Sir Chentung
Liang-Cheng to Mr. Hay.
Chinese
Legation,
Washington, April 22,
1904.
No. 31.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith for
your information a translation of the letter from His Majesty the
Emperor of China to His Excellency the President of the United States,
the original of which Prince Pu Lun will deliver to its high destination
on Monday.
Accept, etc.,
[Page 149]
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
The Emperor of China to the
President of the United States of America—Greeting:
From the commencement of China’s friendly intercourse with the United
States the relations between the two countries have been growing
closer and closer every day. Now the holding at the city of St.
Louis of an international exposition to celebrate the one hundredth
anniversary of the purchase of Louisiana, the object of which is to
bring together from every country on the surface of the globe its
products and resources of every description for purposes of
illustration and exhibition, gives us a fresh opportunity of
manifesting our friendship. We have, therefore, specially appointed
Pu Lun, a prince of the imperial house in the third degree, who is
nearly related to us by blood, to be our commissioner to the said
exposition. Our knowledge of his deep interest in commercial affairs
affords us entire confidence that he will satisfactorily discharge
his duties connected with China’s participation in the said
exposition in conformity with the rules and regulations promulgated
for the purpose.
We have, moreover, commanded him to proceed to your national capital
for the purpose of presenting this letter and conveying to Your
Excellency the assurances of our high regard. We trust that Your
Excellency will kindly receive him and afford him every facility to
carry out the purpose of his mission to the end that great and
lasting benefits may accrue to the commerce between the two
countries.
Given this 18th day of the 12th moon, in the 29th
year of Kwanghsü (February 3,
1904).
