Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 134.]
Legation of the United States,
Peking, April 10, 1867.
Sir: I am happy to bring to your attention
certain Chinese memorials and replies (A, B, and C) relating to the
establishment of an institution at Peking by the government for giving
instruction in the arts and sciences of the west.
As long ago as 1862 the Chinese government established the “
Tung-Wan-Kwan,” a language school, and invited English, French, and
Russian teachers to give instructions in their departments. The pupils,
selected from the Manchu bannermen, lads not far from fourteen years
old, have made respectable progress during the past five years. From
those instructed in English by Dr. W. A. P. Martin (American) were
selected two to accompany Pin Chun to Europe for the purpose of making
inquiries respecting western improvements.
While this school is to be continued, the Chinese have wisely determined
to establish a higher department or college, and to call upon the great
scholars of the empire over twenty years of age to come forward and
compete in a new field for the highest honors of the government. To this
end Mr. Hart, inspector general of customs, with whom these progressive
views originated, was instructed to procure eminent scholars as
instructors.
He has done this, and the Chinese have now a body of distinguished savans
[Page 473]
in their service. Dr. W.
A. P. Martin, the translator of “Wheaton’s International Law,” is the
senior professor, and by courtesy the head of the college.
The institution is under the general direction of “Sen-Ki-Yu” as
president. “Sen” you will recall as a distinguished member of the
foreign office, who received his promotion for his geographical labors,
for which he had previously been degraded.
Could there be a greater evidence of progress than is disclosed by these
papers ? I marvel as I read them, and call your attention to them with
infinite pleasure.
When I came to China, in 1861, the force policy was the rule. It was said
“the Chinese are conceited barbarians, and must be forced into our
civilization ;” or, in the energetic language of the time, it was said,
“you must take them by the throat.” Fortunately, the representatives of
the treaty powers did not listen to this view. Conspicuous among these
was Sir Frederick Bruce, the British minister, who with his colleagues
said that if force was ever necessary the day for it was over; that we
were in relations for the first time with the chiefs of the government,
and that it was necessary to proffer fair diplomatic action as a
substitute for the old views, and to so bear ourselves as to secure the
confidence of this people. Accordingly the policy was adopted of which
you have been advised so often, and which you have approved so fully.
Under this policy great development has occurred, missions have
extended, trade has increased three-fold, scientific men have been
employed, “Wheaton’s International Law” translated and adopted, military
instruction accepted, nearly one hundred able men received into the
civil service, steamboats multiplied, the way slowly opened forfuture
telegraphs and railroads, and now we have this great movement for
education. Against this movement there has been continued opposition
among the Chinese, and it has been frequently endangered by the
inconsiderate action of foreigners impatient of delay; but there has
been no successful reaction, and the intention of those now in authority
is to go cautiously and steadily forward.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
A.
[Translation.]
A careful memorial to the throne from the foreign
office on the establishment of an institution for giving
instruction in the arts and sciences of the west.
The object of the present memorial is to lay before your Majesties a
proposition for inviting our officers and educated men to study
astronomy and mathematics, with a view to acquiring a thorough
acquaintance with the arts of the west; and we respectfully request
directions from the throne upon the same.
We are of opinion, that, in opening such a school, and seeking for
pupils of a proper capacity, we have no ancient rule to guide us,
other than the maxim, that if the principle of selection be broad,
men of ability will contend for the privilege. In the autumn of
1862, our board established the
tung-wan-kwan, or language school, and invited English, French, and
Russian teachers to give instruction in their departments. The
pupils were chosen from Manchu bannermen, lads not far from 14 years
old. During the five years which have since elapsed, they have made
respectable progress io speaking and writing those foreign
languages. But they were mere tyros in Chinese studies, having been
selected at an early age, and are still unable to express their
ideas in their own tongue in a connected manner. We have accordingly
directed that they continue to exercise themselves in rendering from
foreign languages into their own, in the hope that they will at
length become adepts in translating. But if their undivided
attention be not given to this object, it is vain to hope that it
will be speedily attained. Should we, in addition to this, require
them to study astronomy, mathematics, and other branches, we fear
that their attainments would be various rather than
profound—diversified at the expense of thoroughness.
