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to deal frankly and fairly with the matter. In such case the grievance would have been alluded to first, probably, at some moment when the grievances of our people here were under discussion. But it may be that they would have sent their letter irrespective of my remarks. The fact that I have spoken first is seen to be fortunate, then, whichever alternative they had followed. Our readiness in the matter can only be construed by them in a way favorable to us.

Having already dealt so fully with the business, I shall do no more in replying to the prince than to refer to the conversation at the Yamen and state that I have sent the correspondence to you for instructions. I recognize the peculiar difficulty and delicacy of this matter, and trust that my course will seem to you discreet.

I have, &c.,

GEORGE F. SEWARD.

[Inclosure 1 in No. 95.]

Prince Kung to Mr. Seward.

SIR: This Yamen is in receipt of a communication from the northern superintendent of foreign trade, stating that upon the 11th of June a letter was received from Rung, (Yung-Wing,) expectant intendant of circuit, now in America, in which he said that statements were constantly appearing in the newspapers to the effect that the low Irish residing in the city of San Francisco were in the habit of molesting the Chinese. The cause of this ill-treatment existed in the fact that this low class were envious of the Chinese because they came in such numbers and interfered with their wages. He was also in receipt of a letter from the guilds in San Francisco, stating that Chinese upon arrival in that city were continually assailed with every species of abuse upon their debarkation, and it was known to the guilds that these same classes had selected two officials and dispatched them to Washington to consult measures for the suppression of Chinese emigration, &c.

This Yamen begs leave to remark that the fifth article of the supplementary treaty with the United States declares that "The United States of America and the Emperor of China cordially recognize the inherent and inalienable right of man to change his home and allegiance, and also the mutual advantage of the free migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects, respectively, from the one country to the other, for purposes of curiosity, of trade, or as permanent residents," &c. And the sixth article declares: "Citizens of the United States visiting or residing in China shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities, or exemptions, in respect to travel or residence, as may there be enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of the most favored nation; and, reciprocally, Chinese subjects visiting or residing in the United States shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities, and exemptions, in respect to travel or residence, as may there be enjoyed by citizens or subjects of the most favored nations," &c.

The purport and intent of which is that the people of either country are at liberty to go and come at will, and kind treatment on either part is to be accorded to them, as is so plainly stated in the supplementary treaty.

We therefore feel bound to hand you the particulars of the treatment received by the Chinese in San Francisco at the hands of the low classes of Irish, as narrated in the letter of the northern superintendent of trade, and their purpose of interfering with Chinese emigration, and to request that you will communicate with your Government and request, in accordance with treaty, the suppression of such acts, in order to the maintenance of friendship between the two nations.

With compliments, &c.,

PEKING, June 29, 1876.

TO GEORGE F .SEWARD, Esq., &c.

(CARDS OF THE YAMEN.)

[Inclosure in inclosure 1 in No. 95.]
Newspaper extract.

Upon the 3d of the present month the O. and O. Steamship Company's steamship Oceanic arrived from Hong-Kong and Yokohama after a passage of 25 days. She brings as passengers 846 Chinese, among whom is an officer, interpreter, and six men

who are under the orders of the government of China, proceeding in charge of the Chinese exhibit to the Centennial. The nature or amount of this exhibit could not be accurately learned. There was about 200 tons on board the Oceanic, and 300 tons on a ship which has not yet arrived. The Oceanic brings as cargo 1,557 packages of tea, 721 packages of silk, and 25,512 packages of miscellaneous cargo for San Francisco. In addition, she brings for eastern markets 3,095 packages of tea, 721 packages of silk, and 99 packages of miscellaneous cargo.

When the passengers were about to debark the Irish and hoodlums, to the number of several hundred, assembled, blocking up the wharf and streets adjacent, and on the appearance of the new-comers assaulted them with mud and stones, and the wounds and bruises received by them were innumerable. They evidently think that we Chinese are immigrating in excessive numbers.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 95.]
Mr. Seward to Prince Kung.

To His Imperial Highness PRINCE KUNG:

PEKING, June 29, 1876.

I have received your dispatch of to-day making mention of a report which has come to the Yamen from Mr. Yung-Wing, in regard to the treatment of Chinese in California. The anxiety of my Goverument to meet this matter in a candid manner will have been indicated to you by my conversation with the members of the Yamen yesterday. Having received your letter, it becomes my duty to transmit it to my Government for its information.

I take this occasion to repeat very warmly the expression of my desire that your mission at Washington and a consulate at San Francisco may be soon established. It is very desirable that you should be accurately informed of the situation of your people in America, and that my Government should have the assistance of your officials in dealing with them.

I have, &c.,

No. 43.

GEORGE F. SEWARD.

No. 74.]

Mr. Cadwalader to Mr. Seward.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, August 31, 1876.

SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 95, giving the substance of a conversation which occurred in the course of a visit paid to the foreign office, concerning the questions that have arisen in California in connection with the emigration of the Chinese.

You state that you mentioned the difficulties of our experience in California, owing to the habits and isolation of the Chinese and other causes, and gave assurances of the benevolence of our Government and people, and of our indisposition to allow discrimination to be made against any classes resident within our borders, and that you also took occasion to dwell strongly upon the need which exists of establishing a legation at Washington and a consulate at San Francisco.

