Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 59.]
Legation of the United States,
Peking,
November 26, 1863.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your despatch No. 32, covering circular No. 39. I need not
inform you how great was my gratification at reading the circular. There
could not be a more lucid history of our victorious period. Our
diplomatic circle was charmed with it, and exulted with me in the hopes
it awakened. The glorious news of Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Port Hudson
reached us by the way of Russia, and it would have given you pleasure to
have seen how warmly I was congratulated upon if by every member of the
other legations. The sympathy for us here is real, as you learned from
my despatch No. 56, in which I called your attention to the noble
conduct of Sir Frederick Bruce, the British minister, in relation to the
flotilla. I now send a letter of thanks as addressed by me to him, to
which I beg leave respectfully to call your attention.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
Mr. Burlingame to Sir Frederick Bruce.
Legation of this United
States,
Peking
November 7, 1863.
Sir: When the Chinese government refused to
rectify the doings of Mr. Lay, and there was nothing left for
Captain Osborn but to dissolve the force of the flotilla, the
question was, how it could be done with safety. I feared that the
ships might fall into the hands of the confederates, who were
supposed to have agents in China; and then there was the common
apprehension from lawless men on the coast, in the interests of the
Taepings, as well as from pirates, and the desire of the Daimios in
Japan to procure steamers at any price. It was clear that the
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Chinese could do nothing
of themselves with the steamers, and that unless something were done
they would certainly fall a prey to one of these several dangers. In
my solicitude on account of the rebels in my own country, I made an
earnest protest against the delivery of the ships to the Chinese.
You responded in that spirit of comity which has ever distinguished
our relations, that the ships should be taken back to England, and
that no effort on your part should be spared to prevent them from
taking a direction against the interests of my country.
Though subsequent events made it necessary for the ships to take the
direction indicated by the desire of the Chinese themselves, still I
should be wanting in appreciation of your conduct did I not mark it
with my most heartfelt thanks, and at as early a period as possible
bring it to the attention of my government.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Sir Frederick Bruce,
British Minister.
