No. 79.
Mr. Low to
Mr. Fish
Legation of the
United States,
Peking, July 10, 1873.
(Received September 3.)
No. 271.]
Sir: On the 29th ultimo the embassador of Japan and
the ministers of Russia, the United States, England, France, and Holland
were personally presented to the Emperor. Subsequently the French minister
had a separate audience, to present a letter from the President of the
French Republic addressed to the Emperor of China. This letter was a reply
to one from the Emperor to the head of the French government which Chunghow
took to France in 1870.
The arrangements for the audience and the ceremonies were in strict
accordance with the agreement made with the ministers of the yamên, a
memorandum of which had been officially submitted to the foreign ministers
by Prince Kung. A translation of this memorandum is herewith inclosed.
(Inclosure No. 1.)
At 6 o’clock a.m. on the day before mentioned the five foreign ministers
assembled at the Fu Hua gate, (one of the gates in the wall that surrounds
the forbidden city,) where they were met by the grand secretary, Wên-Hsiang,
and Several ministers of the yamên, who conducted them to the Shih Ying
Kung, a temple within the forbidden city, which contains the rain god, and
where the Emperor goes to offer sacrifices and pray for rain in seasons of
drought. Here we found the Japanese embassador, who had arrived before us.
We were shown into the imperial robing-rooms attached to the temple, where
refreshments, consisting of cakes, sweetmeats, fruits, and tea, were served.
The refreshments, the Chinese ministers were particular to inform us, had
been prepared in the imperial household. After waiting at the temple an hour
and more, we were conducted to a large marquee on the west side of the
Tsz-Kuang-Ko—the reception-hall—where Prince Kung and the rest of the
ministers of the yamên were waiting to receive us. Here we rested for some
time awaiting the arrival of the Emperor. All along
[Page 196]
the route on either side, from the “Fa Hua gate to the
temple, and between the temple and the hall of reception, were ranged rows
of officials, civil and military; and a few cavalry soldiers, and a still
larger number of officials, were assembled in the immediate vicinity of the
hall. The officials were chiefly civil mandarins, the military being largely
in the’ minority. All were dressed in their official uniforms.
As soon as the Emperor arrived and had taken his seat in the chair of state
within the hall, the Japanese embassador was introduced. He delivered a
short address and presented his letter in the manner agreed upon; and the
Emperor responded through Prince Kung in substantially the same terms that
he did to the foreign ministers.
When he had retired the five foreign ministers entered the hall in the order
of the priority of their commissions, and ranged themselves in a line in
front of and facing the Emperor, with Mr. Bismarck, the interpreter,
immediately behind the dean-general Vlangaly. The Emperor was seated in his
chair of state, which was placed upon a dais about ten or twelve feet square
and surrounded by a railing. Upon the dais and near the Emperor’s chair
stood Prince Kung, two other princes, and two “ministers of the presence,”
Extending from either front corner of the dais, in oblique line to the front
corners of the hall, were double rows of high ministers, including all the
ministers of the yamên. Upon the terrace outside the hall and on the grounds
in front were hundreds, and probably thousands, of mandarins whose rank
would not permit of their entering a building in the presence of the
Emperor.
As soon as the foreign ministers had taken their places within the hall the
Russian minister proceeded to read the French version of the address.
(Inclosure No. 2.) When he had concluded, Mr. Bismarck read a Chinese
version of it. As soon as the reading of the address was concluded, all the
ministers advanced one step, and placed their credentials on the yellow
table, which stood between them and the Emperor, the latter, at the same
moment, bowing in token of recognizing their reception. Then Prince Kung,
who had been standing at the left of the Emperor, knelt to receive His
Majesty’s reply. After which he advanced toward us, and said: “His Majesty
acknowledges the receipt of the letters presented by the foreign ministers.”
