Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward

No. 45.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I received a letter from Mr. Cunningham, asking that a new gate might be opened in the walls of the city of Shanghai, of which the following is an extract: “You will observe on the plan that there is a piece of open ground running from the French gate to the proposed new gate. This is the nearest unoccupied ground to the river, and instead of being highly useful, by giving room to Chinese engaged in trade, is now a series of green and stagnant ponds, receptacles of filth, and breeding disease. The city has become closely packed with people, particularly that quarter nearest the river. The suburbs, now the French concession, is also peopled densely, and more space is greatly required. Here is a piece of ground, capable of being of the greatest convenience to a multitude, worse than useless—simply breeding disease. Further, the houses in that quarter being of one story and of poor construction, it would be exceedingly feasible to open a street direct to the heart of the city, of 24 feet wide, thus opening an avenue for air and health, which would be invaluable, while, as already stated, it would give the Chinese authorities a direct and dignified access to the foreign settlement. Indeed, there cannot be a question of its [Page 954] being a great public improvement. No one would gainsay it. There is now but the little east gate to serve for the egress and ingress of the whole mass of the people living in that closely-packed quarter of the city. The crowd is so dense at it that one can scarcely move. Being the quarter nearest the river, it is the most important, and consequently most crowded. This new gate would be better placed, even, than the little east gate opposite to it; the space to the river bank is narrowest, and it would immediately become the main thoroughfare out of the city. Added to all these reasons, the occupation of the land and the opening of a handsome street would add materially to the revenue of the city—a reason likely to have much weight just now with the Chinese authorities. The ground, then, upon which I apply is that of health to the foreign settlement, and especially to that particular quarter. There is no means of draining except by a new gate. If Prince Kung can be induced to make the inquiry of the Taoutai, he will certainly have a very favorable answer, for no one can look at the place without being struck with the importance of the proposition.

“Yours, very truly,

“EDW. CUNNINGHAM.”

I immediately represented these views to the Chinese authorities, who made reply that they would instruct the local authorities to have, if they thought best, these improvements made, and permitted me to inform Mr. Cunningham of their intentions. I at once addressed to Mr. Cunningham the letter marked A.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.

A.

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Cunningham

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that immediately upon the receipt of your humane suggestion, to improve the sanitary condition of Shanghai by the construction of a new gate, and the drainage of stagnant water from before the city, I applied to the authorities at Peking, and requested that they would inquire of the local authorities of Shanghai as to the necessity for these improvements, and, if the Chinese desired, to permit them to be made. I was at once informed that instructions would be sent to the local authorities to have the improvements made, if they thought best. I asked them if I should make known to you these instructions. They said yes. I accordingly inform you of the same, and express the gratification I feel in being able to do something for the health of the people of Shanghai.

I have, &c.,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

Edward Cunningham, Esq.