Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 26.]
Department of State, Washington,
October 25, 1862.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I have
received your kind despatch in reply to No. 12, of mine, and that it is
exceedingly gratifying to me.
Since I last wrote you, Prince Kung and suite have returned my visit. The
conversations were full, frank, and friendly. I have also entered into a
[Page 906]
tolerably extensive
correspondence with his Imperial Highness Prince Kung, as the
communications I send will inform you. The first question for
discussion, directly with the government, arose on the receipt, by the
Prince, of my communication, marked A, requesting that instructions
should be sent to the Chinese authorities at the treaty ports Hankow,
Kiukiang, Newchwang, and Tientsin, to recognize the newly appointed
consuls at those places. This they had, in a manner, refused to do,
because these consuls were men engaged in trade. In support of their
position, they cited a casual remark in a letter written by one of my
predecessors, Mr. Reed, to the effect that the United States did not
appoint as consul any men thus engaged—a remark totally without the
authority of precedent or law. Prince Kung, in his reply, marked B,
taking the extract from Mr. Reed for law, proceeds to make complaint
that such men should be appointed. In my reply, marked C, I maintain our
right to appoint them. I refer to the fact that the French and Russians
have, in China, such consuls, and explain the meaning, as far as I can,
of Mr. Reed’s language, and ask the Prince if it is not better, where we
have large trade, to have these men rather than none at all. The result
has been, that while, as yet, they do not admit in any despatch my
position, they have in interviews done so, and have sent, or say they
have, the proper instructions to their officers.
I think, myself, that the policy of appointing men engaged in trade not a
good one; but it was necessary to have some one, and I did the best I
could, and selected men of such excellent character as to preclude all
idea of corruption. Still, the business houses, not having consuls,
imagine that they are taken at a disadvantage, and complain. I,
therefore, earnestly recommend that, at the ports of Hankow, Kiukiang,
and Tientsin, the consuls should be salaried. The next subject for
communication, rather than discussion, is disclosed in the communication
of Prince Kung, marked D, in which he states that he has received a
communication from the governor of Kiangsei, informing him that the
rebels had raised 500,000 taels with which to purchase steamers in the
United States, and begs, after thanking me for what I had already done
in that direction, that I would write again to my government, warning it
against the intentions of the rebels. Not receiving an immediate reply
to that communication, as I was at Tientsin, where I had gone to meet my
family, he addressed another communication to me, marked E, in which he
reiterates his statement about steamers, and makes a grave charge
against my countrymen for selling arms to rebels, and urges me to stop
them. In my reply, marked F, I stated the origin of the rumor about the
purchase of steamers, that I had heard it as early as December last,
when I immediately communicated it to my government, from which I had
received a reply that it had no knowledge of any such transactions. I
intimated that this was a revival of that rumor, and stated that there
could be no danger from the rebels on the sea, because of the
overwhelming force opposed to them there. As to the selling of arms, of
which he justly complained, I told him that I had, ever since I had been
in the empire, done all I could to prevent such things, and that all the
officials of the United States had done the same thing, and were still
ready so to do; that he had brought no specific charges against my
countrymen. I denounced the trade in contraband articles, and said that
I was ready, and ever had been, to consult and co-operate with the
officers of his government and those of the treaty powers, to the end
that this traffic might be prevented; that my countrymen, equally with
his own, were suffering from lawless men. I pointed out the dangerous
practice, on the part of Chinese officials, of granting “permits” to
land arms, by which this trade could be facilitated. I stated,
specifically, in that communication, and orally, to be communicated to
Prince Kung, that these “permits” had prevented the seizure of arms. Mr.
Bruce, the British minister, when he heard that I had made this
suggestion, immediately supported it in the most positive language, and
said to the medium of communication, in substance, that “standing
[Page 907]
together here we will do our
part, and the Chinese government must do its duty.”
