Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of 13th of March last, No. 131, in relation to the disposition of the surplus of the Chinese indemnity [Page 508] fund, and enclosing a letter of the 12th of the same month from S. Wells Williams, esq., explaining the condition in which it then stood, and stating that he had made use of a portion of the interest, amounting to $14,586 21/100, in purchasing a lot and erecting a building suitable for the legation of the United States, and that the additional sum of $10,000 from the same source would be necessary to complete the structures requisite for the purpose indicated.
While it is admitted that the facts set forth by Mr. Williams prove quite clearly that, unless some such accommodations as those described by him are provided by the government or private individuals, the minister will be compelled to seek the hospitality of his colleagues of the diplomatic corps, or to change his residence to Shanghai, I cannot find any warrant in law for the appropriation of any portion of the interest or principal of the fund referred to for such a purpose or any other, and I therefore feel constrained to instruct you to cause the money so used to be replaced.
In adopting this course I am happy to be able to say that the excellence of motives which have actuated Mr. Williams in this proceeding is not called in question; and in leaving it optional with the department to decline or adopt the arrangement, he has relieved it of embarrassment.
When Congress shall be in session, and shall be ready to engage in general business, the correspondence will be submitted to that body with a view to such provision being made as in their judgment may be necessary and expedient.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Anson Burlingame, Esq.,&c., &c., &c.