No. 177.
Mr. Seward
to Mr. Evarts.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, August 13, 1880.
(Received September 28.)
No. 742.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 718, in which I
forwarded to the department a translation of an imperial decree temporarily
revoking the sentence of death passed upon Chung How, late Chinese minister
to Russia, I have now the honor to hand to you a copy of a further decree by
which he has been unconditionally set at liberty.
In acknowledging the receipt of this information, I have felt bound to convey
to Prince Kung my satisfaction at the action thus taken, which, in my
opinion, will serve to lessen the difficulties in the way of a peaceful
solution of questions now pending between China and Russia.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 742.]
Prince Kung to Mr.
Seward.
Peking, August 12,
1880.
Informal.]
I have the honor to hand to your excellency a copy of an imperial decree,
received to-day from the imperial council of state.
Cards and compliments.
an imperial decree.
(Received by the Privy Council of State, August 12,
1880.)
Some time since we issued our mandate that the sentence of
decapitation—after the autumn assizes—passed upon Chung How be
temporarily revoked, but that he be held in confinement until the
Marquis Tseng had reached a satisfactory solution of the treaty
negotiations with which he is charged.
We are now in receipt of a memorial from the foreign office, stating that
they have a telegram from the Marquis Tseng saying that he has entered
upon his negotiations and earnestly begging them to memoralize us in his
name that further leniency be shown, &c.
Let further grace be shown to Chung How and let him be set at
liberty.
The Yamên concerned will take note.
Respect this!
[Page 292]
[Inclosure 2 in No. 742.]
Mr. Seward to
Prince Kung.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, August 13,
1880.
Informal.]
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a note from your imperial
highness? covering a copy of an edict from His Majesty, directing that
the late minister, Chung How, he set at liberty.
I beg leave to express to your imperial highness the pleasure and
satisfaction with which I have learned of this action on the part of His
Imperial Majesty.
I have, &c.,
