A.
Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Brown
Sir: It gives me great pleasure to thank, through you, in the name of my government, Charles Carroll, esq., her Majesty’s consul at Taiwan, Commander G. D. Broad, of her Majesty’s ship Cormorant, with the officers and crew of the same, for their prompt and courageous efforts to rescue and avenge the captain and crew of the United States bark Rover.
The manner of their conduct was as admirable as the motive which prompted it. “We both fully agreed that, though the vessel was American, it was our duty to render the same assistance to the crew as we should had it been a British ship.” This noble language of Mr. Carroll, alluding to himself and Commander Broad, states the policy which should guide two kindred nations. It is the fruit of that co-operative system in the east approved by our respective governments. It recalls the best-souvenir of our history, and will awaken a new sense of obligation in the breasts of my countrymen.
I have already had the pleasure of calling the attention of my government to the conduct of Consul Carroll and Commander Broad. The names of the officers and crew of the Cormorant have also been brought to its notice.
May I now ask you to acquaint her Majesty’s government with this inadequate expression of thanks, to the end that it may appreciate, as others do, the humanity and valor of these officers and sailors.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
J. M. Leavy Brown, Her Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires, Peking,