No. 182.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 21, 1867. SIR: Mr. S. Wells Williams, in a despatch No. 16, and in an unofficial letter of the 22d of February last, invited my attention to the fact that his excellency Sen-ki-yu a distinguished Chinese statesman, then recently appointed to the foreign office, had in various ways manifested a liberal and friendly appreciation of the importance of amicable relations between the United States and other western powers and China, and that he had written an eulogy upon the life and character of George Washington which reflects great credit upon the author. When these facts became known to me they afforded me the liveliest satisfaction; and I thought that it might be agreeable to his excellency to possess a faithful portrait of the subject of his eulogy. I have, accordingly, caused an exact copy to be made by one of our most skilful artists of the original likeness painted by Gilbert Stuart from life. This copy, suitably framed, will be forwarded to your address by the first convenient opportunity for presentation by you, in such manner as may seem most appropriate to his Excellency Sen-ki-yu, as a mark of the high appreciation entertained of the wisdom and virtue which have so justly entitled him to the exalted station which he has attained. I am, sir, your obedient servant, ANSON BURLINGAME, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. No. 183.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 21, 1867. from SIR: I invite your early attention to the enclosed copy of a letter of the 17th instant, from N. Mickles, esq., vice-president of the East India Telegraph Company, in regard to a grant which was obtained by you for that company the Chinese government before your departure for home. No despatch of the nature indicated in the letter has been received from you. I am, sir, your obedient servant, ANSON G. BURLINGAME, Esq., &c., &c., &c. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Mr. Mickles to Mr. Seward. OFFICE OF THE EAST INDIA TELEGRAPH COMPANY, No. 55 Liberty Street, New York, January 17, 1867. DEAR SIR: I beg to inquire if the Department of State are in receipt of any despatches from Hon. Anson Burlingame, United States minister at Peking, in China, in relation to the, grant which was obtained by him of the Chinese government for the East India Telegraph Company, before his departure to return to China. I make this inquiry for the reason that Mr. Burlingame assured us that he would make it the subject of a despatch to the Department of the State. Learning that he arrived in China some months since, it is hoped that his promised despatch has been received. We are desirous of commencing the construction of the line immediately, for the reason that an English company are making an effort to the same end, and if they succeed in fore stalling our action, the telegraph in China will be under English instead of American control. Trusting this will be a sufficient reason for this application and the reply as early as your engagements will permit, I am, my dear sir, very truly, yours, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, N. MICKLES, Vice-President. No. 128.] Secretary of State. Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, February 9, 1867. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a letter from Dr. Williams, with translation relating to a eulogy upon Washington by Sen-ki-yu, a member of the foreign office of this government. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, ANSON BURLINGAME. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, MY DEAR SIR: I long since received your note of June 4th, 1866, informing me that you had directed a portrait of Washington to be sent out for presentation to Sen Ki-yu, a member of the foreign office of this government, who had written a eulogy upon him. As it has not yet come, and I have heard nothing from Shanghai of its arrival there, I have thought it advisable to inform you, and no longer delay to send you the translation of the notice (in duplicate) given by Sen in his geography of the life and character of Washington. It is very brief, and, as you will perceive, has many errors; but it is noteworthy as being the first attempt by a native scholar and high official to give his countrymen an account of foreign countries and their great men. He cannot read a word of any other language than his own, and collected the details in his geography by personal inquiries among the few foreigners whom he met at Amoy and Fuh-Chow in 1844-49, who could talk Chinese. Naturally enough, the mistakes throughout the work are numerous; but his desire to show the educated men of China that the people of other lands, who had recently compelled the Emperor's envoy to sign the treaty of Nanking, were not the barbarians they were thought to be, is apparent throughout. For his favorable notices of them, he was dismissed from his high post of governor of Fuhkien when the Emperor Hienfung acceded to the throne in 1850, and remained in private life till he was called last year to fill a vacancy in the foreign office, an appointment given him on account of having published this same work. I am, respectfully, yours, very truly, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, &c., &c., &c. S. WELLS WILLIAMS. EXTRACT FROM THE GEOGRAPHY OF SEN KI-YU, GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF THE ESTABLISH MENT OF AMERICA BY WASHINGTON. [Translation.] United States of America.