Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-02-02

Mr.. SEWARD AT PEKIN. - The Shanghai
Courier, December 6, gives the following details
of Mr.. Stewards interview with Prince Kung and
other Chinese officials at Pekin.
"While at the capital, Secretary Seward, Ad-
miral Rodgers, and MIR. George +. Seward, the
consul general, intimated their desire to pay
visit TO the Isung-li-yamen, as representing the
Chinese government. A reply was received
agreeing to the proposal, and appointing a time
for their reception. On the day named, just as
they were about to start for the Yamen, a note
was brought stating that Prince Kung had been
suddenly seized with violent collie and would be
unable to see them; but the other members Of the
Yamen were awaiting them, and would be happy
to see them. 1t was for a moment question
whether they should not postpone their visit till
Prince Kungs recovery was announced. But
considering that their proposal had been q visit
to TZuugil Yamen and not the prince indivdu-
ally, they resolved to proceed, and were received
by the members of the Yamen with great cere-
mony and cordially. They were profuse in
their expressions of regret at the sudden iDdiS-
position which prevented the prince from being
present in person. The interview lasted con-
siderable time; all business was discarded, and
the high officials, freed from the restraints of
public affairs, carried their relaxation to the
borders of festvity.
Next day Prince Kung sent to Mr.. Seward n
note full of regrets at his having failed to see
asked when it would be convenient for Mr.. Sew
ard and his party to receive visit from him.
They were then on the point of starting for the
Great Wall, and replied that they would be hap
pY to see him on their return. Accordingly,
two days after they came back, the prince came
to see them at the Russian legation; reiterated
his apologies at great length, and expressed his
gratitude to the Americans for their continued
friendship, and especially his obligations to Mr..
Seward in connection with the Burlingame en-
1assy and treaty. He then inscribed his auto
graph in the album OF one of the ladies of the
party, and took his leave. Next day he sent Il
large box Of magnificent presents, costly blue
enamelled vases, bronzes, silks, &c., &c.
The secretary had become familiar, through
the dispatches and the state papers OF successive
American ministers at Pekin, with the name
OF Wen-Siang, one of those political geniuses
who, with little outward hustle, manage to con-
troll and direct mighty influences, and who, till
recently, was the great wire-puller of the gov
eminent machine at Pekin. At the Tsungli-
yamen MIR. Seward asked for him, and was
told that in consequence of declining health,
he had not been there for nearly two years.
A note was sent to him asking whether his
infrmity would prevent him from receiving Il
visit from Mr.. Seward. His reply was that the
smallUess of his poor house, &C., made him unfit
to receive so distinguished guest; but if Mr..
Seward would permit him, he would visit them
at their residence. A time being appointed he
came accordingly, and expressed great pleasure
at seeing Mr.. Seward, with whose antecedents
and poll ical importance he seemed well ac-
quainted; and said that the thought of his
friendliness TO China was engraved on his (Wen-
siang's) heart, and could never be etfaced"