Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward.
No. 6.]
Shanghai,
December 24, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I
arrived at this place Saturday, the 21st of December.
I here learn that Ningpo, a city about ninety miles from this place, has
fallen before the rebels.
[Page 826]
The manner in which it was taken I have learned from despatches which 1
have just received from our consul, Mr. Breck, copies of which, marked
A, B, C, and D, I herewith send.
From those you will learn that Ningpo, after years of threatening, was
gradually approached and finally taken after a feeble defence.
In the terror created by the rebel approach, the consuls of the foreign
nations, including our own, met at the British consulate to concert
measures of safety for their countrymen. They made a statement of their
views, which, by the hands of Mr. Breck, was placed before the rebels
and responded to by them.
It will be perceived that the consuls held an attitude of neutrality, and
warned the rebels against any injury to their countrymen, and that the
rebels cordially accepted their views and guaranteed the safety of the
property and lives of the foreigners. It is evident, from the answers of
the rebel generals, (copies of which, full of errors, just as they came
to me, I enclose,) that they imagined that they were treating with the
foreign officials, and that they were delighted at securing so great a
recognition.
It may be barely possible that the imperial government may suggest that
the consuls went too far; but it may be replied that the government
failed to do its duty, and the consuls did the best they could under the
circumstances. It is clear that we cannot rocognize the rebels without a
violation of our treaty obligations, and I shall, in this most delicate
condition of affairs, act with the greatest caution.
The news this morning is that the rebels, so far from preserving order,
are robbing and killing in the most barbarous manner. As to trade, they
wish to buy only arms and opium, and men are trading with them in these
articles to the great injury of legal commerce. There is great anxiety
touching the future. If the rebels continue to hold Ningpo, the whole
system by which duties are collected, which has been settled with
infinite trouble, will be menaced. ,
Sir Admiral Hope, with Mr. Parkes, left this morning for Nankin to inform
the rebels that if they approach within thirty miles of Shanghai they
would be attacked. The English and French are covering every point of
danger with their numerous soldiers and war vessels, and I must write
that I feel quite sad when I remember that we have not one soldier or
sailor in all this region.
I shall probably go to Ningpo to see what I can do for my countrymen and
to aid our consul in this most serious time.
I send copies of letters from the English and Russian ministers.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
A.
United States Consulate,
Ningpo,
December 10, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to advise you in
regard to the present state of affairs at this port, and the
measures adopted by the official representatives of treaty powers
for the protection of life and property.
The approach of the rebel army upon Ningpo has been very gradual, and
many times during the past few years it has been rumored that the
city was about to be besieged. Until within a few weeks past,
however, the people have continued in the city pursuing their usual
avocations and but little alarm excited. About six or eight weeks
since the insurgents captured some of the towns and cities in the
interior which commanded the approach to Ningpo. The people of
[Page 827]
this city became
terror-stricken, and before the rebels had approached within thirty
miles of Ningpo the city became deserted, every place of business
closed, and all property of value removed; the Chinese on the
foreign settlement side deserted their homes, and, in view of the
existing state of affairs and the anxiety naturally felt amongst
foreigners, a meeting was held at her Majesty’s consulate on the
28th November, as per copy minutes marked enclosure No. 1.
With this communication I proceeded to Yu-yaou, thirty miles into the
interior, in her Majesty’s gunboat Kestrel, (her Majesty’s consul
remaining at Ningpo,) and presented the same to the general
commanding the rebel forces, and had a long personal interview, in
which the lives and property of foreigners were most amply
guaranteed. For copy translation of the reply to this communication
of the general commanding I beg reference to enclosure marked No. 2;
and for reply to General Fan, commanding another division of the
insurgent forces, approaching the city in an opposite direction, and
to whom two days subsequently was presented the same communication,
I beg reference to enclosure marked No. 3.
On Friday of the last week the insurgents arrived opposite the city
walls; on Saturday and Sunday slight skirmishes were had,
preparatory to a final and determined attack at the south gate.
Yesterday morning at 9 o’clock the walls were scaled, the imperial
forces fled, and the rebels are now in possession of the city. The
taoutai and admiral commanding escaped; the che-foo and district
magistrate were killed. There were but few killed on either side,
and, since the possession of the city, no outrages have been known
to be committed by the rebels.
In this anomalous state of affairs arises the question what course is
to be pursued by foreign powers in regard to the customs and various
relations which must exist in our intercourse with these people. I
have had conference with her Majesty’s consul, but no decided course
of action has been adopted, and I have great hesitation. I have
decided to await advice from the legation, and I would most urgently
invite your excellency to come to Ningpo, that, by your. personal
observation and with a perfect understanding of the state of affairs
existing, you may be able to judge of the right policy to
pursue.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM BRECK, Acting United States
Consul, Ningpo.
Hon. Anson Burlingame,
United States Minister,&c., &c.,
Shanghai.
B.
Minutes of a
conference held at her Britannic Majesty’s consulate,
Ningpo, Thursday, the
28th day of November,
1861.