* America is a vast country. Owing to its merchants' ships carrying a variegated flag, it is usually known at Canton as the Hwa-ki Kwoh, or flowery flag nation. It is bounded north *It is also called Collected Nations of America, Confederated Countries of America, United Leagued Nations, and United all States, (i. e., these different Chinese names have been used.) This flag is an oblong banner with red and white stripes alternating; in the right-hand corner is a small square of a black color, wherein are drawn many white spots arranged in a form resembling the constellation of the Dipper. by English territory, and south by Mexico and Texas; its eastern border lies along the great western ocean, while its western is on the vast ocean, a distance of about 10,000 li* lying between them. From north to south the distance is between 5,000 and 6,000 li in the widest parts; and from 3,000 to 4,000 li in the narrowest. The Appalachian range winds along its eastern coasts, and the great Rocky mountains enclose its western borders, between which lies a vast level region many thousands of miles in extent. The Mississippi is the chief of the rivers; it sources are very remote, and after running more than a myriad li, in a serpentine course, it joins the Missouri river, and the great united river flows on south to the sea. The other celebrated rivers are the Columbia, Mobile, Appalachicola, and Delaware. Great lakes lie on the northern border. Towards the west they are divided from each other by four streams, and are called Iroquois or St. Clair, Huron, Superior, and Michigan. To the east lie two others, Erie and Ontario, which are joined to each other. These lakes together form the boundary between the United States and the British possessions. It was the English people who first discovered and took North America and drove out the aborigines. The fertile and eligible lands were settled by emigrants moved over there from the three [British] islands, who thus occupied them. These emigrants hastened over with a force like that of the torrent rushing down the gully. Poor people from France, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden, also sailed over to join them; and as they all daily opened up new clearings, the country continually grew rich in its cultivated lands. High English officers held it for their sovereign, and as cities and towns sprung up all along the coasts, their revenues were collected for his benefit. Commerce constantly increased in extent and amount, so that thus the inhabitants rapidly became rich and powerful. During the reign of Kienlung (Å. D. 1736—1796) the English and French were at war for several years, during which the former exacted the duties throughout all their possessions, increasing the taxes more than previously. By the old tariff, for instance, the duty on tea was levied when it was sold, but the English now required that another tax should be paid by the buyer. The people of America would not stand this, and in the year 1776 their gentry and leading men assembled together in order to consult with the [English] governor how to arrange this matter, but he drove them from his presence, dispersed their assembly, and demanded that the tax be collected all the more strictly. The people thereupon rose in their wrath, threw all the tea in the ships into the sea, and then consulted together how they could raise troops to expel the British. There was at this time a man named Washington, a native of another colony, born in 1732, who had lost his father at the age of 10, but had been admirably trained by his mother. While a boy he showed a great spirit, and his aptitude for literary and martial pursuits, and love for brave and adventurous deeds, exceeded those of ordinary men. He had held a military commission under the English, and during the war with France when the French leagued with the Indians and made an irruption into the southern provinces, he led on a body of troops and drove them back, but the English general would not report this expeditious operation, so that his worthy deeds were not recorded, [for his promotion.] The people of the land now wished to have him to be their leader, but he went home on plea of sickness and shut himself up. When they had actually raised the standard of rebellion, however, they compelled him to become their general. Though neither troops nor depots, neither arms nor ammunition, stores nor forage, existed at this time, yet Washington so inspirited everybody by his own patriotism, and urged them on by his energy, that the proper boards and departments were soon arranged and he was thereby enabled to bring up his forces and] invest the capital. The British general had intrenched some marines outside of the city, when a storm suddenly dispersed his ships. Washington improved the conjuncture by vigorously attacking the city, and succeeded in taking it. The English then gathered a great army and renewed the engagement; he lost the battle completely, and his men were so