Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
Sir: You will have learned from my telegram from Peking of my appointment by the Chinese government as “envoy” to the treaty powers, and of my acceptance of the same.
The facts in relation to the appointment are as follows: I was on the point of proceeding to the treaty ports of China to ascertain what changes our citizens desired to have made in the treaties, provided a revision should be determined upon, after which it was my intention to resign and go home. The knowledge of this intention coming to the Chinese, Prince Kung gave a farewell dinner, at which great regret was expressed at my resolution to leave China, and urgent requests made that I would, like Sir Frederick Bruce, state China’s difficulties, and inform the treaty powers of their sincere desire to be friendly and progressive. This I cheerfully promised to do. During the conversation Wensiang, a leading man of the empire, said, “Why will you not represent us officially?” I repulsed the suggestion playfully, and the conversation passed to other topics.
Subsequently I was informed that the Chinese were most serious, and a request was made through Mr. Brown, Chinese secretary of the British legation, that I should delay my departure for a few days, until a proposition could be submitted to me. I had no further conversation with them until the proposition was made in form, requesting me to act for them as ambassador to all the treaty powers. I had in the interim thought anxiously upon the subject, and, after consultation with my friends, determined, in the interests of our country and civilization, to accept. The moment the position was formally tendered I informed my colleagues of all the facts, and am happy to say that they approved of the action of the Chinese, and did all they could to forward the interests of the mission. J. McLeavy Brown, esq., Chinese secretary of the British legation, was persuaded, in the common interest, to act as first secretary to the mission, and Mr. Deschamps, a French gentleman who had accompanied Ping on a visit to Europe, was selected as second secretary. Two Chinese gentlemen of the highest rank were selected from the foreign office to conduct the Chinese correspondence, and as “learners.” My suite will number about thirty persons. I shall leave for the United States by the February steamer for California.
I limit myself in this note to the above brief history of the mission, reserving my reasons for accepting it to a personal interview at Washington.
I may be permitted to add that when the oldest nation in the world, containing one-third of the human race, seeks, for the first time, to come into relations with the west, and requests the youngest nation, through its representative, to act as the medium of such change, the mission is one not to be solicited or rejected.
Dr. S. Wells Williams, for the sixth time, has been left in charge of the United States legation in China, and is in every respect competent to conduct its affairs.
Permit me to request the government most earnestly not to name my successor until I can give it information which may be useful in making a selection.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.