The prince returned, and again knelt near the Emperor to receive another
message, when he advanced as before and delivered it as follows:
“His Majesty expresses the hope that the emperors, kings, and presidents of
the states represented by your excellencies are all in good health, and His
Majesty trusts that all business between foreign ministers and those of the
tsung li yamên (foreign office) will be settled amicably and
satisfactorily.” All the ministers then retired except M. de Geofroy, who,
after his interpreter had been introduced, made a short address and
delivered the special letter with which he had been charged by his
government, the Emperor acknowledging its receipt the same as before. When
the foreign representatives had all re-assembled at the temple, and after
again partaking of refreshments, they were conducted by the ministers of the
yamên to their chairs at the Fu Hua gate.
It is due to the ministers of the yamên that I should say that all their
promises touching the reception were fulfilled honestly and fairly. The
arrangements were well ordered, so that there was really nothing to complain
of; and the reception was in itself respectable and entirely respectful to
foreign governments.
I may remark in this connection that the hall in which the reception took
place is not the great hail where the Emperor usually receives his own
officials. It is, however, one of the many reception-halls scattered
[Page 197]
through the grounds of the
forbidden city, and is exclusively used for receptions by His Majesty.
It is not impossible that the effect upon the Chinese would have been better
had the reception taken place in the great hall. Upon this point, however,
we did not deem it advisable to insist; indeed, it was waived voluntarily
early in the discussion. The reasons for not insisting upon the reception
taking place in the great hall were:
- First. By the usages of nations the sovereign granting an audience
can name the time and place; and,
- Second. We deemed it policy not to be too exacting on minor points
provided the Chinese government would sacrifice all their notions of
propriety and consent to receive the representatives of foreign
governments without prostration or genuflection.
In addition to these considerations it may be doubted whether any government
would sustain its diplomatic representative were he to insist on dictating
to the Emperor of China as to the place for a reception, so long as the
reception-hall proposed was one usually devoted to that purpose, as was the
case in the present instance.
Upon some other points there was disagreement and considerable discussion
before they were finally arranged. The Chinese ministers objected to having
the secretaries and attaches of the legations accompany the ministers, and,
as our discussions had all been carried on through the agency of a single
interpreter, they objected to having more than one present at the
audience.
These two points were yielded on the condition that they would consent to
give the French minister a separate reception for the purpose of delivering
his special letter, at which he should be accompanied by the interpreter of
his own legation. This was finally agreed to.
By this arrangement the Chinese ministers yielded, at the last moment, one of
the positions they had been fighting to maintain all through the
discussions; and a precedent is now established which will, it may be
presumed, obviate the necessity of discussion or dispute in the future—that
a foreign minister coming to China and bringing a letter from the head of
his government addressed to the Emperor on any subject is entitled to
deliver it in person.
By the programme originally submitted to us we were to lay our letters of
credence on a table, from which they would be taken by one of the Chinese
ministers and handed to Prince Kung, who would in turn hand them to the
Emperor. This was strenuously objected to, for the reason that, although it
was not so stated, we suspected (and as it proved rightly so) that when
handing the letters to the Emperor the prince would be obliged to kneel.
This led to a protracted and animated discussion. We finally proposed as our
ultimatum that we would hand out letters to the prince if we could have an
assurance that he would stand when handing them to the Emperor; or we would
lay the letters on a table placed between us and His Majesty if he would
then and there acknowledge their receipt. The latter proposition was finally
accepted.
In the programme first submitted it was stated that foreign ministers should,
when presented to the Emperor, wear a diplomatic uniform, but without
swords.
The impropriety of this was pointed out, and the impossibility of complying
with it definitely stated. I said that by the laws of the United States I
was prohibited from wearing any kind of uniform; and my colleagues affirmed
that a sword was a part and parcel of a diplomatic uniform. The question of
uniform was finally erased from the
[Page 198]
programme; it was also left optional with us to make as many or as few
salutations as we chose when entering and retiring from the hall.
Touching one question I was situated differently from any of my colleagues.
