25th. But if it be desirable to have experienced consular officers generally, how much more are they needed in countries where the United States holds an intercurrent jurisdiction? If it should be said that our government has planted in China, for instance, several colonies, our people would apprehend the significance of the statement. This is, in effect, what has been done, and yet the machinery of government which has been provided has been given without a full appreciation of the fact. And a more intricate system than the one which has grown up can hardly be imagined. Here are colonies, so to speak, of at least a dozen different powers, each with its own code and corps of officers. Out of the intercourse between these and of all with the imperial authorities often grow questions which might test the abilities of the most clear-headed jurist, and which certainly do try the good nature and good sense of those who have to deal with them. 26th. I have not spoken concerning the need of officers familiar with the language of the country. You have taken up the point in your excellent recommendations concerning a college at Peking, and it is not necessary for me to add anything except in the tenor of the foregoing remarks. Is a man so educated likely to enter the service, or to remain in it, when, after perfecting himself in its duties, some stranger may at any moment usurp the place which should fall to him? To some not dependent upon the service, and certain, at least, of acquiring in it valuable experience, and, perhaps, rapid promotion, or urged by a desire to be useful to their country, this very disorganization may have its recommendations, but this will not be the case with many. Indeed, I have found it difficult to secure intelligent men as assistants in my own office, or to supply vacant consulates, for the reason that the service holds out no inducements except for the passing moment. 27th. And this want of permanency works ill effects again, since it creates a jealousy of the consular service, which is regarded as a state institution for the benefit of peculiar classes instead of a necessary arm of the government. So it happens that Congress, in handling the consular appropriation bills, dwells over them in a petty spirit not exhibited toward any other branch of the government. With these brief remarks, submitted in the hope that they may be of use, at a moment when our country is entering upon a new commercial era in which our consulates must take a higher place, I remain, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. ANSON BURLINGAME, Boston, Mass. GEORGE F. SEWARD. TABLE NO. 1.—Appropriations of 1856 and 1860. Port. Expense of jail, &c. Office rent. Total. Office rent. Total. SIR: I have the honor to send you a translation of an edict which appeared recently in the Peking Gazette, that more fully sets forth the sense of the stipulations in the recent treaties, respecting the propagation of Christianity in the empire, as held by the imperial government, than anything it has issued since those treaties were signed. The wording of the edict does not confine the admission as to the right to disseminate their doctrines to the Roman Catholics; it is likewise applicable to Protestants, to Greeks, and all branches of the Catholic church. On these grounds, as well as exhibiting the feelings of this government, its perusal cannot fail to interest you. The occurrences referred to in the memorial have been briefly narrated to me by M. Bellonet, the French chargé d'affaires, and serve to render the admissions made in the edict more significant. About a year ago the Christians residing in the small prefecture of Yu-yang, lying in the southeastern part of Szchuen province, along the northern bank of the Yangtse river, were much disturbed by their pagan countrymen. It does not clearly appear what causes led to this opposition; but it is alleged, among other things, that the latter were incited by an officer of rank, who had been degraded in the adjoining province of Kweichau for having been concerned in the death of a French missionary three years ago. (See Diplomatic Correspondence for 1863, p. 939.) It is said now that, instead of being really sent away, he had been allowed to tarry on his journey, and had remained in this region, where he had prejudiced the gentry against the Christians. However, the excitement ran so high against them in November last that their chapel was burned, the sacristan killed, and the missionary, M. Errol, fled to a native friend in another village, who sheltered him for a few days. Being traced to this place, he then applied to a military officer for protection; but the friendly villager who had received him was killed by the pursuers. He finally got away when the excitement subsided, and the Christians were unmolested for several mouths. Last summer the French bishop of this part of Szchuen sent another priest, named M. Mabileau, to Yu-yang-chau; but no sooner had his arrival there become known than the opposition revived, and in an endeavor to appease the evil Office rent. Total. disposed natives, and defend some of his own converts, he lost his life, and his body was treated with indignity. The tone of this edict and the circumstances attending its publication indicate a desire on the part of the imperial government to restrain such acts of violence against the converts; but how far it will be able to punish criminals and preserve the peace depends much on the behavior of the Christians, the disposition of the local authorities, and other causes which cannot be immediately controlled. In this region no ill-will is apparent against the native Christians of any sect; and it is difficult to decide, with the imperfect knowledge I have of this affair in Szchuen, what views to take of the bearings of it. