The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-08
The Chinese Embassy.
HoUsE-sPEEoHEs OF MANDARIN BURLNGAME
AND PRESIDENT JOHNSON.

On Friday last at noon, Mr.. Burlingame and
the rest of the Chinese embassy, including the
two mandarins, the two secretaries obligation,
Messrs. Brown and Du Champs, and six native
interpreters, were presented at the White
House to the President by Secretary Seward, in
the official Blue Room. There was large
crowd at the Executive Mansion, drawn by Gu
riosity, but the presentation was not public, no
one being admitted as spectators except the
Presidents Cabinet and secretariesS all of
whom were present. The interview WAS very
formal and ceremonious. Tho speeches deliv.
cred were in substance as follows:
Mr. Burlingame addressed the President, al
lnding to his departure, seven % years ago. nom m
China, and his return as the Minister Of that
empire to the United States. He stated that
the Imperial Chinese Government having,
within the last three years, accepted the laws
Of nations as they are allowed and practiced
by the Western powers, has further concluded,
If permitted, to enter into communication
through the customary diplomatic way with
the United States, Belgium, Denmark, France,
Great Britain, Holland, Italy, North Germany,
Prussia, Spain and Sweden. He said: "We
are charged, at the expense Of what might bear
the appearance Of egotism, to say that there
are nine official ranks in China. BY showing
greater possible respect to Western powers,
the letters to which refer were committed to
the care Of myself Of the first rank, and to
Chik Tsjen and Sun Tajen, Of the second rank,
plenipotentiary functions, and all OF US being
accredited to you as high minister's and en-
voys. We have now the honor to deliver the
letter Of his Imperial Majesty, which is thus
addressed to the President OF the United
States"
The President, in his reply, acknowledged
vthe compliment in the appearance here of this,
tions, as being not more singular than sug-
gestive. Contrasting the former reserve, not
to say jealousy, Of foreign nations towards the
United States, he said that the natural thought
of America to establish ultimately the Ameri-
can continent and islands into American
States is no longer anywhere contested, any
more than the inherent right OF man TO
change domicile and allegiance. 10 conclusion
he said
81 trust that the intelligent and enlightened
Chinese Government and people will allow me
to build upon this days transaction an expec-
tation that their great empire, instead of re.
naming, as heretofore, merely passive, will
henceforth be induced to take an active part in
the general progress Of civilization, There are
several lines OF naVlBatlOu petWeeu GuIope aiiu
China; citizens of the United States have al.
ready constructed q road across the Isthmus of
Panama, with hne Of steam service across
the Pacific Ocean. In two or three years more
there will be added to these facilities Of inter
course the Pacific Railroad across our own con.
tinent, and ship canal constructed under
French patronage across the 1sthmus Of Suez.
and more important than all OF them, the great
work OF connecting the two oceans by ship
canal to be constructed across the Isthmus o.
Darien. To doubt the feasibility Of such worl
would imply an ignorance Of the science and
wealth of the age in which we live. Your inn
portant mission will enable You TO contribute
largely to the achievement OF that great enter
commend it to the favor of the United States
Of Columbia, as well as to the Government o.
China, and the several European States tc
which you are accredited"