Following the precedent set by my two predecessors, I delivered to Prince
Kung my original letter of credence at my first interview with him. The
other ministers had delivered copies of their letters only, retaining the
originals until an opportunity should be afforded to present them in person
to the sovereign.
This difficulty was arranged by the handing back of my letter of credence. I
was by this means enabled to present it in due form with the others.
The result attained after four months of wearisome discussion may, I think,
be considered satisfactory. It will, I trust, be viewed in the same light by
the governments directly concerned.
Speculations as to the future are generally valueless; hence I prefer to let
time determine the value of the recent concession. It is too much to expect
or hope that that audience of the Emperor will cure all the ills from which
foreign intercourse and trade suffer in China. It is, however, an important
step in advance—the most important that the Chinese government has ever
taken except when compelled by force of arms—and I shall be much
disappointed if it does not lead to a marked improvement in relations
between the treaty powers and this government.
Trusting that the Department will take a hopeful view of the situation, and
that my action in the premises will meet the approval of the President,
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1.—Translation.]
Memorandum of the etiquette to be observed at the
audience.
The foreign ministers will bring with them M. Bismarck as their
interpreter in common; M. de Geofroy will bring M. Deveria as his
interpreter in particular.
The ministers will alight from their chairs or horses at the Fu Hua gate,
and they will then be conducted by ministers of the yamên, who will
accompany them, in the first instance, to the Shih Ying Kung,* where for a short time they will rest. If His Majesty
be pleased to furnish refreshments it is here they will be partaken
of.
The escort (foreign) will remain in a tent outside the Fu Hua gate, where
there will be persons to attend to them. The retinue (Chinese) will also
remain in the same vicinity. Neither escort nor retinue will enter the
Fu Hua gate.
As soon as His Majesty, coming from the eastern side of the building,
reaches the inner hall of the Tze-Kuang-Ko,† the ministers of the yamên will accompany
the foreign ministers and the interpreters to a marquee to the west of
the Tze-Kuang-Ko, where they will wait a short time, until His Majesty
shall have entered the main hall. The ministers of the yamên will
accompany the foreign ministers and the interpreter, M. Bismarck, up the
western flight of steps into the Tze Kuang-Ko by the western space.
The speech (or speeches) of the foreign ministers ended, they will each
spread his letter of credence upon the yellow table. His Majesty will
make some special sign of affability (probably a bow) and will say
(literal answer) that the letters of credence have now been received; he
will also make gracious remarks and put kindly questions. His Majesty’s
remarks will be interpreted with solemn reverence by Prince Kung.‡
Foreign ministers, when they enter the hall, when they are speaking or
stating their
[Page 199]
names, as also
when questions are addressed them, and when they reply, will, in token
of extraordinary respect, make the usual reverences as proposed.
The forms will he settled by rehearsal before the audience.
When the ceremony is ended, the other four ministers and the interpreter.
M. Bismarck, will retire by the western flight of steps. The ministers
of the yamên will accompany them to the Shih Ying Kung, where they will
wait a short time, M. Devéria being meanwhile brought by the ministers
of the yamên into the Tze-Kuang-Ko.
M. de Geofroy will then speak, and spread upon the yellow table the
answer to the letter of the Chinese government.*
His Majesty will, as before, acknowledge the receipt of this letter.
The audience being ended, M. de Geofroy and M. Devéria, the interpreter,
will retire, the ministers of the yamên accompanying them to the Shih
Ying Kung; thence, the whole party being re-assembled, they will conduct
the foreign ministers and the interpreters out of the Fu Hua gate.
The arrangements set forth in this paper are made because the Emperor
having to receive letters of credence, a decree has been received from
His Majesty according an audience.
Hence the liberality of the ceremonial June 26,
1873.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Sire: The representatives of Russia, Vlangaly;
of the United States of America Low; of Great Britian, Wade; of France,
Geofroy, and of the Netherlands, Ferguson, have the honor to offer, in
the name of their governments, their congratulations to your Imperial
Majesty on your majority, and pray for a long duration of your reign and
for the prosperity of your people.
