Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 105.]
Shanghai,
April 22, 1865.
Sir: I send you an imperial edict, marked A,
according to which Prince Kung was to “be no longer employed in the
general council to administer the government,” and was “removed from all
his functions, and no longer permitted to have a voice in public
matters.” I learn from my colleagues, and from Dr. Williams, that from
the explanation of the members of the foreign office, and the attitude
of the people, no apprehensions were entertained on account of the fall
of Prince Kung.
The edict itself was accepted as furnishing all the reasons for the step
taken. That portion of it relating to Wansiang tended rather to
strengthen than to [Page 438] weaken our
relations with the Chinese government, as he has been long known to us
as an enlightened friend.
Since the publication of the edict I learn, unofficially, that Prince
Kung has been restored to his former position. This proves either that
the edict was a clever arrangement on the part of his friends to meet
the charges which have been made against him, or, as is most likely,
that it was the result of a palace feud easily accommodated.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward,
Secretary of State.
[Untitled]
[Translated from the
Peking Gazette of April 3,
1865.]
We command the following to be made known to all the princes and
officers of our court for their information:
We have been honored by the gracious commands of their Majesties, the
two empress dowagers, informing us that on the 31st ultimo Tsai
Shan-ki (a Hanlin graduate) had sent up a memorial stating that “in
the administration of affairs Prince Kung exhibits such favoritism
and greediness for presents, such arrogance and grasping after
power, that people are everywhere discussing his conduct, and
asking, if he manifests such objectionable traits, how can he be
trusted to carry on the government?”
Now, although it may be difficult to substantiate particular charges,
sufficient evidence still exists of the general truth of these
allegations; yet, in examining what is so underhand and obscure, it
is not easy summarily to ascertain the facts. When Prince Kung first
undertook the administration of government he was generally diligent
and circumspect; but he gradually has become overbearing, and puts
himself forward as sole director in a defiant way, relying on his
high rank and power; he has even forgotten his duty to his
sovereign, and has gone so far as to disdainfully ignore us because
of our youth, and often presumptuously restrained our acts. He has
tried to produce dissension in our family in more ways than need
here be specially mentioned. At the daily audiences his manner has
been excessively overbearing, and his language to us has been often
offensively boastful and wildly extravagant.
If we do not speedily make these things known, how can we, when the
day comes for us to assume the government, employ the right men in
its offices, and carry it on properly? It is an instance of our
great leniency that we now pass over this flagrant conduct so mildly
without thorough examination. Let Prince Kung, therefore, be no
longer employed in the general council to administer the government,
but be removed from all his functions, and no longer permitted to
have a voice in public matters. This [sentence] also exhibits our
earnest desire to protect him, as far as possible, [from the just
deserts of his conduct.]
We earnestly enjoin on the members of the general council, who have
the care of many weighty and perplexing matters devolving on them,
to be united in their labors, and prove their diligence and loyalty
in furthering the public welfare. Let Wansiang and his colleagues in
the office which has the oversight of commercial affairs diligently
attend to all their duties, and harmoniously carry on their
proceedings. For the future the duties connected with the audiences
and presentations will devolve in rotation on Prince Tun, Prince
Shun, Prince Chung, and Prince Fan, who will have charge of these
functions.
A special command.
