Mr. Rockhill to Mr.
Hay.
No. 128.]
Commissioner of
the United States to China,
Peking,
China, July 3,
1901.
Sir: In my dispatch No. 55, dated March 24 last, I
informed yon that in view of certain opposition on the part of some of my
colleagues, and disinclination on the part of the Chinese plenipotentiaries
to take up at that time the question of the rehabilitation of Chang
Yin-huan, I would reserve to a more propitious moment the endeavor to carry
out your instructions in the matter.
On Saturday of last week, while calling on the viceroy, Li Hung-chang, I
referred to your instructions concerning Chang Yin-huan and expressed the
hope that the Imperial Government would perform the act of justice the
united States wished to see done. I stated to the Viceroy that if Prince
Ching and he would memorialize the Throne on the request of the United
States alone in the matter, I would be much pleased. * * *
The Viceroy stated that although he and Prince Ching personally would be
quite willing to urge the matter on the single representation of the United
States, he thought their memorial might be more promptly complied with if
Great Britain, whom he knew was also interested in the case of Chang
Yin-huan, addressed a request similar to the one I proposed making. Although
the Viceroy did not commit himself in expressing an opinion as to the
probable outcome of the representations which he agreed to make the Emperor
in the matter, I am led to believe that some action will be taken; probably,
however, no posthumous honors will be granted to Chang Yin-huan, but his
name will be cleared of the crimes which now tarnish it.
I inclose herewith copies of the notes sent by the British minister and
myself to the Chinese plenipotentiaries on this subject.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure No. 1 in dispatch No.
128.—Translation.]
Mr. Rockhill to the
Chinese Plenipotentiaries.
Highness, Excellency: Among the high Chinese
officials who lost their lives during the troubles of the last year was
Chang Yin-huan, who was decapitated in July last while in exile in
Turkestan.
Chang Yin-huan was Chinese minister to the United States from 1885 to
1889 and during his stay in the United States won the respect and
affection of all with whom he came into contact, whether officially or
socially, and did much to strengthen and render more close the friendly
relations between our countries.
Although his death occurred eleven years after his departure from America
the news was received at Washington with sincere sorrow, and the
Government of the United States felt that it had lost a friend and China
a servant of commanding ability.
Confident in the belief that his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of China,
must be desirous of performing an act of justice to the memory of one
who served him so long and so well and whose sudden execution can not be
explained except as instancing further proof of the excitement of the
times, the President of the United States has instructed me to request
your highness and your excellency to memorialize the Throne to the end
that all the marks against the name of Chang Yin-huan be removed and
posthumous honors be conferred upon him. The Government and people of
the United States of America will see in the performance of this act by
China a further proof of the spirit of friendliness and justice which
has always marked the intercourse between the two countries.
I avail myself, etc.,
[Page 255]
[Inclosure No. 2 in dispatch No.
128.—Translation.]
Sir Ernest Satow to
the Chinese plenipotentiaries.
His
Britannic Majesty’s Legation,
Peking, July 2,
1901.
Your Highness and Your Excellency: I feel that
it is my duty to bring to the notice of your highness and your
excellency the case of Chang Yin-huan, formerly minister in the tsung-li
yamen, who was decapitated last July while in exile in the New
Dominion.
Chang Yin-huan was well known to His Britannic Majesty’s Government, and
was held in esteem by my predecessors, Sir N. R. O’Connor and Sir C.
McDonald. He was sent as special ambassador to England on the occasion
of the diamond jubilee of the late Queen Victoria, and he received the
grand cross of a high order from Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.
Moreover, it was generally felt at the time of his exile that he was
more unfortunate than culpable, and it was fully expected that His
Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, would see fit in the course of time to
restore him to rank and favor. His execution in a time of disorder, and
after he had, in a measure, expiated his original fault, has been the
source, of sincere sorrow to all those in England who knew him.
I am sure that His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, can only desire that
justice be done to the memory of an old and faithful servant, and I
would therefore request your highness and your excellency to memorialize
the Throne in order that Chang Yin-huan’s record may be cleared and his
honors restored. Such an act of grace will be thoroughly appreciated by
the people and Government of Great Britain.
I avail myself, etc.,