They hope to see in your Majesty’s reign the continuation of the reign of
your illustrious forefather, Kang-hi, who, while he raised China to the
summit of its glory and power, gave free access to western arts and
sciences.
China, sire, will return to these happy days under your Majesty’s
government, and the foreign powers who have concluded treaties with your
Imperial Majesty will see with pleasure the development of relations and
the strengthening of the friendship that exists with your vast
empire.
We have the honor, sire, to lay before you the letters that accredit us
as envoys extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary at your Imperial
Majesty’s court.
[Inclosure No. 3.]
Memorandum of the reception of foreign ministers by
the Emperor of China, 29th June,
1873.
The foreign ministers, provided with letters of credence, having accepted
the programme communicated to them by the yamên on the 25th June, it was
agreed that each should proceed from his own residence on the morning of
the 29th to the Roman Catholic establishment known as the Pei-Tang,
where the bishop, Monseigneur de Laplace, had been so good as to provide
accommodation for those who might wish to change their dress. The
rendezvous was to be at a quarter before six a.m., at which time the
minister, Chunghow, was to meet the foreign ministers at the Pei-Tang
for the purpose of conducting them to the gate by which they were to
enter the palace grounds.
On his arrival the different ministers, each in his chair, and, if he had
a foreign escort, attended by his escort, proceeded toward the marble
bridge which spans the pei-hai, the lake in the palace grounds. The
bridge is, on ordinary days, a thoroughfare, but by the Emperor’s desire
a barricade had been thrown across the western end of it. This, with a
corresponding barricade a little farther to the west, marked off a space
right and left of the Fu-Hua-mun, the gate by which the ministers were
to be admitted into the palace grounds, in such wise that room was left
for the chairs of the ministers and their escort.
Within the gate there were waiting the grand secretary, Wănsiang, and all
the other ministers of the tsung li yamên, with the exception of the
presidents, Pao-Tsun and Thăn-Kwei-Făn, who, as it had been intimated
upon the 26th June they would be, were with Prince Kung in attendance
upon the Emperor.
The grand secretary and his colleagues conducted the foreign ministers to
the Shih Ying Kung, where they found the Japanese embassador, Soyisima
Tranéomi, who had
[Page 200]
come from
his residence in another part of the city. The Japanese embassador was
accompanied by his interpreter. The envoys extraordinary and ministers
plenipotentiary of Russia, the United States, England, and France, and
the diplomatic agent of the Netherlands, were accompanied by Mr.
Bismarck, sécrétarie interprète of the German
legation, as interpreter of the corps diplomatique. Mr. Devéria, first
interpreter of the French legation, accompanied his minister, who, it
had been arranged, was to have a second audience for the purpose of
delivering the reply of the French government to the letter of
explanations carried to France by the minister Chunghow, in 1870, after
the massacre of Tien-tsin.
The Shih Ying Kung, or palace of Due Season, is a temple in which prayers
are offered by the Emperor for rain or for fair weather, as the case may
require. In rear of it are some apartments in which, when about to
sacrifice, the Emperor robes and unrobes. Here there were some
refreshments from the imperial buttery spread out upon two tables. The
foreign ministers seated themselves at these, and, after waiting about
an hour and half, were invited to move onward to a large tent pitched on
the west side of the Tze-Kwang-Ko, or purple pavilion, the building in
which the Emperor had decided to give audience.
Prince Kung, with the ministers Pao and Shĕn, met the foreign ministers
outside the tent, in which, it had been understood, they would have to
wait a short time before they were summoned to the presence. The
interval here, however, as already in the Shih Ying Kung, proved much
longer than had been expected. The Prince and his colleagues explained
that the Emperor had received important dispatches from the seat of war
in the northwest, and that these had detained His Majesty. His highness
and his colleagues went and came, apologizing from time to time for the
delay. Thus about another hour and half passed away.
