Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have the honor to infrom you that Lu, the governor of Kiangsee, refused to receive a letter from George F. Seward, esq., our consul at Shanghai, for the reason that he (Seward) was not of equal rank.
The superintendent of trade, Seik, is by position above the rank of consul, and below that of minister, and when he chooses, may refuse to correspond with either. The French, Prussian, Spanish, and Belgian governments have conferred upon their consuls the title of consuls general, to meet these and other diffculties.
The English government is about to do the same. I would suggest that it would be wise to confer the same rank upon our most worthy consul, Mr. Seward. This it appears may be done, according to the 3d section of the article of Congress, approved August 18, 1856, where it is provided that if the President “shall think the public interests will be subserved by appointing to any such port or place a consul general, instead of a consul or commercial agent, an appointment shall be made accordingly.”
The reasons for doing it, in this case, are so obvious that I am sure nothing more is necessary than to call the attention of the President to them, to secure early and favorable action.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.