The Chinese government is sorely tried by rebels, lawless foreigners, and
corrupt local officials. But I hope for the best. There is one great man
in the government, Wensiang, who is master of the situation, and who
comprehends the grave condition of affairs, and earnestly and
uncorruptibly strives to maintain the integrity of the government. The
representations of the treaty powers, without exception, sympathize with
the government. If it can maintain itself for a few years the danger
will be passed and order restored peacefully, without subjecting the
whole empire to one of those gigantic struggles through which nations
sometimes pass when moving from a lower to a higher form of
civilization.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington,
D. C.
A.
Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
Legation of the united
states, Peking,
August 29, 1862.
The undersigned (with titles) begs to inform your imperial highness
that he appointed Mr. William Breck, an American, to act as consul
for the United States at the port of Kiukiang, in January of the
present year, and that he has entered upon the duties of his office
at that place. In communicating this, the undersigned, as it
behooves him, requests that orders may be transmitted to the proper
local authorities of that port to receive the consul in a friendly
manner, aid him in obtaining suitable dwellings or in leasing ground
for building them, and exert themselves to promote amicable
relations, so that everything may proceed to the common advantage of
all parties.
The undersigned desires, likewise, to inform your imperial highness
that, in May of last year, the acting commissioner of the United
States, Commodore Stribling, appointed Mr. Charles D. Williams to
act as American consul at the port of Hankow, and that he has also
entered on the duties of his office; it is proper to request that
the local authorities there may be instructed to receive him in that
capacity, and extend to him all the facilities in fulfilling its
duties that the treaty requires.
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, Secretary-in-Chief for Foreign
Affairs.
B.
Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame
Prince Kung, secretary-in-chief for foreign affairs, herewith sends
in reply: I have received your excellency’s despatch of the 29th
ultimo, in which you state that you have appointed William Breck to
perform the functions of consul of the United States at the port of
Kiukiang, and that Charles D. Williams has gone to the port of
Hankow to act as United States consul, requesting that orders be
transmitted to the local officers at those ports to receive both
these officials, and facilitate them in the execution of their
duties, as far as the treaty requires, &c., &c.
[Page 908]
I see, on referring to a despatch of Mr. Reed, the late United States
minister, dated November 10, 1858, sent to the high minister
Kweiliang, and others, then imperial commissioners, that he says,
“as to consuls being engaged in trade, the law of his country now is
that no one shall be consul who is engaged in trade;” yet the consul
of the United States at Kiukiang, Mr. Breck, the acting consul at
Hankow, Mr. Williams, and also Mr. J. B. Forbes, the acting consul
at Tientsin, who have all been appointed by United States ministers,
are each and all persons who cannot by this law be engaged in
trade.
Further, I have lately received a despatch from the general in charge
at Shinking that the acting United States consul, Mr. Knight, at
Ninchwang, has opened a house of business called the Tungchinhong,
and this also is in contravention of the despatch of Mr. Reed.
I have, therefore, in communicating these points to your excellency,
to request that you will examine them and inform me whether or no
such instructions can be sent to these consuls, that they need no
longer engage in trade.
His Excellency A. Burlingame, United States Minister to China.
C.
Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
Department of State, Washington,
October 24, 1862.
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary, &c., &c., has the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your Imperial Highness’s communication
of the 21st instant, in which you refer to the fact that the acting
American consul at Ninchwang, Mr. Knight, has established a
commercial house, and that this proceeding is contrary to the
stipulations of the treaties with foreign powers. The undersigned
has examined in relation to this point, and can find no stipulation
in the treaties forbidding a man who is engaged in trade to perform
consular functions, and (begs to add) that both the French and
Russian nations have also consuls, who are likewise merchants. In
respect to the reply of the late United States minister, Mr. Reed,
upon this point, it may be observed that it referred to the consuls
of the United States then at the five ports, to which places the
government has designated officers with salaries; but it has not yet
done so with regard to the newly opened ports, as Hankow, Tientsin,
Ninchwang, &c. If persons who are suitable for such posts are
not temporarily appointed to do their duties at ports like these,
where American ships come in great numbers, then to whom shall
consular functions be intrusted? Is it not much better to have some
one in the office than to let it remain vacant? Such a course cannot
be considered to be against propriety; and these remarks will also
serve for a reply to the despatch of your highness of the 3d of
September. Both that communication and the one under reply shall be
forwarded to the United States, and when the government sends
officers to fill these consulates, notice of the same shall be
given.
