Mr. Tsui Kwo Yin to Mr. Gresham.
Washington, August 8, 1893. (Received August 8.)
Sir: During the interviews which I had the honor of having with you on the 18th and 20th of May last, respectively, I was deeply impressed with what you said regarding the precautionary measures that should be taken for the protection of American subjects in China. That you should have taken their welfare into your consideration must have been prompted by benevolent motives as well as by fear that violence and injuries might be occasioned to them. At the same time you also kindly expressed an apprehension that violence and injuries might befall the Chinese subjects residing in this country. Consequently while you undertook to cause protection to be extended to the Chinese subjects in the United States, you made a special request that I should, by telegraph, communicate to my Government your strongest desire that proper protection be accorded to the American citizens in China, so that the subjects of both nations might be equally treated with the same benevolence.
I appreciated your good suggestion so much that I, without any delay, cabled your request to my Government and, following it, I wrote repeatedly confirming my dispatch, to which I have the pleasure to say that my Government responded with an assurance that your wishes would be complied with. Three months have elapsed since the said interviews and it is now very gratifying tome to say that the Americans in China, during that period, have been enjoying perfect peace and that no outrages of the nature or character of expulsion and arson have been committed upon the Chinese residents in the United States, and that I have also been able to carry out your wishes. Thus the subjects of both nations can not help feeling grateful to you for your kind protection.
However, with regard to the Chinese exclusion act, known as the Geary law, it is admitted that it violates the existing treaty stipulations between the two nations, and it is condemned by the just and upright persons of the United States. The failure in repealing the said law would assuredly result in the disturbing of the peace and outraging of the Chinese residents in this country. It is sincerely hoped that the President of the United States would not like to see such a state of things, and Your Excellency will also remember that you had already expressed a hope that such occurrences would never happen.
As the special session of Congress has begun to sit, I pray that you will kindly request His Excellency the President to suggest in his message to the Congress the repeal of the said Geary law, to the end that the stipulations of the treaties between the United States and China may be maintained and upheld; that the peace of the merchants and people of both nations may not be disturbed, and that I, on my final departure from this country, may also carry with me pleasant memories of my sojourn therein as well as the deep sense of gratitude for the kindness of your Government and yourself. Accept, etc.,