Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 1, 1890

Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, July 26, 1890. (Received September 22.)

No. 1125 bis.]

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that in the matter of Louis McCaslin I have sent to the yamên the communication of which a copy is herewith inclosed.

I have also sent to the yamên a translation of your dispatch No. 517 of April 18, 1890. The matter is so lucidly and completely presented by this dispatch, and by No. 510 of March 24, 1890, that I was unable to add anything substantial to them. I will, however, seek the earliest moment to have an oral interview with the yamên, and will then carry out your instructions contained in the last clause of your dispatch No. 517. At present, owing to the great rains, of which you have been advised by my dispatch No. 1124 of the 25th instant, the streets of Peking are not passable. It is necessary for me, also, to go to the hills for a few days, if I can get there, which is doubtful, to see my family, whom I have not seen for 2 months, and who have just returned to China after an absence of 2 years.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.

[Inclosure in No. 1125 bis.]

Mr. Denby to the Tsung-li yamên.

Legation of the United States.
Peking, ——, 18—.

Your Highness and Your Excellencies: I have the honor to inform Your Highness and Your Excellencies that I have received from my Government a dispatch relating to the McCaslin case at Ningpo. I was directed to deliver to Your Highness and Your Excellencies a translation of the said dispatch, which I now have the honor to do.

“I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 1049 of February 9 last, etc.” (quoting Department’s No. 517 entirely through).

In this connection, I have to refer Your Highness and Your Excellencies to my previous communications touching the McCaslin case. The subject has been therein so fully presented that I am unable to add anything substantial to the arguments in favor of setting aside the judgment of the taotai and granting a rehearing of the case. The matter, however, is so clearly and strongly presented by the Honorable Secretary of State that I deem it unnecessary to add any comments. I will have the honor to call in person upon Your Highness and Your Excellencies and present this and other questions for your consideration orally as soon as the streets of Peking are passable.