You also state that in reply you were informed that a mission would soon be established at Washington, and that your statements as to the need of a consulate at San Francisco would be borne in mind, but that they must look to our Government to protect their people, and seemed to feel confident that this protection would be extended, and expressed the wish that their countrymen might be treated as well everywhere as in the United States.

You also inclose a copy of a note dated the 29th of June, received from the Yamen, to the effect that a communication has been received from the northern superintendent of foreign trade in reference to statements constantly appearing that persons in the city of San Francisco were in the habit of molesting Chinese; that the Chinese, upon arrival

in that city, were often assailed, and that the question of measures for the suppression of Chinese immigration had been discussed. In this communication the Yamen call attention to the 5th and 6th arti cles of the supplementary treaty with the United States, and state that the purport of this treaty is that the people of either country may be at liberty to come and go at will, and kind treatment on either part should be accorded. The Yamen request you to communicate with this government, and ask that, in accordance with the treaty, the commission of such acts may be prevented, for the maintenance of friendship between the two nations.

It is not easy to give more than a general reply to the note from the Yamen, the complaints being based on no particular occurrences, and asking no more than a general observance of treaty obligations. There are doubtless difficulties, arising in part from the result of competition in labor, and as to which some political questions seem to have arisen. There are also many difficulties to which you have adverted: the unwillingness of the Chinese, even if able so to do, to really become a part of the people of the country, or to lay aside their own habits of life and their intention to return to their own country. Inquiry is now proceeding in reference to all these questions, and Congress at its last session appointed a committee from the Senate and House of Representatives to proceed to California and report upon the subject. It must be suffi cient, therefore, at this time, without treating of the subject in particu lar, to assure the Yamen, in reply to their note, that the United States recognize the obligation of all the provisions of treaties which have been made with China, and will endeavor at all times to carry out in good faith all such provisions.

Difficulty arises when dealing with individual or temporary excitements, such as have been manifested not unfrequently in China as against our own people or other foreigners, and this difficulty will assuredly be appreciated by the Chinese authorities.

Considering the large number of Chinese emigrants who have come to the United States, and considering the small number of our citizens who have gone to China, we might naturally expect more frequent cause of complaint to arise from Chinese in this country than from Americans in China; such, however, is far from the case. The Chinese who have come to us have engaged in whatever business they pleased, and settled in such portions of the country as they preferred, and no restraints, so far as residence and occupation are concerned, have been imposed upon them.

Your suggestion that the establishment of a legation in Washington and of a consulate at San Francisco would tend to a freer communication between the two countries was a proper one, and this course would tend to afford a more ready channel of redressing any particular griev

ances.

Both nations must deal carefully and watchfully with the great problem, and endeavor to prevent any real cause of complaint in either country.

I am, &c.,

JOHN L. CADWALADER,
Acting Secretary.

No. 97.]

No. 44.

Mr. Seward to Mr. Fish.

UNITED STATES LEGATION, Peking, July 1, 1876. (Received August 25.) SIR: The Senatorial Chinese Investigating Committee of California have addressed to Dr. Williams a series of sixteen questions bearing upon the subject of their investigation, which he has answered. He has prepared and handed to me the inclosed copy of the queries and his responses. This I send to you for the files of the Department. He has told me that he will send the original paper to you with the request that you will forward it to the committee if you see no good reason to the contrary.

I have, &c.,

GEORGE F. SEWARD.

[Inclosure.]

Replies to sixteen inquiries from the Senatorial Chinese Investigating Committee of California respecting Chinese Immigration, sent to S. Wells Williams by Frank Suay, secretary, April 20, 1876.

First. From what particular province or portion of China does the mass of emigration flow, and what do you know of the extent of that emigration?

The emigrants who have gone to California are natives of the province of Kwangtung to such an extent that it is safe to refer more than nine-tenths of the whole to it. The entire area of this province is reckoned at about 80,000 square miles, (same as that of Oregon;) but the largest portion of the emigrants go from its most populous prefecture of Kwangchau, in which the city of Canton and colony of Macao lie. This prefecture, which contains fourteen districts, may be roughly estimated at one-tenth or more of the whole province, and for population, resources, and energy of its inhabitants is the leading division. They speak generally the same dialect, and as they have peculiar facilities for intercourse through the great number of creeks and canals which intersect it and connect with the Pearl River and the sea-coast, in their admirable boats, they are very well acquainted with each other's movements, wants, and industries. It is from this region, one also more or less connected with foreign trade for the last three centuries, that migration has flowed to California and Australia more than from other parts; and to this familiarity with that trade, by having shared in its benefits, may partly be ascribed the readiness with which its inhabitants have gone abroad. If the clause in this inquiry, "What do you know of the extent of that emigration!" refers to the area of country from which it proceeds, I can only give a guess that it hardly exceeds 15,000 square miles, and this includes portions of the adjoining prefect

ures.

Second. If from any particular province, what is about the population of that province?

