No. 67.]
Legation of the United States,
Peking,
March 29, 1864.
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, &c., &c.,
&c.
A.
Mr. Burlingame to Prince
Kung
Legation of the United
States,
Peking,
March 25, 1864.
Sir: I beg to acknowledge your imperial
highness’s note of the 16th instant, respecting the rebel
confederate steamer Alabama, or other cruisers sailing under that
flag for the purpose of injuring and destroying the peaceful
merchant-men of the United States, and of your having issued a
proclamation forbidding
[Page 379]
them to enter any of the ports of China, and to express my
gratification at the very kind and prompt manner in which this aid
has been afforded. I have notified the several United States consuls
of the same, that they may aid in carrying the proclamation into
effect, and take such measures of precaution as may be
necessary.
As your highness has informed the ministers of Great Britain, France,
and Russia of this proceeding, I have likewise conferred with them,
and beg to apprise you of their cordial approval of it, and their
pleasure at observing how much his Imperial Majesty’s government
understands the courtesy of international comity, and the
requirements of treaty stipulations towards countries at peace with
China. When the government at Washington learns of this act of the
Chinese government they will then see how desirous you have been to
show your friendly co-operation, and I now anticipate their
acknowledgment by informing you of my own sense of the
proceeding.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung,
&c., &c., &c.