At last, a little after nine o’clock, the Japanese embassador and his
interpreter were ushered into the pavilion by some of the ministers of
the yamên. They returned in a few minutes, and the representatives of
western powers were then called for.
Turning to the left as they quitted the tent, the ministers of the yamên
conducted them up a low flight of stone steps on the western side of a
large platform lying to the south or in front of the pavilion, and,
crossing the angle of this platform, they entered the pavilion, as it
had been agreed they should, by the space between the first and second
columns to the west of the center division of the pavilion. General
Vlangaly, minister of Russia, led the way as doyen of the corps
diplomatique, and was followed in the order of their seniority by Mr.
Low, Mr. Wade, M. de Geofroy, and Mr. Ferguson, respectively,
representing the governments of the United States, Great Britain,
France, and the Netherlands.
The interior of the pavilion is divided by wooden pillars into five
sections, running from north to south. The Emperor was seated on a
throne at the northernmost end of the center section. The throne itself
stood on a dais or platform raised three or four feet above the floor of
the hall, access being gained to it by three small flights of steps, one
in the center and the other two right and left of the throne. A light
balustrade, broken, of course, by these three flights of steps, ran
around the wooden platform, Half way down the hall, at some ten or
twelve paces from the throne, and directly opposite to it, stood a long,
narrow table, covered with yellow.
Beside the throne were a few princes of the highest order. On the
Emperor’s left stood Prince Kung, Prince Chun, (known to foreigners as
the 7th prince,) and Prince Po, son of the famous Sungolinsin; on the
right, Prince Li and another. On either side of the hall, in double
rank, were arranged officials, apparently of the first rank. They were
placed so that the inner flanks of their line touched the platform below
the throne, near its outer angles, the reverse flanks extending outward
till they reached the limits of the central division of the hall. In
rear of them, on either side of the throne, were other officials in
groups, without arrangement.
The foreign ministers having filed across the hall, as they came in front
of the throne bowed to the Emperor, then advanced a few paces and bowed
again, and finally halting bowed a third time. M. Bismarck, who had
followed the ministers in his capacity of interpreter, took his place in
rear of the doyen. The grand secretary, probably as the officer charged
with the introduction of the ministers, took post slightly in advance of
their line, at the same time somewhat to the left of it.
The doyen then read the address appended to this memorandum. M. Bismarck
read a Chinese translation of it, and, the reading ended, the foreign
ministers laid their letters of credence upon the yellow table, bowing
once as before.
As the letters were laid upon the table the Emperor bent slightly
forward, as in acknowledgment of their reception, and Prince Kung,
falling on his knees, was commanded by His Majesty, in a low voice, to
inform the foreign ministers that the letters had been received. The
prince rose, descended the steps, and, advancing a short distance toward
the ministers, repeated what had been said to him.
His highness then re-ascended the platform, and again falling on his
knees was again addressed by the Emperor. On rising he again came down
the steps, and coming up this time to the doyen, he said that his
Majesty trusted that the emperors, kings, and
[Page 201]
presidents of the states represented were in good
health, and hoped that all foreign affairs would be satisfactorily
arranged between the tsing-li-yamên and foreign ministers.
This ended the general audience. The French minister, M. de Geofroy,
having, as above mentioned, a”second letter to deliver from his
government, remained, his interpreter, M. Devéria, being introduced as
the rest of the ministers withdrew. This they did à
reculons, and bowing as is usual in other countries.
The whole party, the Japanese embassador included, was in a few minutes
re-assembled in the Shih Ying Kung, and after staying there a short time
they were conducted to their chairs by the ministers of the yamên
present, the grand secretary joining his colleagues as they approached
the gate.
- A. VLANGALY.
- FREDERICK F.
LOW.
- THOMAS FRANCIS WADE.
- L. DE GEOFROY.
- J. H. FERGUSON.
