Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-21
NO. 6S.
THE LATE ANsON BURLINGANE.

THE LATE ANSON BURLINGAME
The st. Petersburg correspondence of
the New York Tribune has the following
information about the late Mr.. Burlin-
game, under date of February 23:-
1t is barely three week since the Chinese
Embassy arrived here, and but week
since they actually entered on their duties.
The government met the embassy in the
spirit in which it came. and resolved to
receive it at once and cordially After
Mr.. Buringame had paid his first visit to
Prince Gorts chaknff ne received calls from
the high court officials, and Gortschakaff,
in spite of his gout. which gives him
great pain, returned the visit in person.
It was arranged that the Chinese ministers
should have formal audience of the En-
per0r with the ceremonial usual for am
bassadors only. The Empress received
with the Emperor-a new and unusual
thing-and the other members of the i'm
perial family We're present. Mr.. Burlin-
game, in presenting his credentials, made
the usual formal address of the wishes of
the Emperor of China for the health of the
Emperor and family, the prosperity of
Russia, ard for peace between the two
empires. The Emperors reply will quote
in full, as a speech from Alexander H. is
a rarity u am very glad to see you
here. since your presence is a new proof
of the peaceful and friendly relations
which have always existed betweensus
and China. hope that your negotiations
here will only confirm these excellent re-
lations and will serve more than all to in
crease our commercial relations. | am at
the same time very glad to see the inter-
ests OF China represented by the citizen of
a friendly State which is especially svmpa-
/ thetic to Us" Mr. Burlineame, who be-
! fore all else was an American, was great
! " pleased with this last sentence, and
particularly 10y the murmur of suppressed
applause which followed if. Subsequently,
Mr.. Burlingame had some pleasant con-
yersation with the Emperor in which he
said that the American people reverence
him for his decree of emancipation almost
As much Us their sainted Lincoln" The
Emperor seemed very much touched, and
replied. II do not deserve it. / have
never done aS much as he" Yes, but
your Majesty did it first was Mr. Burlin-
games answer.
Mr.. Burimgane appeared at that time
in perfect health. but he had slight
cough, and | have since learned THAI he
WAS Il little indisposed before leaving
Berlin. He frequently said he would be
glad to have q few weeks rest and quiet
before beginning again the rounds of din
ners and balls that he was obliged to nm
dergo in every capital. On Friday he was
some what unwel and kept his bed, and
DR.. Carrick. an English physician, was
called in, who said that there was some
trouble of the liver united with tendency
to congestion in the right lung. This,
however. was not developed until Satur,-
day, and even then it was thought that in
a couple of DAYS it would be all over and
that Mr.. Burlin2ame could 90 ont. At
the advice Of friends other physicians were
called in, and on Sunday DR.. Zdekaner,
physician to the Empress, and DIR. Borkin,
two most eminent physicians of ST Peters
burg, were consulted. They considered
the case very severe one, but thought
that if the disese could be prevented from
spreading until the crisis was past, which
they predicted for last night, the result
would be favorable. Mr. Burlingame
was at that time in very severe pain, and
was unable to lie down, but sat in an ann
chair. Monday the pain was somewhat
eased, and there was almost no change in
his state up to the last evening. His wife
and eldest son, who were with him, though
| apprehcnsive, were very hopeful, and
/ there was thought to be no reason for post
ponin@ the dinner which Mr., Curtin, our
minister, was to give that evening in
honor Of Washington's birthday.
Mr.. Hurlingame, however, passed
bad night, being first delirious and then
unconscious. The physician was constant
/ " in attendance. and declared the crisis
passed about six this morning. Soon after
Il paralysis of the lungs set in. the breath
gradually ceased. and by I l-2 he was
dead, SO quick and sudden was the termi-
nation of the disease. Mr.. Curtin. who
was sent for a soon as there seemed to be
danger arrived Just rs he died The ply
sicians We're the best that could be had,
and another doctor, sent especially by the
] Empress, said that the patient could be in
no better hands. The Chinese. from high
est to lowest, are deeply affected by the
death of their chief, and are in great be-
Wiiderment and distress.
1t was easy to see how thoroughly Mr.
Burlngame's heart was in his work. He
considered it crusade for reform and
progress. as much 50 as the anti-slavery
struggle in America, and said that if he
had not been schooled in that contest he
should never have had the courage and
energy to take up this. During his illness
he said once that he was weary offighting q
against all the world. But Mr.. Burlin-
game, while interesting himself so deeply
in China. was still Il thorough patriot, and
lost no opportunity of doing what he could
for the United States. This loss to China
is irreparable, for no foreigner will prob
ably ever have that great, unwavering
confidence which the Chinese reposed in
him. Gen. Vlangally said this afternoon,
very sadly; I'VE might as we'll stop now,
fear il is all over"