Mr. Denby to Mr.
Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Felting, November 12, 1888.
(Received December 29.)
No. 757.]
Sir: I inclose herewith a translation of the
decrees whereby the Emperor has selected the Empress of China and two
secondary wives.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure in No. 757.]
Edict of the Empress Dowager, published in the
Peking Gazette of Friday, November 9, 1888.
The Emperor having reverently succeeded to his exalted inheritance, and
increasing day by day in maturity, it is becoming that he should select
a virtuous consort to assist in the administration of the palace, to
control the members of his household, and to encourage the Emperor
himself in upright conduct. Let, therefore, Yeh-ho-na-la, a daughter of
the Deputy Lieutenant-General Kuei Hsiang, whom we have selected for her
dignified and virtuous character, become the Empress.
[Page 82]
further edict, same date.
[A special edict.]
Let Ta-ta-la, aged fifteen years, a daughter of Chang Hsii, formerly
vice-president of a board, become the secondary consort of the first
rank, and let Ta-ta-la, aged thirteen, also daughter of Chang Hsii,
formerly vice-president of a board, become imperial concubine of the
second rank.
Respect this.