disheartened and terrified that they began to disperse. But his great heart maintained its composure, and he so rallied and reassured his army that they renewed the contest, and victory finally turned in their favor. Thus the bloody strife went on for eight years-sometimes victorious and sometimes vanquished. Washington's determination and energy never quailed, while the English general began to grow old. [The King of] France also sent a general across the sea to strengthen the tottering state; he joined his forces with those of Washington, and gave battle to the British army. The rulers of Spain and Holland likewise hampered their military operations, and advised them to conclude a peace. The English at last could no longer act freely, and ended the strife in the year 1783, by making a treaty with Washington. According to its stipulations, the boundary line was so drawn that they had the desolate and cold regions on the north, while the fertile and genial southern portions were confirmed to him. Washington having thus established the state, gave up his military command for the purpose of returning to his farm; but the people would not permit him thus to retire, and obliged him to become their ruler. He, however, proposed a plan to them, as follows: "It is very selfish for him who gets the power in the state to hand it down to his posterity; in filling the This is a vague expression for a vast distance; three li are usually reckoned to equal an English mile.- Translator's note. Each of past of shepherd of the people, it will be most suitable to select a virtuous man.' the old colonies was thereupon formed into a separate State, having its own governor to direct its affairs, with a lieutenant governor to assist him,* each of whom held office four years. At the general meeting of the people of a State, if they regard him as worthy, he is permitted to hold his post during another term of four years; but if not, then the lieutenant governor takes his place. If, however, the latter does not obtain the approbation of the people, another man is chosen to the dignity, when his time is expired. When the headmen of the villages and towns are proposed for office, their names and surnames are written on tickets, and thrown into a box; when everybody has done so, the box is opened, and it is then known who is elected by his having the most votes, and he takes the office. Whether he has been an official, or is a commoner, no examination is required as to his qualifications; and when an officer vacates his place, he becomes in all respects one of the common people again. From among all the governors of the separate States, one supreme governor (or President) is chosen, to whom belongs the right to make treaties and carry on war, and whose orders each State is bound to obey. The manner of his election is the same as that for a governor of a State; he holds his office four years; or if re-elected, for eight. Since the days of Washington (who died in 1799) the country has existed 60 years; there have been nine Presidents, and the present incumbent (Tyler) was elected from Virginia. When Washington made peace with the British, he dismissed all the troops and directed the attention of the country entirely to agriculture and commerce. He also issued a mandate saying, "If hereafter a President should covetously plot how he can seize the ports or lands of another kingdom, or harass and extort the people's wealth, or raise troops to gratify his personal quarrels, let all the people put him to death." He accordingly retained only 20 national war vessels, and limited the army to ten thousand men. The area of the country is very great, and every one exerts himself to increase its fertility and riches; the several States have all one object, and act together in entire harmony; the other nations of the world have therefore maintained amicable relations with the United States, and have never presumed to despise or encroach on them. During the 60 years that have elapsed since peace with England, there has been no internal war; and [their trade has increased so that] the number of American merchantmen resorting to Canton yearly is second only to those of Great Britain. It appears from the above that Washington was a very remarkable man. In devising plans, he was more daring than Chin Shing or Han Kwang; in winning a country, he was braver than Tsau Tsau or Liu Pi. Wielding his four-foot falchion, he enlarged the frontiers myriads of miles, and yet he refused to usurp regal dignity, or even to transmit it to posterity; but, on the contrary, first proposed the plan of electing men to office. Where in the world can be found a mode more equitable? It is the same idea, in fact, that has been handed down to us [Chinese] from the three reigns of Yau, Shun, and Yu. In ruling the state he honored and fostered good usages, and did not exalt military merit, a principle totally unlike what is found in other kingdoms. I have seen his portrait. His mien and countenance are grand and impressive in the highest degree. Ah! who is there that does not call him a hero ? No. 129.] : Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward. LEGATION OF the United States, Peking, February 9, 1867. SIR Please find enclosed a letter