With respect to the conduct of Mr. Knight, in becoming surety for
Tang Sing-kii, who owed money to Li Hanwan, the undersigned has no
information, but will make inquiry into the circumstances, and then
communicate on the matter. He need here only state that he will
allow nothing to be done which is improper, nor permit any one to
screen a person in wrong-doing for his own private ends.
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, Principal Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, &c., &c., &c.
[Page 909]
D.
[Translation.]
Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame
September 20,
1862, Tungchi, 1st
year, 8th moon, 21th day.
Prince Kung, principal secretary of state for foreign affairs,
herewith sends a communication.
On the 13th of last April the governor of the province of Kiangie
informed me as follows:
“I have heard it rumored that the Taiping rebels have employed
certain unprincipled merchants to go to the United States and
privately buy steamers, arms and cannon, and have advanced 500,000
taels for this purpose. When Mr. Burlingame, the American minister,
reached Shanghai, I laid the proofs of this report before him. He
replied that he had also heard it, and had already written to his
government, to the end that investigation might be made and the
proceedings stopped. His sentiments were most cordial and earnest.
General Ward, of the Invincibles, had likewise requested him to
write, as soon as possible, to prevent the scheme.”
From this despatch I have learned that as soon as your excellency
heard that the Taiping rebels had engaged unscrupulous traders to go
to the United States to purchase vessels and cannon, you instantly
wrote to have the thing stopped. Sich, the commissioner of the
ports, had also learned the same facts at a subsequent
interview.
I shall also myself be obliged if you will again write, since I have
such full evidence of your friendly wishes towards this country. The
rebels are full of schemes, and the traders stick at nothing for
gain, so that I am afraid, our precautions being inadequate, lest
they elude our vigilance, and we suffer through their
craftiness.
I make this communication, therefore, that your excellency may again
request a precautionary search to be made (in the United States) and
the purchase of these articles by the rebels prevented.
His Excellency Anson Burlingame, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary U. S. A. to
China.
Note.—The term rendered above “Taiping
rebels,” is “hairy insurgents,” in the original.
E.
[Translation.]
Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame
October 12,
1862. (Tungchi, first year,
intercalary 8th moon, 18th day.)
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith
sends a communication.
The governor of Kiangsie having reported to me that he had heard it
rumored that the (Taiping) rebels had employed crafty traders to go
privately to the United States to buy vessels and cannon, for which
purpose they had deposited the sum of 500,000 taels, I immediately
made it known to your excellency, to the end that you might write to
your country and have the matter inquired into in time. The purport
of that despatch was limited to informing you of the conduct of the
rebels in sending, in this underhand way, to the United States to
buy articles.
[Page 910]
More recent information, from ports along the sea-coast and rivers,
confirms the previous accounts that traders, belonging to the United
States, have been carrying arms and cannon through the country to
sell to the rebels, and rendering them assistance, all with the
object of getting gain; and thus it has come to pass that General
Ward, who recently lost his life in the engagement near Ningpo, was,
as it is rumored, wounded by a shot from a foreign gun. It can but
be inferred that if there were no merchants to surreptitiously sell
these weapons, how could the rebels otherwise obtain them, and kill
our men? Furthermore, I am told that foreigners, armed with similar
ones, aid them in destroying and resisting our officers.
