No. 155.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, February 23, 1880.
(Received April 26.)
No. 606.]
Sir: I have the honor to hand to you herewith three
imperial decrees in regard to the Kuldja treaty and Chung How’s case, which
were issued on the 15th instant.
You will notice that the Chinese have rejected, practically, the Kuldja
treaty, and have directed their minister at London to proceed to St.
Petersburg to reopen negotiations.
You will see, also, that Chung How is now said to have exceeded his
instructions, and that he is turned over to an extraordinary council for
trial.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 606.]
an imperial decree.
Their Imperial Highnesses the Empress Dowager and the Empress Mother
decree:
It was ordered in an earlier edict that the report of the council
composed, of the grand secretariat, the six boards, the nine lower
courts, and the Hanlin academy upon the treaty concluded by Chung How,
together with the memorials sent to us by the various officials of
higher and lower grades, be referred to the princes of the first and
second ranks, the ministers of the imperial presence, the privy council
of states, the prince and ministers of the foreign office, and the
presidents of the six boards, the nine lower courts, and the censorate,
for careful and proper consideration, and that Prince Chung take part in
their deliberations.
We have now received their memorial in report, and a memorial of the same
tenor from Prince Chung, both of which state that, in the treaty and
regulations concluded by Chung How, while abroad as our envoy by our
command, there are points in which he violated our instructions and
exceeded his powers. Reports have also been received from officials of
high and low grade in the capital and provinces, all declaring that the
treaty contains much that is objectionable and impracticable.
Let the Marquis Tseng, &c., &c., &c., go at once to Russia
and deal with the matters which demand attention.
It is to be hoped that, in view of the serious importance of
international affairs, a satisfactory solution may be reached by
him.
Respect this.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 606.]
an imperial decree.
Some time since, because Chung How, without awaiting the imperial will,
ventured of his own motion to return to this capital, we decree that he
be deprived of rank, arrested, examined, and handed over to the board of
punishments, to be dealt with for his offense.
The board of punishments now memorialize us, in reply, that the
circumstances in the case of the degraded officer named are of the
gravest nature, and they pray that the princes and high ministers of
state be directed to take cognizance of the business.
At the same moment we received the memorial report conjointly sealed of
the high, council of princes and ministers of state to the effect that
Chung How, who went abroad by the imperial will to manage certain
matters, violated his instructions and exceeded his powers in the most
serious manner.
Let the princes of the first and second grades, the ministers of the
imperial presence, the privy council of state, the prince and ministers
of the foreign office, the grand secretariat, and the presidents of the
six boards and the censorate, consider what punishment shall be
inflicted upon the degraded official in question, and report to us.
Respect this.
Peking, February 15,
1880.
[Page 237]
[Inclosure 3 in No. 606.]
an imperial decree.
Their Imperial Highnesses the Empress Dowager and the Empress Mother,
decree:
In the deliberations of the high council as to the punishment to be
inflicted upon. Chung How, let Prince Chung take part, and report to
us.
Respect this.
