Office of the Historian

No. 160.
Mr. Denby to Mr. Bayard.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, March 19, 1887. (Received May 7, 1887.)
No. 339.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith translation of a manifesto by the Emperor on his ascending the throne. It was published in the Shanghai Courier of the 11th instant. It did not appear in the Peking Gazette, and was not brought to the attention of the foreign ministers in any way. It seems to have been sedulously concealed. In 1873, on the assumption of the reins of government by the Emperor Tung Chi, official notice of the event was sent to every legation. A demand for [Page 203] an audience followed this notification. The avoidance of this procedure now plainly indicates that the Imperial Government is determined to prevent an audience if it can. No official notice of the accession of the Emperor, or of this manifesto, has ever been sent to any minister.

Proclamations are still sometimes issued by the Empress.

* * * * * * *

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.
[Inclosure in No. 339.—The Emperor Kwong-Hsu’s manifesto. Translated from this morning’s Shunpao.]

By the appointment of Heaven, I have ascended the throne for thirteen years, and during that time the Empress regent, in consideration of my extreme youth, consented to transact the important affairs of state behind a screen, so that I might devote myself to study, and not disappoint my ancestors in the administration of the government. For over ten years the Empress has been untiring in selecting wise men for the Government service and dismissing those who were incapable for their office. Whatever money she has spent was for the benefit of the people, and the whole nation has been peaceful. History has never recorded such a brilliant administration as that under Her Majesty, a fact of which both officials and people are aware. Now the Empress has decreed that my education having been completed, I should assume the reins of government in person. When I heard of the decree I trembled as if I was in mid-ocean, not knowing where the land is. Her Majesty will, however, continue to advise me for a few years longer in important affairs of state. I shall not dare to be indolent, and, in obedience to the Empress’s command, I have petitioned the Heaven and earth and my ancestors that I shall assume the administration of the government in person on the 15th day of the first moon, in the thirteenth year of my reign. Guided by the counsel of Her Majesty, everything will be done with care. The princes and officials should be loyal, and should be diligent in reporting the requirements of the people. Then the nation will be peaceful, and the Empress has not taught me in vain. The government of the Empire has been handed down to mo alone by Heaven and my ancestors, and I consider the welfare of my people and officials as my own. I have thought fit to grant the following favors:

(1)
The graves of the Emperors and the temple of Confucius are to be worshiped by the officials with the customary ceremonies.
(2)
The temples of the gods of the mountains and seas, etc., are to be repaired by the local officials as a token of respect.
(3)
Both Manchu and. Chinese dutiful sons and grandsons, as well as chaste husbands and wives, are to be reported by the local officials to the board of ceremony for proper recognition.
(4)
All the civil and military officials are to be promoted one grade higher in rank.
(5)
The civil and military officials in Peking who are temporarily degraded or fined shall be exempted from their sentence.
(6)
The orphans, the poor, and sick people of all the provinces are to be specially cared for by the local officials, and houses should be built for them to live in.
(7)
Soldiers who are over seventy years of age are each to be allowed one son to take care of them, and to be exempted from military service.
(8)
The important roads and bridges of ail the provinces are to be repaired by the local officials, under the instruction of the governors.

These first orders are given for the benefit of the people, and let every one be aware.

Stamped by the Emperor’s seal on the 15th day of the first moon, thirteenth year of Kwong-Hsu.