[Page 474]
It appears that the machinery of western nations, their artillery,
their steamers, and their military tactics, are, without exception,
the result of mathematical (or physical) science. At Shanghai, and
in the province of Chehkiang, and elsewhere, attempts are now making
to build steam vessels. But if we do not commence at the foundation,
and do the thing thoroughly, the superficial attainments we may make
will really be of no practical utility.
We, your Majesties’ ministers, have, therefore, resolved to propose
the establishment of an additional department, and to invite
educated men, both Manchus and Chinese, who have attained the grade
of master of arts, or have been promoted among the bachelors of
arts, who are over twenty years old, and well versed in their native
literature, to bring certificates under the seals of their local
authorities, or tickets from their banner officers proving their
descent, and be examined at our office with a view to admission into
this new institution. We would also admit officials of the fifth
grade or under, being still young and possessed of good parts, of
either race, who may be inclined to enter and pursue these studies,
and compete on the same conditions, provided that they shall have
risen in the regular way from either the Manchu or Chinese
graduates.
After this proposed enrolment of pupils has been made, we would
proceed to invite men from the west to give instruction in the
college, with the expectation that the scholars would thus acquire a
complete knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. Thus science being
understood by those in the highest stations, the arts will be
perfected by those in the lower ranks; and it cannot be doubted but
that the good results, after a few years, will be evident.
As to the three departments at present in operation, (i. e., the schools for the three languages,)
which will be maintained on their present basis, it is certain, that
as we are able to select from a larger number and promote deserving
scholars, we may reasonably expect that men of rare abilities will
be discovered among their graduates.
The people of China are not inferior in talent and skill to those of
the west; and if, in every department of mathematics, of
philosophical research, or of mechanics, and in the modes of
investigating the resources of the earth and the changes in the
heavens, they become well versed and skilled, so that they can apply
their knowledge, this will daily add to the strength of the
nation.
We have already conferred with Mr. Hart, inspector general of
customs, about inviting professors from western countries on our
behalf, and he will be able to attend to it; but the regulations
pertaining to the proposed institution, and the scale of rewards to
be conferred on successful students, can be decided on after the
general plan has received your Majesties’ sanction. We will then
deliberate upon them, and lay the results before the throne in
another memorial.
At this time we merely most reverently state our proposition to
invite candidates for the study of western arts and
sciences—astronomy, mathematics, and other branches—with our reasons
for it, upon which we humbly beg their Majesties, the Empress
dowagers and Emperor, to send down their instructions for our
observance.
A respectful memorial requesting the will.
B.
[Translation.]
A careful memorial proposing rules for the study
of astronomy, mathematics, and mechanics, and for the
examination and selection of suitable persons of every class to
enter upon these branches, respectfully prepared for their
Majesties’ sacred glance.
Your Majesties’ ministers previously brought this subject before the
throne in a memorial proposing the establishment of a new department
in the college of languages, and received a rescript on the 11th of
December last, approving of the plan, and requiring it to be
matured.
They now humbly represent that this plan of inviting persons to be
examined for studying astronomy and mechanics is not done, because
in their love for the marvellous, or admiration of the new, they
have been amazed at the skill and learning of occidentals. It is
rather because the modes which have been followed by them in their
mechanical inventions have all sprung from their knowledge of
mathematics. At this time Chinais devising how she can find and
apply the best modes of constructing steamers and machinery; and if
she does not avail herself of the guidance of Western scholars, and
get them to explain clearly the principles of mechanics, and the
details of manufacture, your ministers think that this spirit of
self-confidence will result in wasting the public money without any
corresponding benefit. It is on these grounds that we have most
carefully discussed the subject in all its bearings, and now embody
our conclusions in the present memorial.
Cavillers, who have not so carefully examined into this question,
will undoubtedly allege that there is no pressing urgency for us now
to bring forward this scheme; or they will object that it is wrong
to discard our national usages and arts in order to adopt those from
the west; and some will even assert that it is a humiliation for
China to employ foreigners instead of natives. Such men evidently do
not appreciate the demands of the times: for, without contradiction,
the true policy that is required for this country at this moment to
pursue, is to
[Page 475]
make herself
strong; and the true way to do that is, in the opinion of
intelligent observers, to avail ourselves of the skill and science
of occidentals.