Present: William Breck, esq., United States consul; Monsieur Leon
Obry, Imperial Majesty’s navy, commanding steamer Confucius;
Lieutenant Henry Haxham, royal navy, commanding her Majesty’s
gunboat Kestrel.
This conference has been appointed to be held this day, at her
Britannic Majesty’s consulate, in consequence of the threatened
advance of the insurgent forces on Ningpo, and the well grounded
reports of their immediate arrival here, with the view of capturing
the city. It can only be a source of deep regrets to the undersigned
to see Ningpo attacked and exposed to the horrors and destruction
consequent on its becoming the scene of a struggle between the rival
parties; but, as the undersigned do not consider themselves
authorized by their
[Page 828]
instructions to afford a military protection to the town of Ningpo,
or to take any active measures against the insurgents, all that is
left for them to do is to afford protection to the persons and
property of their respective countrymen, and the means of escape to
them, should the authorities attempt to defend the city, and escape
become necessary.
In the present uncertainty as to the real movements of the rebel
forces, and more especially as to their intentions in regard to
foreigners, on the arrival at Ningpo, the undersigned, after
consultation, have agreed that it would be highly expedient for the
security and confidence of foreigners that a direct and personal
communication should be held with the insurgents before their
immediate approach to Ningpo, for the purpose, in the first place,
of ascertaining their instructions, and secondly, of conveying to
them the course which the undersigned intend to pursue on the
insurgents’ arrival.
With this view it has been decided that the undersigned shall proceed
this day on board her Majesty’s gunboat Kestrel to the rebel
headquarters, either at Yu-Yaou, or wherever they may be found,
between that city and Ningpo, and having obtained an interview with
the insurgent leaders, to convey to them verbally, as well as in
writing, the following message:
First. That the undersigned take no part in the civil contest, but
they claim exemption from injury and annoyance at the hands of both
parties, and that they will expect full and ample reparation if they
are in any way molested.
Second. That the undersigned would urge in the most earnest manner,
on grounds of Christianity and humanity, before the leaders and body
of the Taiping army, the benefits to them of not disgracing their
cause by the commission of excesses, either in the locality they now
occupy or on their arrival at Ningpo.
Third. That the first and paramount duty of the undersigned being the
protection of the lives and property of their respective countrymen,
they desire to inform the leaders of the Taiping body that the
quarters of Ningpo, where foreigners are principally located, being
quite distinct from the city, and on a branch of the river
separating the two, care must be taken by the Taiping leaders and
men from coming on the foreign settlement side, as such a step might
lead to serious evils, and in all probability complicate questions
between them and foreigners.
Fourth. That whether in or out of the city, or the foreign
settlements, or elsewhere in the suburbs where their countrymen
reside, the lives and property of those countrymen must be cared for
and respected—not the least attempts being made to injure or annoy
them—and the undersigned cannot but strongly urge on the leaders the
serious consideration of this last and important recommendation.
Done at Ningpo, at her Britannic Majesty’s consulate, at the time and
place above given.
WILLIAM BRECK, United States
Consul,
L. OBRY, Capitaine du
Confucius.
FREDERICK HARVEYHer Majesty’s
Consul.
HENRY HAXHAM, Com’g Her Majesty’s Steamer
Kestrel.
[Page 829]
C.
Copy translation of communication of General
Fan, native commander of one portion of the Taiping army, on its
approach to Ningpo, in reply to joint communication of consuls;
&c., as per above.
Pursuant to the truly heavenly edict of the Taiping heavenly realm,
(from) the royal city, the Taou-nyih, (destroyer of rebellion, a
title of nobility,) General Fan, native, answer to the English
consul, &c, Ningpo, Harvey; the American consul, &c, Breck;
the English naval commander Haxham, and the French naval commander
Obry, most respectfully, that by this reply to your communication
your hearts may be at rest. Inasmuch as the Heavenly Father, the
Emperor Lord and Sovereign (or august) God, and the Heavenly brother
Jesus sent my truly sacred Lord, the Heavenly King, down to this
world to govern China with the design of destroying the imps and
saving the people, and of lightening up the inhabitants of China,
therefore I, the native commander, have reverently received this
special edict to conquer the regions beyond (Nankin) and extend the
Taiping dominions, in order solely to save the people and punish
offenders. Now, my brave army has reached Ningpo, (foo,) with
intentions of taking the foo city and make it the base of
operations, and thus restore quiet to the people.
I have at this junction received your communication and fully
appealed its imports, and what you have said I, the native
commander, fully agree to. It is, of course, plainly my duty thus to
warn the soldiers, that they may, revering the mercy (literally, the
heart) of heaven, abstain from all disorderly conduct. It is my wish
that you may be free from anxiety.
In reference to the day of which we spoke in our personal interview,
you will certainly abstain from mentioning it. Let us be perfectly
sincere, (literally, make sincerity our basis.)
The houses, persons, and property belonging to (citizens of) each of
your honorable countries I, the native commander, and bound most
stringently to forbid the soldiers from molesting in the slightest
degree.
