No. 67.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Fish.
United
States Legation,
Peking, March 19, 1877.
(Received May 9.)
No. 221.]Sir: I have bad the honor to receive your
instruction, No. 92, in regard to services rendered by Captain Stewart, of
the imperial Chinese gunboat Sin Ching, to the American ship Enoch
Train.
I have communicated with the foreign office as instructed, and transmit to
you herewith a copy of my note and of the response which I have
received.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 221.]
United
States Legation,
Peking, March 10,
1877.
Sir: I am instructed by the Secretary of State
to inform you that a gold watch has been sent by the President to the
United States consul-general at Shanghai, to be delivered to Captain
Stewart, of the Chinese gunboat Sin Ching, as a testimonial of his
appreciation of services rendered by Captain Stewart to the American
ship Enoch Train when in distress near Hong-Kong. He has also directed
me to ask Your Imperial Highness to convey to the same gentleman,
through the appropriate channel, the thanks of the United States for the
important services rendered by him on the occasion adverted to.
I have, &c.,
To His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 221.]
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes
a communication in reply.
On the 12th instant I had the honor to receive a communication from your
excellency,
[Page 95]
stating that last
year the American ship Enoch Train being in distress near Hong-Kong,
Captain Stewart, of the Chinese gunboat Sin Ching, rendered assistance
to her, and that as a mark of appreciation for his services the
President of the United States had ordered a gold watch to be sent to.
the consulate-general at Shanghai to be presented to Captain Stewart;
and you further requested that the thanks of your Government be
transmitted to him through the proper channels, &c.
The gunboat Sin Ching belongs to the naval force of this government, and
in affording assistance to one of your national ships in distress she
was but performing a duty.
This mark of appreciation on the part of your government is an act of
grace toward the captain of the Sin Ching, and reflects clearly its
kindly spirit.
The viceroy at Canton has been instructed to communicate with Captain
Stewart, as you have requested.
To George F. Seward, Esq., &c.
