Mr. Seward to the Chinese Embassy
The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from their excellencies Anson Burlingame, of the first Chinese rank, envoy extraordinary and high minister plenipotentiary, and Chi-Kang and Sun Chia-Ku, of the second Chinese rank, associated high envoys and ministers of the Emperor of China, in which their excellencies inform the Secretary of State that they desire a time to be named for them to deliver their credentials to the President of the United States.
It is well understood by this government that, owing to the minority of the Emperor of China, the sovereign authority of the empire is now exercised by a Regency. Reserving, therefore, and waiving, though only during the Emperor’s minority, the question concerning the privileges of personal audience by the head of the Chinese government, the President of the United States will cheerfully receive their excellencies the high ministers of China, on Friday, at 12 o’clock at noon, at the Executive mansion.
The undersigned avails himself of this occasion to offer to their excellencies the assurance of his most high consideration.
Their Excellencies Anson Burlingame, Chih-Kang, Sun Chia-Ku.