Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 47.]
Legation of the United States,
Peking,
July 2, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to send you the
correspondence between Prince Wittgenstein and myself, in relation to a
waiver of the time, now little more than four years, within which, by
existing treaty, a Prussian minister cannot reside permanently at
Peking.
The Prussians, having at present an increasing commerce in China, are
desirous of sending at once a minister to Peking. This would facilitate
all negotiations in relation to that commerce, both with the Chinese and
the foreign treaty powers. In view of the advantage to flow from a
relaxation of the treaty in this respect, my colleagues and myself, by
way of friendly suggestion, consented to make a statement of them. To me
the members of the government stated that while they were willing,
personally, to grant the request of Prince Wittgenstein, still if they
did so the anti-foreign party would accuse them of granting more than
was required by the letter of the treaty, and they did not wish to
complicate themselves with new troubles, but they did not positively
refuse to grant the request. Of course I did not press them, for I
sympathize with them in their difficulties. In reply to
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Prince Wittgenstein’s question as to
whether he had better press them for a distinct declaration on the
subject, I advised him to leave the negotiations where they were, so
that at some future time the other ministers and myself might present
the request under more favorable auspices.
In this view my colleagues concur, and the Prince has decided to leave
the question in our hands.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Prince Wittgenstein to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: Allow me, before I proceed to solicit
another favor, to express to your excellency my very sincere thanks
for the very effectual and friendly efforts you have been pleased to
make, at my request, for the purpose of obtaining from the Chinese
government a declaration in regard to the permanent establishment of
the Prussian legation at Peking. Although I have been for some time
quite determined to elicit such a declaration, even at the risk of
being an unfavorable one, I must desire, however, before I take a
definite step in the matter, to know as exactly as possible the
chances on both sides, and I should, under these circumstances, feel
extremely obliged to you if you would be so kind as to inform me how
the representations you caused Dr. Williams to make to the Chinese
government in your name, and on my behalf, have not met, and also
whether you have received a memorandum in reply to that which you
drew up and had presented to the Chinese government. Of that
memorandum I should, at all events, be most happy to possess a copy.
Pardon me for thus troubling you once more; but allow me to say that
I shall feel sincerely obliged to you for the answer to this
communication, with which I trust you will favor me, and for the
advice in regard to my future proceedings, with which I beg you will
accompany it. If this advice should happen to be absolutely adverse
to the definite step which I had, as above mentioned, contemplated,
and if you should be of opinion that by taking it I might not only
incur a flat refusal, but even endanger the success of new
negotiations in regard to this question, possibly to be tried
hereafter, I beg your excellency would be good enough not to
withhold that opinion from me.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
FREDERICK, Prince of
Wittgenstein.
His Excellency the Hon. Anson
Burlingame, Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America,
Peking.
Mr. Burlingame to Prince Wittgenstein
Legation of the United
States, Peking,
July 1, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your very kind despatch of June 30, in which you desire
to know what are the chances of securing a declaration from the
Chinese government in favor of a permanent Prussiaa legation at
Peking, and whether I think it advisable to elicit
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at once a declaration on the subject,
even at the risk of its being unfavorable. With regard to the first
branch of your inquiry, I have to say that from several interviews
with the Chinese, on your behalf, I have learned from them that
while, personally, the members of the government would have no
objection to waive the time stated in the treaty for the advent of a
Prussian minister into Peking, they are so much subject to forms,
and fear so much the criticisms of the anti-foreign party, that they
shrink from any declaration on the subject.
I think if they were pressed for a declaration now, it would be in
the negative; and this brings me to the second branch of your
inquiry, as to whether I think such a step as you had intended
advisable? I answer most unhesitatingly that I think it would not be
advisable. You would thus close the door to that success for which
your admirable diplomacy has prepared the way. If you leave the
question where it is, I feel confident that in a short time the
Chinese themselves will concur with my colleagues and myself in the
propriety of anticipating the time for the permanent residence of a
Prussian minister at Peking.
I have not yet received any answer to the memorandum you mention, but
will hasten to inform you if any shall arrive. I will be happy also
to place in your hands a copy of it as soon as it can be
prepared.
Complimenting you for the manner in which you have thus far conducted
your negotiations, and proffering my services for any future efforts
you may desire to make,
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your
most obedient servant,
Prince Frederick, Sayn de Wittgenstein.
