The San Francisco call., 1897-06-13
SOME "REMINISCENCES OF ANSON BURLINGANE
Told by Sister Of the Famous Diplomat Present Living
in Gai

1t Will oubtless be surprise TO most of
THE CALLS readers to learn that the fa-
vorIte sister of Anson Burlingame is
spending the evening OF her days in the
pleasant re tirement of a rose-em powered
cottage IN beautiful Alameda County.
Arson Burlingame. although his re-
markable and most brilliant career was
brought to a sudden and much de plored
close while he was yet comparatively a
young man, left behind him name which
is honored by all true Americans, and a
record in both public and private life of
which not only those near and dear to
him, but the country to whose service he
devoted his time and talents from earliest
manhood, may well be proud.
Anrson Burlingame was a gifted orator
and a successful politician. He was en-
dowed with qualities which made him
foremost among the diplomats of his
time; but better than all this is the fact
that his unblemished and since rely Chris
tian life made him an exemplihcation OF
the best type OF true manhood.
Most of US are familiar with the main
incidents of his public life. His fiery
free-soil speeches carried him into the
Massachusetts State Senate in 1852,
and he was elected to Congress
by the American party in 1854
soon alter identifying himself with the
Republican party, then in its infancy,
and taking prominent place in the many
discussions of the slavery question.
His quick acceptance of Preston
Brooks challenge. which followed close
upon his public denunciation of Brooks
rdl
on the floor of the House. met with the
approval OF even those most sternly op-
PISSED to the practice of dueling.
In 1861 President Lincoln appointed him
Minister to Austria, but because OF his
speeches in behalf of the freedom of Hun
gary that country refused to receive him
and he was soon after appointed Minister
10 China, where, after he had gained the
confidence of those in power, he was en-
abled to perform a signal service to his
own Government by negotiating the IA
nous Burlingame treaty of l867-68
His appointment by Prince Kung, re.
= mt OF the Chinese empire, as special
en- bassador to the United States and the
leading powers OF Europe. was an honor
never before conferred upon foreigner
and many San Franciscans recolIect the
sensation created in our city when Mr..
Burlingame land ed here with his numer-
Gus retinue of richly clad Chinese digni
taries,
Two years later a Russian war vesse
teamed into New York harbor draped in
mourning and with flags at haltmast,
bearing home in funeral state all that was
mortal of the high-soued man whose life
l. l. .ith F,l
mission.
So much we all know. 1t is the record
of his public life and has been given to tn,
world at large as its right OF his private
fife we know little. since that belonged tc
his family and friends and to have even a
glimpse OF it is privilege not easily
earned nor lightly bestowed.
1t was the writer's happy fortune re.
Gently TO pass long and delightful after.
noon as a guest of the silver haired lady
who has proudly worn throughout heI
life the name made famous by her we'll
beloved brother.
Mrs. Belsey Burlingame Hinman wa;
my hostess and her home is in the pleas
ant suburban village of Lorin, where, sine
her modest reserve generally renders hel
silent concerning her personal history
few know more OF her save that she is, de-
spite her years, an earnest church and
temperance worker-a woman of cleal