With respect to your honorable countries, merchandise, and their
business going on as before, let them be buying and selling with
even greater equity, and (the soldiers) will by no means dare to rob
and plunder. The words of a gentleman are all to be depended upon,
for then his faithfulness (sincerity) can by no means be
changed.
A special reply to your communication with salutations, I also send
papers, (i. e., posters, to be posted upon
houses belonging to American citizens.)
11th year, 10th month, 22d day of the
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
D.
Copy communication (translation) from general of
left division (hong) of the Taiping army on its approach to
Ningpo, in reply to joint communication of consuls, &c., as
per annexed.
Pursuant to the heavenly edict (of) the Taiping heavenly realm, (of)
the heavenly dynasty from the royal city, (literally, nine gates,
epithet of division of the army of Nankin ?)
the founder of the dynasty, (from his) royal official residence, the
commander of the left division, the Paout-an nyi, (probably a title
of nobility,) (Wong) makes this communication to the American
consul, &c, at Ningpo, Breck; the English consul, &c,
Harvey; the English [French] naval
[Page 830]
commander Obry, respectively, requesting their
consideration, in order that we may concert peaceful measures.
It is understood that since the creation of the world, then in China
and foreign countries. In China we got our lord, (emperor,) and so
with every foreign country; they have their rulers, &c. I speak
concerning the Ching, (present dynasty;) they are nothing but
barbarians, and they have disguisedly entered China and overlook the
government ever since the time of the former “Ming” dynasty, and
have polluted the customs and rules of the place, on account of
which they are inexcusable. It was two hundred more years up to now,
and their sins are much exaggerated; therefore they have caused our
Heavenly Father to be very angry, but our Heavenly Brother, Jesus
Christ, is full of compassion to save the world, who intentionally
sent the Sacred Lord, the “Tui-Wong,” to come down to the world, in
order to clean away the barbarians, and to replace everything for
the re-establishment of Hou dynasty.
This is the time when to see heaven and men on agreeably mutualized,
and this is the very time when to see the kingdom to be altered. And
now I, the general, have respectfully received the sacred command,
and with a large army have reached from north to south of this
empire, for to save the people and punish the wicked. Is not this
act, on my part, to save the people agreeable to the command of the
court, and in not so also to cut down all wicked for the
consequently, wherever place I entered, the people, with their
vessels containing victuals, &c, came out to meet me and welcome
my army. At present my great army has come to Chit-Kiang province;
and it has been told to me that you, honorable countries (consuls)
of Ningpo, have come to Yu-Yaou, and as I, the general, and always
bearing in mind the good meaning of harmony, and not wishing to see
the injury of each other, have to request that you would make this
known to every officer and soldier of your respective nations, that
when my army arrives at Ningpo my men will not be allowed to go
abroad and to disturb the houses and properties of the people, nor
allowed to hurt the life of any man of your respective nations. I,
the general, will certainly give orders to my officers and soldiers
about the same; and, should there be any of bad officers or soldiers
who daringly cross over and make any disturbance, be good enough to
take hold of such wicked men and hand over to me, where I, the
general, will most undoubtedly cut off his head; and, supposing
there should be any unlawful man of your honorable countries,
(consuls,) would also direct such men to come back and not to help
them at all, which act will show that we are in harmony, and our
agreement will never be disregarded, and begging you to be assured
in mind about this harmony, &c, &c.
Wishing you daily happiness,
Dated Taiping,
Tui Kock, 11th year, 10th moon, and 19th
day, i. e., November 21,
1861.
[Untitled]
Peking,
December 3, 1861.
Sir: It was with a real pleasure that I
learned your appointment as envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of the United States in China.
The friendly intercourse of all our predecessors made me always
desire the presence of a representative of your government in
Peking, and I therefore look forward with impatience to prove once
more towards your excellency those sentiments of sincere friendship
which have always existed between our respective governments. I am
very sorry to state that the advanced season will not permit a
personal acquaintance with you before the beginning of the spring,
but let me assure you that I shall be most happy to be in anything
useful to the success
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of
your mission, and avail myself of this occasion to pray your
excellency to agree the high consideration, sir, of your most
obedient servant.
His Excellency Mr. A. Burlingame,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States to China, &c.,
&c.
[Untitled]
Peking,
December 3, 1861.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your excellency’s letter, informing me of your
appointment as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the United States in China, and of your assumption of the duties of
that office.
The cordial and friendly relations that existed between his
excellency Mr.Ward and myself during a very eventful period in China
have always been a source of much gratification to myself, and I can
assure your excellency that you will find in me a sincere
disposition to continue those relations on the same footing with
yourself. The interests of our two governments in this country are
absolutely identical, and united action cannot fail to promote
them.
I may state that the beneficial results of direct intercourse with
the highest officers of this empire are becoming more and more
manifest in proportion as that intercourse is extended.
I avail myself of this occasion to express to your excellency the
assurance of my highest consideration.