Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1873, Part I, General Correspondence; and Papers Relating to Naturalization and Expatriation, Volume I

No. 76.
Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, June 15, 1873. (Received August 6.)

No. 265.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose the translation of a dispatch just received from Prince Kung, covering an imperial decree concerning audience.

A note from the ministers of the yamên, requesting the foreign ministers to meet them to-morrow, accompanied the prince’s dispatch. By the terms of the decree the government concedes all that has been asked, the right of foreign ministers holding letters of credence from their governments to present them in person to the Emperor.

The proposed meeting is appointed for the purpose, probably, of settling minor points of etiquette, and I shall not be disappointed if the Chinese ministers propose many things which, under other circumstances, would be considered unimportant, but which we may feel bound to object to in view of the fact that what is done now will be taken as a precedent for the future. The main point, however, having been conceded, I do not anticipate serious difficulty in arranging minor details; nor is it probable that the final settlement of this perplexing and tiresome business will be delayed beyond a few days, or weeks at farthest.

By next mail I hope to complete the narrative of the proceedings touching the audience question, and my action in connection therewith; I also hope to be able to report that all the foreign ministers have been received by the Emperor in a manner befitting the dignity and honor of the governments they represent.

I have, &c.,

FREDERICK F. LOW.

[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]

Prince Kung to the foreign ministers.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, makes the following communication:

The yamên having presented a memorial to the throne showing that the foreign ministers resident in Peking have urgently requested^* an audience to present letters from their governments, had the honor to receive on the 14th instant the following decree:

“The Tsung-li yamên haying presented a memorial to the effect that the foreign ministers residing in the capital have requested an audience that they may deliver letters from their governments, we command that the foreign ministers residing in Peking who have brought letters from their governments he accorded audience. Respect this.”

It is the duty of the prince to communicate a copy of the imperial decree to the ministers of Russia, the United States, England, and France.

June 15, 1873.

1. The Chinese character here employed signifies, “to request, to beg, to beseech;” it may therefore be by some considered disrespectful. It is, however, the character commonly used when princes and other high officers make requests of the Emperor; therefore it may be inferred that no disrespect was intended.