Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-02-15
SECRETARY SEWARD IN PEKIS.
His Visit to the neutrality-suspicious.
Kung's Visit TO Him.


A Shanghai letter to the Philadel-
phia inquirer says that the stories
that the chinese were opposed to hay-
ing Mr.. Seward visit Pekin, were IN
ventions of the people that want TO
make war with China. When Sec
retary Seward expressed his desire to
pay q visit to the Tsugil-yamen, as
representing the Chinese Govern
ment, the request was granted and
the time fixed, but the Prince was
suddenly seized with a VIOLENT spell
Of sickness and was not able to see
him at the time appointed. But Mr..
Seward considering that his proposal
had been to visit the Tsungil yamen,
and not the Prince individually, re-
solved with his party to proceed. The
party was received by the members of
the yamen, with great ceremony and
apparent eordality. The interview
lasted q considerable time; all busi-
ness was discarded, and the high off,
cials, freed from the restraints OF pub
lie affairs, carried their relaxation to
the borders Of festivity.
Next day Prince Kung sent to Mr..
Seward a note full Of regrets at his
having failed to see the distinguished
stranger the day before, and asked
when it would be convenient for Mr..
Seward and his party 10 receive a
visit from him. They were then on
the point Of starting for the Great
Wall, and replied that they would be
happy to see him on their return
Accordingly, two days after they came
back, the Prince came to see them at
their quaters at the Russian Legation,
reiterated his apologies at great
length, and expressed his gratitude to
the Americans for their continued
friendship, and especially bis obligs-
tions to Mr.. Seward in connection
with the Burlingame embassy and
treaty. He than inscribed his auto
graph in the album Of one OF the
ladies Of the party, and took his leave.
Next day he sent large box of mag
nificent presents-cOstly blue enamel
ed vases, bronzes, silks, &C., &c.
The Secretary had become familiar,
through the dispatches and State pa
pers of successive American ministers
at Pekin. with the name Of WensiangY
one of those political geniuses who
with little outward hustle, manage 70
control and direct mighty influences,
and who till recently was the great
wirepuller Of the Government ma
chine at Pekin. At the Tsungli-ya-
men Mr.. Seward asked for him, and
was told that, in consequence Of de-
eiining health, he had not been there
for nearly two years. A note was
sent TO him asking whether his in
frmity would prevent him from re-
ceiving a visit from Mr.. Seward. His
reply was that the smallness Of his
poor house, &C., &C., made him unit
to receive so distinguished a guest
bat IL Mr.. Seward would permit him
he would visit them at theirresidence. I
A time being appointed, he came ac-
cordingIy and expressed great pleas
ure at seeing Mr.. Seward, with whose
antecedents and Political importance
he seemed well acquainted, and said
that the thought of his friendliness
wac engraven on his tWensiangis)
heart and could never be effaced.
It viii thus be seen that, 50 FAR as
receptions are concerned, the visit TO
Pekin has been perfect success, and
the hOmilies of the press failed in
their purposes gratifying fact 60 all
who do not desire war with China.
The fact Is becoming more and more
apparent that there Is 8 party in China,
and not confined to this locality, con-
tinually exerting power to promote
a war. Many Of this party profess TO
see indications Of the snti-fereign
party, and profess to believe it will
soon be formidable enough to cOerce
the government into the adoption OF
measures to annul the treaties formed
with other nations, and inaugurate a
war for the exterminstion Of all for
eigners. Their object, however, is
transparent and wholly mercenary,
and Notwithstanding they have the
cooperation Of of the press they
must fail.