to me from Sir Rutherford Alcock, the British minister, in relation to the relative rank of commanders and consuls. In the British navy a commander ranks with a vice-consul, and must therefore pay the first visit of courtesy to a consul. In our United States Navy Regulations (Article 107, p. 17) the commander of a vessel of the navy on arriving at a foreign port is directed to call in person and pay the first visit to the diplomatic functionaries of the United States thereat, whose rank is of and above that of consul general; if the officer is of lower rank than consul general, he is to offer *Sometimes the lieutenant governor is a single officer; in other cases several persons aid the governor. They are also changed biennially, and sometimes annually. When he has held the office for eight years, he cannot be re-elected. Chin Shing and Han Kwang were two patriotic generals, who endeavored to overthrow the Tsin dynasty (B. C. 208) and restore the feudal system, and re-establish their own prince in his state. Tsau Tsau and Liu Pi were rival chieftains (A. D. 220;) the first of whom destroyed the great Han dynasty, and the second, after surviving all his own efforts to uphold it, founded a small state himself in the west of China. The "four-foot falchion" is an allusion to the celebrated sword of Liu Pang, the founder of the Han dynasty (B. C. 202,) with which he clove in twain a huge serpent that crossed his path. The three monarchs, Yau, Shun, and Yu, were among the earliest Chinese rulers (B. C. 2,357-2,205,) and were chosen to fill the throne on account of their virtues.-Translator. him a passage to the ship. It may be said in reply to the British minister that these grades are made for one's own service, and that naval officers are not under official obligations to call upon the consuls of any but their respective countries. In the east, however, the question of rank may arise in many ways, and it is desirable that there should be an understanding. It would seem by our rule that when a commander is in command of a vessel, he has the rank of captain, or ranks a consul of his own country. Such is now Shufeldt's position. He commands the Wachusett, and I can well understand why he does not feel it his duty to pay greater courtesy to a foreign consul than to his own. I am well acquainted with Commodore Shufeldt, and know him to be a gentlemen who would not for himself raise questions of etiquette, but like most of the gallant officers who fought in the late war, he has a pardonable sensitiveness for his country. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, ANSON BURLINGAME. Secretary of State, Washington, D. C. Sir Rutherford Alcock to Mr. Burlingame. PEKING, January 28, 1867. SIR: I have recently received a despatch from her Majesty's acting consul at Swatow, requesting information as to the relative rank and precedence of commanders in the United States navy and consuls. There appears to be a difference in the rules adopted compared with those of Great Britain, and I believe other European states. With us a commander of the royal navy ranks with a vice-consul, and a captain with a consul; but each takes precedence in these ranks before the consular officers of equal grade. In accordance with this rule, it is the duty of a consul to make the first call on a captain in the royal navy, and to receive it from a commander. It is the usage for her Majesty's consuls in China and Japan to pay the same visits of courtesy to the officers in command of ships of foreign states when they enter the ports; but Mr. Swinhoe writes that he was placed in some difficulty lately when the United States sloop of war, the Wachusett, Commander Schufeldt, arrived at Amoy. He was desirous of showing the same attention to that officer that he would have paid to a commander in her Majesty's navy, but was precluded, by the regulations of his own service, from paying a first visit; and in conferring with his colleague, the United States consul, he was informed that, by the regulations of the United States, a commander when commanding is entitled to the first call from any United States consular officer under the rank of a consul general; and consequently no interchange of courtesies could take place. If the title of commander does not give the same rank in the naval services of the two countries, I should be glad to receive any information on the subject, and in the event of a difference existing, it might promote a good understanding between the naval officers of the United States and the consular officers of other countries, to the advantage of both, and be otherwise desirable, if some communication took place between the two governments on the subject. RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant, His Excellency the honorable Anson BURLINGAME, &c., &c., &c. No. 184.] Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame. DEPARTMENT of State, Washington, February 11, 1867. SIR Referring to my No. 183, of the 21st ultimo, inviting your attention to its accompanying copy of a letter from N. Mickles, esq., upon the subject of a grant which was obtained by you for the East India Telegraph Company from the Chinese government, I transmit herewith, for your information a copy of a |