Among our own highest officials, men like Tso Tsung-tang and Li
Hung-chang* see the force of these ideas very clearly;
they maintain them with great persistency, and illustrate them with
full details, in their various memorials and minutes to court. Last
year the latter established an armory at Shanghai, to which certain
officers and soldiers, selected from the cantonment at Peking, were
sent to learn the details of the work. Quite recently, too, the
former has requested that he be allowed to open a literary and
mechanical institution at Fuh-chau, in which chosen young men of
quick parts and promise may be taught by foreigners to write and
speak their languages, and be carriedthrough lessons in mathematics,
mechanics, and drawing, to prepare them to construct steam vessels
in all their parts, and manage their navigation.
These statements will sufficiently prove to all that this conviction
of the urgent need of adopting foreign skill and improvements is not
alone held by the few officers who present this memorial.
But some will say, “It is better to charter steamers and purchase
military weapons, as has been done at every port; it is both cheaper
and more expeditious; why take all this trouble and expense?” These
objectors surely do not reflect that steamers and fire-arms are not
the only things which China needs to learn to manufacture; yet to
speak of them alone in this connection, convenient as it may be to
hire or to buy them when necessary, these men must themselves admit
that lawrs are made for as well as by
man. If, therefore, we ourselves can understand clearly the
principles, and learn the construction of such things, their utility
will be all our own. Even to attain this one end, then, to meet an
exigency whenever it occurs, (i.e., to hire
or buy what is wanted,) needs no great discussion; for the thing is
too plain for dispute, if we can adopt, at the same time, a mode
which will supply ourselves whenever we need these things.
The next objection, that it is impolitic to discard our national arts
and modes in order to adopt those from the west, is a very
prejudiced remark. Now, it has been ascertained that the foundation
of western (astronomical) science was derived from the original
observations of the Chinese; and, indeed, those nations believe that
their arts originally came from the east. But their learned men,
being skilled in deep analysis, and clever at working out an idea,
were soon able to eliminate what was old (or erroneous) and develop
new [thoughts and modes,] which they thereupon presumed to call
foreign and outside; while at bottom they were nothing more nor less
than Chinese art and science. It has been so with astronomy and
mathematics, and in fact with all other things [of value ;] Chinese
originated them, and the occidentals appropriated them as their
heritage. If, therefore, China can avail herself of their progress,
and get ahead of [needing] them, seeing that she already possesses a
thorough acquaintance with fundamental principles, she would not
then be obliged to go abroad seeking for aid whenever an exigency
occurred. The advantages and profit of such a course as is now
proposed are, consequently, neither small nor doubtful.
Furthermore. the learning and arts of foreigners were highly approved
by our most holy Emperor [canonized the] humane, viz., the Emperor
Kanghi; for in his time western scholars were made officers in the
observatory by law, and appointed to regulate the calendar. In this
we recognize his boundless toleration and comprehensive wisdom,
which observed everything; and it does not become us, in these days,
while adhering to the old paths, to ignore these statutes and
traditions.
Among the six liberal arts, mathematics holds a high place. In
ancient days, even the husbandmen and the soldier knew the motion of
the heavenly bodies; but when, in subsequent days, its study was
strictly forbidden, then men learned in it began to diminish, and
were seldom seen. But during the reign of Kanghi, (A. D. 1661 to
1722,) the prohibitions against private persons studying the heavens
were all repealed, and thenceforth learned men [in this department]
arose, and the science of astronomy began to revive. Scholars who
studied the classics combined the pursuit of mathematics with it;
examining authors on each subject, and carefully comparing their
deductions and reasonings. The proverb says, “To be ignorant of a
single thing is a disgrace to the scholar;” and full of shame indeed
should that scholar be, who, on going out of doors and looking up to
the sky, can tell you nothing of the order of the constellations or
their laws. In these days, if no college such as is now proposed was
established, it would be expected of him that he ought to study the
science in order to learn their motions; how much more so, when the
pursuit is held up before him as a target, which he is invited to
hit.
The third objection, that it is disgraceful to learn from foreigners,
is still more unreasonable and stupid; for of all shame worthy
things in the world, the most shameful is to willingly be inferior
to one’s fellow. Western nations have been engaged in investigating
and explaining the construction of steamers for scores of years,
comparing and testing each other’s plans; and in this way they have
constantly made new discoveries. The Japanese, on the east of us,
have recently sent men to England to learn its language, and there
study mechanics and mathematics, so that they may become qualified
to write treatises on the construction of steam-vessels. In a few
years, at farthest, these men will attain their end.
