Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
Sir: In reply to your despatch of 21st January, 1867, No. 183, covering a letter from Mr. Mickles of New York, in relation to telegraphs, I have the honor to inform you that from the beginning of my mission I have, in conjunction with my colleagues, urged upon the Chinese government the importance of telegraphs [Page 484] and railways and tried in every way to secure the right to build them. The uniform reply of the Chinese up to the present time has been, that the prejudices of the people are so great against these things that it would not be safe to grant or possible to preserve them. The people believe that telegraphs would interrupt the “fung-shue” or streams of good luck passing over the country, and that railroads would disturb the dead by passing over and deranging the graves.
Finding it useless to press for a line upon the land, I brought to their notice (A) an intention on the part of an American company to place a line in the sea from Canton along the coast, and requested that there should be-no interruption to the landing and working of it from the ports. Even this was resisted; but just as I was about to leave year before last, desiring aid from me in the flotilla matter, and wishing to please me, they assented to this, but not in writing. This is the only thing resembling a grant ever made to any one.
It should be understood also that a grant to me, under the favored nation clause, is a grant to all. The first to occupy the ground will have the advantage, but more than this I cannot say. I have persistently refused to advise the company, or anyone else, to risk money; and however much I should be pleased as a patriot to have Americans build the first line, I must still respectfully hold that position.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.