Mr. Blaine to Mr. Denby .
Washington , March 30, 1891 .
Sir: Your dispatch No. 1236, of the 26th of January last, in relation to the audience question, has been received.
The telegraph having since then brought the news that the several foreign representatives had been received in audience by the Emperor, it is presumed that an agreement satisfactory to all was reached on the points still under discussion when you wrote. It does not appear requisite, therefore, to instruct you in the premises further than to commend your insistence upon the right of separate audience, especially in the case of ministers arriving at Peking during the course of the year. The gravest objections are seen to the proposal of the yamên that such new arrivals are to be denied an opportunity to present their letters of credence [Page 393] until the next Few Tear’s reception of the foreign envoys in a body. The reasons, drawn from Chinese precedent in 1873 and 1874, and from the reciprocal usage of the western states, which accords to Chinese ministers the due privilege of audience of the sovereign and delivery of credentials immediately after reaching their post, seem to be strong if not conclusive in favor of the position you take.
With regard to the new letter of credence, the necessity for which in your case is adverted to in both your present dispatches, you will by this time have seen that it is sent to you by way of fitly marking the termination of the regency and the assumption of the reins of government by the Emperor. It is not customary to issue new credential letters here on the inauguration of a President, the commissions signed by the outgoing President continuing in full force until a successor is named.
I am, etc.,