The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-03-18
[Translalion.]
A LUCID COMMUNICATION.

LUCIO COMM UNlCAIlON.
Ching. acting Governor General Of K,cang 7ung and
Itoang Sc, member of the Board Of War, Sc ,aakss
this lucid communication in reply:
On the Sd Of the Sd month april 20, l844,) your
Excelencys despatch received, and, having been
perused, was fully understood.
Your Excellencys earnest request 10 proceed to
Peking, J, the acting Governor General, by express
i'm nodiatelv reported to the Throne and when the
pleasure of the great Emperor shall have been recev-
ed in an edct, it shall be made known ito you'll Til
will be acting strictly according the laws. am NOT
ignorant that your Excelency, having arrived in the
Province of Canton, is unwilling to b. long detained
But from the Province Of Canton to the capital, and
from the capital to the Province Of Canton the going
and returning together, require more than fifty days
when the Imperial pleasure may be received in an
edct. And for an Imperial Commissioner 10 come to
Canton there also unavodably must be required much
time Thus, then, in travelling on the road mus, be
no uncomfortable delays.
Now, although your Exceiiency had letter brough;
to China last year, STILL on account of the variable sea
winds, il could not be known when you would arrive !;
and, accordingly, High Imperial Commissioner
could not be here long in waiting. When your Ex-
cellency did arrive in the Province of Canton the
acting Governor General, Immediately made report
thereof by memorial to the Throne and SO, while
person has been selected and appointed as mperi
al Commssioner,J this, too, in my replies, must
faithfully declare, without word OF deception.
Also, regarding the reception Of yourself the High
Commissioner it is necessary to wait till the Imperial
pleasure shall have been received in edct and then
to act accordingly.
Your excellency cannot hold indiscriminate inter-
course with [ouI officers and will not deviate from
your appropriate sphere of action. Also, it is incon
venient for me- the acting Governor General to hold
any unofficial intercourse. From this fixed rule of
China, !, the acting Governor General, cannot take
upon myself to devate. But when the Imperial
pleasure has been received in an cdict, and an Impe-
chosen nd ed han vi
be incumbent lon mel to communicate the in due
FORM and not to keep your exce!ency long in anxious
suspense.
Regarding what is said of the settled ussges of
Western natons-that not to receive High Com
missioner from another Stale insult to that State
this er'aiDly, with men, has warke bearing
But during the two hundred years of commercial
intercourse between China and your country, there
has not been the least aninosIty the slightest in
suit 1t for harmony and good will your sxcelescy
has come and your request to proceed to the caPsal
and 10 have audience with tho Emperor is wholly
of the same good mind IT, then, ia tha outset such
pressing language is used, it will destroy the admir-
able reaiors.
As it is said in your despa,ch] the people of China
assurady cannot wish to have the Unned States oct
in this matter assuredy is that my country does
not harbour such evil intention. Hence it is apparent
that your Exceency's coming is Tor The good puIpos
OF securing tranquility.
AT distant day The Imperial pleasure will be re-
ceived edict, and Imperial High Commas SION
er may come to the Province Of Canton then it will
be proper TO hold intercourse with your Exceliency
according to the rules of etiquette, and to conform
those which were observed with Potlinge,, without
the slightest abatement. beg that your Exceilency
will not, through urgency, create suspicious.
For this make this communication in reply de-
string your prosperity. May ii reach the person to
whom II is addressed.
The above is the lucid communication.
To CUSHING ENJOY Extraordinary and Minister Plen
ipoenf'a'y, &c. Of the United Staies Of america.
TAou KrANG, 9Th year, Sd moon, 4M day. April
81, a ID. l644.)
True Translation 4. G.. BRIDGMAN
Joint Chinese Secretary ofthe United States
Legation TO China.