The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-08
Mr.. Anson Buriingame's Mission Eavo,
OF China 10 the Treaty Powers.
The State department has received the follow
ing letter from Mr.. Burlingsme:


The State department has received the follow
ing letter from Mr.. Burlingame:
SHANGHAI, Dec. IL, 1867.
Sir-You will have learned from my telegram
from Pekin Of my appointment by the Chinese
government as envoy to the treaty powers, and
my acceptance Of the same. The facts inrelation
10 the appointment are as follows:
was on the Percpy, proceeding to the treaty
ports Of China 10 ascertain what changes our
citizens desired to have made in the treaties, pro-
vided revision should be determined upon, after
which il was my intention to resign and go home.
The knowledge Of this coming to the Chinese,
Prince Kung gave a farewell dinner, at which
great regret was expressed at my resolution TO
leave China, and urgent requests made that
would, like Sir Frederick Bruce, state China's
difficulties and inform the treaty powers Of their
sincere desire 10 be friendly and progressive.
This i cheerfnlly promised to do. During the
conversation, Wensiung, leading man of the en-
pire, said, Why win you not represent Us OH
cisllyf' irepulsed the suggestion playfully, and
the conversation passed to other topics. Suisse
quently i was informed that the Chinese were
most DESTROYS, and request was made through Mr.
Brown, Chinese secretary OF the Britis1 legation,
that | should delay my departure for a few days,
until proposition could be submitted to me. /
had no further conversation with them until the
proposition was made 10 FORM requesting me to
act for them as ambassador TO all the treaty
powers. had in the interim thought anxously
upon the subject, and, after consultation with my
friends determined, in the interests of our coun-
try and civilization, TO accept. The moment the
position was formally rendered informed my COL
lesgues Of all the facts, and am happy 10 say
that they approved of the action Of the Chinese,
and did all they could to forward the interests of
the mission.
J. MeLeary Brown, late Chinese secretary Of
the British legation was persuaded 10 the COM
mon interest TO act as first secretary TO the mis-
sion, and Mr.. Dechamps, aFrench gentleman who
had accompanied Ping on a visit 10 Europe, was
selected as second secretary. Two chinese gen
tlemen of the highest rank were selected from the
foreign Office to conduct the Chinese correspond
ence, and as couriers. Ny suite will number
about thirty persons. shall leave for the United
States by the return steamer for California.
limit myself in this note to the above history
of the mission reserving my reason for accepting
1t TO personal interview at Washington. Imay
be permitted TO. add that when the Oldest nation
In the world, containing one-third Of the human
race seeks for the first time to come into relations
with the West, and requests the younger nation,
through its representative, to act as a medium Of
such charge the mission is not one to be solicited
or rejected.
DR.. s. Wells Williams, for the sixth time, has
been left In charge OF the United States legation
in China, and is in evory respect competent TO
conduct affairs. Permit me to request the gov.
eminent most earnestly not to name my successor
until can give IL information which may be useful
in making selection.
have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
ANsoN BURLINGAHE.
Hon. VIM II. SEWARD, Secretary Of State.