Cablegram, from Prince Ching, dated (at Pekin) September 8, 1900, transmitted by the Chinese minister at St. Petersburg on the 16th instant to Minister Wu, who received it on the night of the same day.
Foreign troops having entered Pekin, and Their Majesties the Empress Dowager and the Emperor having gone westward on a tour, I have received an imperial edict appointing me envoy plenipotentiary with full discretionary powers, in conjunction with Grand Secretary Li Hung Chang, to negotiate peace. Please inform Secretary of State and request that, in view of the long friendly relations (existing between the two countries), instructions be telegraphed to the (United States) minister at Pekin to open negotiations in a harmonious way at an early date to the interest and gratification of all concerned.