[Page 476]
It is unnecessary to speak here of the rivalry among western nations,
who are striving for supremacy on the seas; but when even a small
kingdom like Japan perceives that only by the greatest efforts can
she attain a standing in the world, shall China alone stiffly adhere
to her old inert and routine modes, and care nothing about reforming
her practice ? This would indeed be disgraceful. Now if it be true
that it is shameful to be inferior to one’s fellow, how can these
objectors turn around upon those who are seeking how to come up with
others, if perchance they may by and by even excel them, and assert
that to learn aught from them is disgraceful ? Will it wipe out
their own shame to rest contented with their inferiority, and never
learn anything at all ?
To the remark which some may urge, that it is the business of
artisans and craftsmen to invent and make things, and altogether
beneath scholars to demean themselves to such pursuits, your
ministers have one observation to make. The contents of the section
in the ritual of, Chan, devoted to the examination of workmen and
their performances, is wholly taken up with notes about working in
cedar, or about making chariots and other vehicles. Why, we ask,
have these arts for several thousand years been looked upon in our
college and their curriculums as classical learning ? It is because,
that while the artisan practices his craft, the scholar makes
himself acquainted with its principles; and when these are
thoroughly mastered, their application can be vastly extended. If
scholars of the present day should be asked to investigate these
principles, and our literati to employ themselves in profound
inquiries into the nature of all things, who suspects or argues that
it is done to compel them to become artisans or experts in these
crafts?
In short, the end of learning is its fitness for present needs, and
that calling is honorable which suits the times. Though the
objections and doubts raised by outsiders are many, yet it is
incumbent on those who, being at the helm of affairs, are better
able to judge of the points involved, to decide; and we, your
Majesties’ ministers, have assuredly given these questions our
mature consideration.
But the plan is new in many points, and therefore requires careful
attention in its details. If the course of study is, on the whole,
to be severe, it will be desirable to make the allowances liberal,
and in order to stimulate the students, their promotion in rank and
honor should be kept constantly before them. We have agreed upon a
plan for conducting the institution, and have drawn out its details
under six heads; which we now reverently present for the inspection
of your Majesties, and await the reply from the throne.
On the 29th of January, 1867, the will was received, “Let the thing
be established in conformity to the proposed plan. Respect
this.”
C.
[Translation.]
Imperial decree of
March 5, 1867.
The Censor Chang Shing-tsau has presented a memorial to us, proposing
that the study of astronomy, mathematics, and other branches [of
western science] ought to be confined to the officials of the boards
of astronomy and of works; and objecting that it is unadvisable to
invite persons from the general body of graduates and literati
throughout the empire to come together and study these sciences.
A short time ago the members of the foreign office laid before us a
memorial with six regulations appended to it, asking our permission
to establish a new department in the college of languages, and
suggesting that only such graduates and officials as had taken their
degree in the regular course, superior to the rank of bachelor of
arts, should be chosen to study astronomical and mathematical
branches in it.
At the time a rescript was issued, giving our assent to the
propositions laid before us
The Censor Chang now raises an objection to that proposal, on the
ground that those who have attained the degree above that of
bachelor of arts are devoted to literary pursuits and the study of
philosophy, and could not with propriety be required to apply
themselves to the practice of mere mechanical arts. True scholarship
would be seriously injured by such an innovation, and the public
mind much unsettled.
We have established this school of languages and directed the
students to be selected from the literary class, because we consider
that the sciences of astronomy and mathematics are branches of
knowledge of which no scholar should be ignorant; they can in nowise
be looked upon as mere mechanical arts. These sciences will be more
easily mastered by regularly educated persons, who have of course
more power of application and greater intelligence, than others. The
new study will, therefore, by no means prejudice or do away with the
pursuit of literature and study of philosophy.
It is our will that Sen Ki-Yu take the position of president of the
new institution, and let the responsibility of working it be placed
in his hands. The plan is simply borrowing western science in order
to supplement and illustrate that already existing in China. The
sacred philosophy [of Confucius] is not thereby abandoned, nor do we
enter on any out-of-the-way
[Page 477]
path of investigation. What injury, then, can result to the
public mind, or to the interests of true scholarship by its adoption
? We command therefore, without further discussion, that the
censor’s proposal to call for a report on this whole subject, from
the high dignitaries of the government, be not entertained. Respect
this.