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. S. WELLS WILLIAMS, [From the Peking Gazette, October 20, 1865.] An imperial command. The foreign office has sent up a memorial stating that a Roman Catholic missionary has been killed by our subjects in the department of Yu-yang, and that some houses belonging to the Christians have also been plundered and burned; and requesting that severe measures be taken to punish the offenders. As evidence of this, the following communication has been received from the French chargé d'affaires : "In the department of Yu-yang, in the southeastern part of Szchuen, a man named Fung Szyin, with several others, have burned and destroyed the houses of the Christians in a village near the city of that name, and also robbed them of their property. Another man, named Fung Wan-yuen, had led on a mob and destroyed their chapel, and beaten the sacristan, Ho Kwei, so that he died. The local magistrate having delayed to investigate this affair and punish the criminals, they went even further, and robbed the missionary, M. Mabileau, of all his property, wounded and killed him, and then threw his body into the river. A garbled report of this affair had been sent up, saying that certain fellows had gone into the chapel, where they had high words with the man, and proceeded to throw stones, by which he was killed. It was also reported that the prefect had invited Fung Szyin and others to his office, to a feast, and there consulted how they could best destroy all evidences of the transaction." Now, as it is allowed in the treaties for missionaries to propagate their faith in the empire, if difficulties arise between them and others, or cases come into our courts, it is only right that justice and equity be observed in settling them, treating natives and foreigners alike, whether they are Christians or not. In this way alone can the minds of all parties be calmed and satisfied. If the circumstances mentioned in this memorial are correctly stated, it is very necessary that the case be immediately examined into and settled justly, in order to act impartially towards all. Let Tsungshih and Loh Ping-chang, the commandant and governorgeneral of Szchuen, truthfully inquire into the facts of the case and settle it immediately. Let Fung Szyin, Chang Pei-chu, and Sung Wan-Siuen, and all others who have been complained of, be arrested for trial and punished. Let there be no remissness or collusion. Let these same officers also dismiss the prefect of Yu-yang from his post, for having delayed and misrepresented this case, and let them go to the place themselves to learn the facts. Respect this. No. 16.] Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches Nos. 147 to 150, and 152, No. 151 not having arrived. In reference to the translation of Wheaton's International Law, whose receipt you speak of in Nos. 147 and 149, you will doubtless be gratified to learn that it has been received with so much favor in Japan that copies could not be sent on in time to supply the demand at Yokohama, and an enterprising publisher in Yeddo has reprinted it. An authentic study of this work by the officials in both China and Japan will probably lead them to endeavor to apply its usages and principles to their intercourse with foreign countries. This will gradually lead them to see how greatly the principle of exterritoriality contained in their treaties with those countries modifies the usages in force between western and Christian powers. How desirable it is that the latter should aim rather to elevate these eastern peoples to their own level than to urge this principle of exterritoriality to the subversion of the native sway. A notification of the appointment of Seu-ki-yu to a port in the foreign office, and disconnected from other bureaus, has just appeared, and is regarded as a favorable indication of the leaning of the party in power towards foreign intercourse. This man, now about seventy years of age, was governor of Fuhkien province in 1850, and had held subordinate positions there and in Kwantung province for several years, during which time he became much interested in foreign countries, and collected materials for a geography of the world. He consulted all the books and maps he could procure, but especially all the foreigners he could converse with, among whom was the late Rev. Doctor Abeel, missionary at Amoy in 1844. His geography was published in 1848, in ten books, under the title of A General Survey of the Maritime Circuit, and attracted much attention among natives and foreigners. His eulogy on Washington made that name known among the Chinese, and it may interest you to know that a copy of it is engraved on the stone sent from Ningpo, ten years ago, to the Washington Monument. But the author was in advance of his time. He was soon after denounced for his foreign proclivities and the high terms in which he spoke of western nations, degraded from all his honors in July, 1851, and sent to his home in the north of Shansi. After fourteen years he is now recalled to public life on the same grounds for which he was dismissed. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. No. 116.] S. WELLS WILLIAMS, Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward. Chargé d'Affaires. WASHINGTON, December 1, 1865. SIR: I enclose for your consideration a publication from a Boston newspaper, over the signature of John Humphrey, on the subject of pirates in the Chinese waters. With the opinions and sentiments of the article I partially concur, and I suggest that the subject be brought to the attention of the Navy Department, with a view that, if necessary, special orders in regard to it may be given to the commander of our squadron in that quarter. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, ANSON BURLINGAME. A Fleet in the China Seas. AMOY, September 21, 1865. Now that the government of the United States has succeeded in putting down the rebellion in the southern States, it is to be hoped it will organize a fleet for the China seas at once, not 487 to lie about in the different ports in. China, but with orders to search for and destroy the If a murder is committed on the land, rewards are offered and all the machinery of the government is set at work to apprehend the murderer, but although murder is committed by wholesale on the China seas, no notice appears to be taken of it. The accounts I have read in the Hong-Kong papers are horrible. Sometimes the crews are tortured before being butchered. Sometimes their heads cut off at once, and in one case they were lashed to the ship and the ship set on fire. It is probable that many of the missing ships, supposed to have foundered in typhoons on the coast of China, have been destroyed by pirates and their crews murdered in cold blood. It is very mortifying to an American to be told by an Englishman, "You are indebted to the British government for what protection you have on the coast of China." It is true, nevertheless. There is not an open port on the coast of China in which you will not find an English gunboat. What little is done towards suppressing piracy is done by them. After the pirates are taken (as they sometimes are by the English gunboats) it is very hard to get them condemned, as, of course, they are not taken in the act, and there is very little evidence againt them. I think the proper way would be to have a few small fast barks, heavily manned and armed and disguised as merchantmen, attached to the fleet. cruise up and down the coast and allow themselves to be attacked, then you have proof positive of guilt, and I say hang the pirates at the yard-arm without judge or jury. I think all Christian nations should join forces to exterminate these pests of the seas. go Let these By drawing public attention to this subject, you will confer a favor on all those "who down to the sea in ships," and especially those who navigate the Chinese waters. Yours, respectfully, JOHN HUMPHREY, Master American barque Wild Gazelle. The EDITORS of the BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER. Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame. No. 156.] DEPARTMENT of State, Washington, December 15, 1865. SIR: The harmonious condition of the relations between the United States and China, and the importance of the commerce between them, would make it agreeable to this government to receive from the Emperor a diplomatic repreIt is true that this would . sentative of a grade corresponding with your own. be a novel, if not an unprecedented step, on the part of that government. As treaties, however, have for many years been in force between China and Christian nations; and as the empire may now be disposed to respect the obligations of public law, it strikes us that the Emperor's government would be consulting their own interest, and would also be reciprocating that which, to a degree, at least, is a courtesy on our part, by having a diplomatic agent here, whose province it would be to see that our obligations toward China, under the treaties and law of nations, are fulfilled, and who might report to his government upon that and other interesting topics. China also may be said to have special reasons for the measure in respect to the United States, as her subjects are so numerous in this country, particularly in California. You will consequently bring this matter to the attention of that government, and may say that, if the suggestion should be adopted, it would be peculiarly gratifying to the President. I am, sir, your obedient servant, ANSON BURLINGAME, Esq, &c., st., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. |