The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-03-14


the following letter from Mr. Burlin-
game:
SHANGHAI, Dec. IL, 1867.
Siy-You will have learned from
my telegram from Pekin, of my ap-
pointment by the Chinese Government
as envoy to the Treaty Powers, and of
my acceptance of the same. The
facts in relation to the appointment
are as follows: was in the Percipy,
proce ding to the treaty ports of
China, to ascertain what changes our
citizens desired to have made in the
treaties, provided reunion should be
determined upon, after which it was
my intention to resign and go home.
The knowledge of this coming to the
Chinese, Prince Kung, gave farewell
dinner, at which great regret was eX-
pressed at my resolution to leave
China, and urgent requests made that
| would, like Frederick Bruce, state
China's difficulties, and inform the
Treaty Powers of their sincere desire to
be friendly and progressive. This |
cheerfully promised to do.
During the conversation, Wensiung,
a leading man of the Empire, said:
"Why will you not represent us oil
licially p | repulsed the suggestion
playfully, and the conversation passed
to other topics. Subsequently | was
informed that the Chinese were most
DESTROYS, and request was made
through Mr.. Brown, Chinese Secretary
of the British Legation, that l should
delay my departure for few days,
until proposition could be submitted
to me. had no further conversation
with them until the proposition was
made in form, requesting me to act
for them as. ambassador to all the
Treaty Powers. had in the interim
thought anXiously upon the subject,
and, after consultation with my
friends, determined in the interests of
our country and civilization to accept.
The moment the position was formally
rendered | informed my colleagues of
all the facts, and am happy to say
that they approved of the action of the
Chinese, and did all they could to for
ward the interests of the mission.
McLeary Brown, late Chinese Sec
rotary of the British Legation, was
persuaded in the common interest, to
act as First Secretary to the Mission
and Mr.. Dechamps, French gentle
man who had accompanied Ping on q
visit to Europe, was selected as Second
Secretary. Two Chinese gentlemen
of the highest rank were selected from
the Foreign Office to conduct the
Chinese correspondence, and as cou
riers.
My suite will number about thirty
persons. ] shall leave for the United
States by the return steamers fol
California.
limit myself in this note to the
above brief history of the mission
rcserving my reason for accepting il
to a personal interview at Washing.
ton
may be permitted to add that when
the oldest nation in the world, con
tanning one third OF the human race
seeks for the first time to come into
relations with the West, and requests
the youngest nation through its rep
resentative to act as a medium Of
such charge, the mission is one not to
be solicited or rejected.
Dir. S. Wells Williams for the sixth
time has been left in charge of the
United States Legation in China, and
is in every respect competent to con
duct its affairs, Permit me to request
the Government most earnestly not
to name my successor until l can give
it information which may be useful in
making a selection.
l have the honor to be sir, your
| obedient servant
ANsoN BURLINGAME.
The Hon. VIM. II. Seward, Secretary Of
| State,