The United States has long been at peace with China, and friendly
relations are daily becoming more sincere; but when one learns that
General Ward, an American, sacrificed his life in defending the
cause of China, while men of the same race readily aid the rebel,
and do all they can to prevent the continuance of peaceful
relations, it is difficult to understand the reasons. Though it is
impossible to tell certainly of what nation these men are, still,
such a state of things must implicate the reputation of your
country, and I, accordingly, inform your excellency, in the hope
that you will presently despatch orders to the (American) consuls at
the ports, requiring them to take strict measures to prevent their
countrymen from secretly selling arms to the rebels, or aiding them
in any manner. The conduct of these contrabandista, in the
first-mentioned instance, was sufficiently important for our taking
instant measures to stop their proceedings; but their criminality in
this case is still more heinous, and no trifling with the matter
should be allowed, (by the consuls,) lest the position of the United
States be compromised, and the integrity of China be destroyed. If,
however, my suggestions be followed, both our interests will be
preserved.
I have already issued the most positive orders to all the local
authorities along the coasts, and in those regions, urging them to
increase their vigilance, and requiring them to seize any one,
whether foreigner or native, who may be found smuggling arms, and
punish them to the full extent of the laws without the least delay.
I trust that you will also be so good as to look into this matter,
and favor me with a reply; for the purpose of this communication is
to inform you of all these particulars, and that such orders have
been forwarded to the provinces.
His Excellency Anson Burlingame, United States Minister, &c.,
&c.
F.
Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the United States to China, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of two communications from Prince Kung, principal secretary of state
for foreign affairs, one dated September 20, and the other October
12, calling attention to a supposed violation of treaty on the part
of his countrymen, by trading in steamers and arms contrary to
law.
To these communications the undersigned has the honor to reply that
as early as December last he learned, through Chief Justice Adams,
of Hong Kong, that the Rev. Mr. Roberts, then in the rebel service,
had informed him of an intention, on the part of the rebels, to
purchase steamers in the United States, and that they had raised the
sum of money your highness mentions for that purpose. He immediately
addressed a communication to his government, stating what he had
heard. To that communication he received a reply, informing him that
after careful inquiry the government could not learn of any
transaction of
[Page 911]
the kind.
He subsequently met Mr. Roberts, after he had declared against the
rebels, and inquired concerning the report; Mr. Roberts informed him
that the rebels intended to have purchased steamers, but that,
having no money, they had abandoned the idea of doing so. He is
inclined to believe, unless your highness has certain knowledge to
the contrary, that the present report is but a reiteration of the
Roberts story. The rebels could not hope to do anything with
steamers, for the imperial forces, with the war vessels of the
treaty powers, would not permit them to float one day in safety. He
will, however, call the attention of his government once more to the
subject, and do all he can to prevent the citizens of his country
from violating, in any way, the treaty.
With regard to the selling of arms to the rebels, and other
contraband articles, of which your highness justly complains, he has
to say that ever since he has been in the empire he has, by word and
by deed, made every possible effort to prevent his countrymen from
doing these things. At Ningpo and Shanghai, his country’s consuls,
with his sanction and under his direction, aided in seizing arms,
and will do so again. He is ready, and so are all the officers of
the United States, on land and sea, to consult and co-operate with
the officers of the Emperor and the treaty powers, to the end that
trade in contraband articles may be prevented. His honest
countrymen, equally with those of your highness, are suffering from
the lawless conduct of a few villains, who are lending themselves to
murder for gain. Your highness does not call the attention of the
undersigned to any specific violation of treaty by his countrymen He
is not aware that there is any certain evidence that the brave
General Ward was shot by any foreigner, much less by one of his own
countrymen. The undersigned would call your highness’s attention to
what he deems the dangerous practice, on the part of the Chinese
officials, of granting permits to parties to land arms, to be held
in port until they may be purchased by the Chinese government. When
so placed, it is almost impossible to prevent a portion of them from
being diverted from their legitimate use. The undersigned has reason
to believe that when his country’s officers have sought to seize
arms, as contraband, they have thus been protected.
The undersigned renews to your highness assurances of his high
consideration.
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung.
