Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 90.]
Legation of the United States,
Peking,
August 15, 1864.
Sir: I have the honor to forward correspondence
with the imperial government, (marked A, B, and C,) from which you will
learn of the fall of the rebel capital, Nanking.
Thus, after 13 years of furious fighting against the imperial government,
the “Taiping” rebellion appears to be ended. It is too soon to speculate
as to the effect upon our relations with the Chinese. Their old pride
may be awakened, and a reactionary spirit set in. I do not as yet detect
any signs of this, but rather a greater friendship for us.
I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State, United States.
A.
Note from Prince Kung.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a
courier, travelling with the speed of 600 li (or 200 miles) a day,
who had been despatched by the minister Tsang-kwohfan, arrived here
this morning with the news “that, ten days ago, the city. of Nanking
was taken by assault; so that, at last, it can be reported that this
great undertaking has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Not
one of the ruthless rebels escaped.”
As I know you have been much interested in this siege, I send you
this information immediately, assuring myself that, on hearing of
it, you will participate in our high gratification, and improve the
opportunity to add my best wishes for your happiness.
Cards of—
PRINCE KUNG.
PAN-YUN,
WAN-SIANG,
TSUNG-LUN,
HANG-KI,
TUNG-KIAM, Members of the Board of Foreign
Office.
B.
[Reply to note.]
Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
August —, 1864.
Sir: I have the pleasure to acknowledge the
receipt of your note, in which you inform me of the capture of the
city of Nanking on the 22d of July. This news has given me the
utmost pleasure, and encourages the hope that peace will soon be
restored throughout all the provinces of the empire, so that the
people may everywhere pursue their occupations unmolested.
[Page 439]
In the note from your highness two months since, (about the Alabama,)
you stated that the rebellion in the southern States appeared to you
to place the United States in very much the same condition as China
was in, and I have now the pleasure to inform you that I have also
just heard of a great victory to the armies of the United States. I
can assure you that ever since my arrival in China I have been
greatly interested and anxious respecting her troubles from the
insurgents, and whenever peace has been fully restored in both our
countries we shall be able to congratulate each other with
reciprocal satisfaction.
I avail myself of this occasion to renew the assurance of the high
regard with which I am, sir, your obedient servant,
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung,
&c., &c., &c.
C.
[Reply from Prince
Kung.]
Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: I have the pleasure to acknowledge
your reply to my note respecting the capture of the city of Nanking,
and the destruction or capture of all the chiefs of the rebels, from
which I perceive the agreeable feelings that the news brought by
this last courier from the south has given you.
The cheering accounts which you sent me have likewise given great and
sincere gratification. I am rejoiced to learn that the United States
forces have recently achieved a great victory in their attack on the
southern rebels, a sufficient proof their affairs are progressing
favorably. Both our countries will henceforth alike rejoice in
increasing prosperity and peace until restoration of order
everywhere prevails.
I therefore beg to send you my congratulations, and the assurance of
my earnest and deep desire that such may be the case.
I avail myself of this occasion, when sending you my thanks, to add
the expressions of my best wishes for your daily happiness.