The population of this province of Kwangtung, according to the best information, is about twenty millions, and I should reckon the proportion of this particular region which furnishes the emigrants at not less than five millions. Foreigners have not that ready access to the official returns of local censuses which will enable them to compare them with the population personally observed, even on a small area, and thus ascertain what degree of accuracy can be fairly ascribed to them; but, as this region is exceed. ingly fertile and accessible, this estimate of five millions is no doubt within the truth. The city of Canton contains a million, and there are other large cities.

Third. Is the government of that province in any sense distinct or independent from that of the Chinese Empire, or is it so in regard to any laws concerning emigration? Please give an outline of the government of the empire and of the provinces, and of their bearings upon each other.

The Chinese Empire is, both in theory and practice, a centralized government, whose sway extends over the whole of its vast area as one power, each of its eighteen provinces being controlled by the imperial authority in Peking. The administration of a province is in no ways distinct or independent of that authority, and all its members are appointed through the board of civil office at the capital; but none of them are

permitted to hold any important position in the civil service of a province if natives of it. There is a large liberty allowed to the highest functionaries of a province in the exercise of powers intrusted to them, limited chiefly to their executive duties, though they often act in a legislative and judicial way, too, for in China these three departments are not very carefully defined or restrained.

However, as emigration is now free and the old restrictions have not the least authority, no provincial officer would presume to issue any regulation to limit or guide it where it is voluntary. In China laws fall into disuse, and are not formally abrogated, as with us, so that old statutes or edicts are frequently re-enacted or re-issued, according to the needs of the time, the caprices of the magistrate, or in compliance with the orders of his superiors.

The idea of good government in China is to maintain the peace in the country, collect the revenue, disburse the sums due to those on the civil and military lists, and remit to Peking the proportion of taxes assessed on the region, if the soldiers who may be in the field do not require the whole. To promote industry, open or repair roads, clear water-courses, establish schools, develop mines, encourage mechanical or other arts by granting patents, or, in fine, perform the duties of officers solicitous to elevate their subjects and win their loyalty by consulting their welfare-none of these things have yet really entered into the minds of the rulers of this land as part of their proper responsibilities.

There is a radical difference between governments of Christian countries and this of China, in respect to the rights of the people contrasted with the privileges and duties of their rulers; for in this country the rights may be generally stated to be all on the part of the latter, and the duties all incumbent on the former. The Peking government is composed of a large body of officers and placemen, arranged under several boards and councils, with a vast body of underlings, whose highest members conduct the affairs of state under the direct control of the Emperor, and the subordinates are employed in the capital or appointed to vacant posts in the provinces. The eighteen provinces are primarily governed by eight tsung-tuh or governors general, and sixteen fu-tai or governors; and there are altogether ten separate jurisdictions among them, each amenable directly to the court at Peking. A principle of responsibility, by which an officer's position and even life is jeoparded by the conduct of an inferior, permeates the whole system, and somewhat cripples its efficieney, as it leads every individual officer to shirk danger and throw the risk of results on his subordinates. Each governorship being independent, a sedition in one province is not presently felt in the next, and its authorities endeavor, as best they can, to put it down without depending for aid on their neighbors, who do not usually act until orders come from Peking; but, in fact, each province is not much more than able to take care of its own affairs. The loyalty of the Chinese people to their present government, among all ranks, grows out of a general conviction that it is the best for all which they know; and when rebels endeavor to destroy it, they allege, in excuse, that the administration is so corrupt that it can no longer be endured, and rebellion is the only remedy. The system has worked so well, however, that during the last 250 years none of the high provincial grandees have rebelled against their sovereign, although wielding great resources in men, wealth, and material. You ask me to give an outline of the government of the empire, &c., but the topic is too wide for an outline; and as I do not see its relevancy to the main subject of this reply, I beg to refer you to the Middle Kingdom, (vol. 1, pp. 296, 343, 499,) where ampler details can be found than I have leisure now to go into.

In regard to emigration, there is doubtless a general desire on the part of the government to retain its subjects in their own land, and in the minds of educated men every one who leaves it is held to take the worst choice. He leaves the known for the unknown, and goes into savage regions where no imperial protection can ever reach him. This public sentiment tends to restrain emigration, and in fact at the distance of one or two hundred miles from the coast few go abroad. The people near the sea or along the frontiers have emigrated as they have found opportunity, and few have ever returned; so that is not a new or sudden impulse which now possesses them. On the north they pass into Mongolia and Manchuria, where vast unoccupied tracts invite their tillage. On the south they go to Luçon, Borneo, Singapore, and islands in the Archipelago, where they trade and farm, ply their handicrafts, and gradually settle down. On the southwest they find their way into Siam, Burmah, India, and farther on, everywhere adding to the wealth of the land by their thrift and industry. In some parts of Borneo and Malaysia they form small self-governing settlements, but usually they are obedient to the local authority, while fond of retaining their national identity and language by uniting themselves into companies or societies for mutual aid and protection. In Manchuria they are still within their own Emperor's domain, but there, as elsewhere, their plodding toil gives them a superiority, and distinguishes them from all other Asiatics. I have no data from which to calenlate the amount of this emigration, for no one has been able to follow it up and get

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