Office of the Historian

No. 205.
Mr. Denby to Mr. Bayard.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, May 5, 1888. (Received June 14.)
No. 639.]

Sir: In my dispatch No. 574, of date the 20th of February last, I dwelt at some length on the question of etiquette to be observed in the matter of exchange of calls on foreign and Chinese New Year between the officials of the foreign office and the secretaries, attachés, and interpreters of the various legations, and informed you that the diplomatic representatives would press the matter until a proper and satisfactory arrangement, consistent with dignity, had been effected.

I now have the honor to inform you that the question has been settled in a manner that can not be other than satisfactory to all concerned.

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The proposal of the prince and ministers, which forms an inclosure, has received the approval of my colleagues and myself.

I trust that my action in the premises will meet with your approval.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.
[Inclosure in No. 639.]

Proposal from Tsung-li Yamên on the subject of the exchange of cards on Chinese and foreign New Year.

On Chinese New Year the foreign representatives residing at Peking will send cards: (1) To the prince and ministers; (2) to each one of the secretaries of the Yamên (Tsung pans), whose names will be given; (3) to the seven departments of the Yamên—to each department one card.

The secretaries, attachés, and interpreters will send their cards in the same manner.

On foreign New Year the prince and the ministers will send their cards: (1) To the foreign representatives, (2) to every one of the secretaries, attachés, and interpreters, whose names will be given to them.

The Tsung pans will send their cards in the same manner.

The officials of the seven departments will send one collective card for each of the departments to the foreign representatives, secretaries, attachés, and interpreters.