The undersigned, having been commissioned by his Majesty the Emperor of
China, Anson Burlingame, of the first Chinese rank, envoy extraordinary
and high minister plenipotentiary, and Chih Kang and Sun Chia Ku, of the
second Chinese rank, associated high envoys and ministers respectively
to the United States of America, have the honor to announce their
arrival in those characters. A copy of their credentials is inclosed,
and they will thank the Secretary of State to cause a time to be named
for them to deliver the original to the President of the United
States.
The undersigned avail themselves of this occasion to offer to the
Secretary of State the assurance of their most high consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
His Majesty the Emperor of China salutes the President of the United
States!
In virtue of the commission we have with reverence received from
Heaven, and as China and foreign nations are members of one family,
we are cordially desirous of placing on a firm and lasting basis the
relations of friendship and good understanding now existing between
us and the nations at amity with China. And as a proof of our
genuine desire for that object, we have specially selected an
officer of worth, talents, and wisdom, Anson Burlingame, late
minister at our capital for the United States of America, who is
thoroughly conversant with Chinese and foreign relations, and in
whom, in transacting all business in which the two empires of the
United States and China have a common interest, we have full
confidence as our representative and the exponent of our ideas.
We have also commissioned Chih Kang and Sun Chia Ku, high officers
with the honorary rank of the second grade, to accompany Mr.
Burlingame to the United States, where
[Page 602]
Mr. Burlingame, with the two so appointed,
will act as our high minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary.
We have full confidence in the loyalty, zeal, and discretion of the
said three ministers, and are assured they will discharge
satisfactorily the duties intrusted to them, and we earnestly
request that the fullest credence and trust may be accorded to them,
that thereby our relations of friendship may be permanent, and that
both nations may enjoy the blessings of peace and tranquillity, a
result which we are certain will be deeply gratifying.
Dated this sixth day of the twelfth moon of the
sixth year of our reign, (December 31,
1867.)
TUNG CHIH.
Translated by J. M. L. Brown, First
Secretary of Chinese Mission.
Translation approved.
S. Wells Williams, U. S. Chargé d’affaires,
ad interim.
Robert Hart, Inspector General of Imperial
Chinese Maritime Customs.
W. A. P. Martin, Professor of Hermeneutics,
and Translator of the Imperial Foreign College,
Peking.
[Untitled]
The Prince of Kung makes a communication:
The yamun has already, as the records show,
respectfully copied and forwarded to the United States and other
ministers the imperial decrees by which his Majesty the Emperor has
specially appointed Mr. Burlingame, and with him Chih-Ta-Chên and
SunTa-Chên, members of the Foreign Office, his high ministers, to
proceed to the treaty powers with authority to transact all business
in which those countries and China have a common interest. In regard
to this appointment of three ministers at the same time, the Prince
of Kung begs to explain fully the reasons for this action on the
part of the Chinese government, so as to anticipate any
apprehensions the foreign representatives in Peking might have, that
hereafter, when business has to be transacted with the several
governments to which the three ministers are accredited, there is to
be no distinct precedence and subordination between them. It is the
usage, the prince is aware, among all the great western powers, when
peaceful relations exist between them, to send diplomatic
representatives, each to the other; and as relations of friendship
and amity have now existed between the United States and China for
some years, this country ought ere this to have sent to the United
States an envoy with diplomatic function; but the taking of this
step has been hitherto delayed because China has not been acquainted
with the languages and customs of foreign nations. When, however,
Mr. Burlingame, a minister who is just in his dealings and agreeable
in intercourse, and who is thoroughly acquainted with the relations
of China and foreign nations, and in whom the Chinese government on
its part has always had full confidence, expressed his willingness
to act in this matter for China, his Imperial Majesty, moved by a
memorial on the subject, appointed him to be his high minister, to
proceed to all the treaty powers, and Messrs. Brown and de Champs to
be first and second secretaries respectively, to aid in performing
the duties of the legation. His Majesty in this appointment charged
Mr. Burlingame, assisted by his secretaries, with the exclusive
control and responsibility of the business of the mission.
But if no Chinese high officers had been sent, this country would
have remained as unacquainted as before with the duties of
diplomatic representation. His Majesty was therefore further
requested to appoint Chih-Ta-Chên and Sun-Ta-Chên high ministers to
accompany Mr. Burlingame. This step not only shows the genuine
feelings of friendship existing, but will also give these high
officers an opportunity to acquire practice and experience in
diplomatic duties.
As the Chinese government has on this occasion been enabled to avail
itself of Mr. Burlingame’s weight and position, and of the
assistance of the secretaries of legation Messrs. Brown and de
Champs, both the business of this particular mission will be
performed satisfactorily, and hereafter when envoys are to be sent
by China to foreign powers the taking of such action will have been
much facilitated, and a mode of procedure that can be followed will
have been laid down.
On the arrival of the ministers in the United States and other
countries, the government there will discuss and decide with Mr.
Burlingame alone, all matters that may have to be dealt with; and
when Mr. Burlingame has arrived at any decision, Chih-Ta-Chên and
Sun-Ta-Chên will consult with him as to the dispatches on the
subject to be sent to the yamun of foreign
affairs in Peking. In this way the entire work of the mission, being
fully provided for, will proceed smoothly and satisfactorily.
[Page 603]
Mr. Burlingame, on his part, understands the languages and
peculiarities of foreign nations, and Chih-Ta-Chên and Sun-Ta-Chên,
on their part, are conversant with the language and affairs of
China. The arrangements adopted in this mission are only temporary,
and for the occasion. The measure is an initiatory one, and will not
be permanently imitated in the future.
The prince (and members of the yamun) would
request his excellency to communicate the contents of this dispatch
to the high ministers who have charge of the government of his
country, for their guidance in receiving and treating with the
ministers representing his Majesty the Emperor of China.
A necessary communication, addressed by the Prince of Kung, and
ministers of the yamun of foreign affairs, to
the foreign ministers in Peking, and to the secretaries of state of
those treaty powers not yet having diplomatic representatives in
China.
Tung-chih, sixth year, twelfth moon, sixth
day, (December 31, 1867.)
