Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1908-12-09

Letter From tie Late Emperor Ten
dering That Country's Gratitude
Fbr the Remission of the Indem-
nifty Incident to the Boxer Rebel
lion.
Washington, Special.-"Long may
your excellency enjoy good health
and happiness. May the American
people be ever blessed with prosper
ity and peace. These are our heart
felt wishes.'
The above are the sentiments ex-
pressed in a letter from the late
Emperor of China to President Roose-
welt, presented to him by Tong Shoa
vi, the special Chinese ambassador,
thanking the United States for the le-
mission. of s14,0OO,OOO of the indem-
nifty guaranteed by China for dam
ages resulting from the Boxer rebel
lion.
The Emperor's Letter.
"The Emperor of China to the
President of the United States of
America.
Correcting. Mr.. President: China
has always maintained the most
friendly relations with the United
States since the establishment of in
tercourses between the two countries.
BY taking the initiative in proposing
the remission of a portion of the in
demnity as provided by treaty your
cxcellency has won the respect of
mankind for magnanimity and just
dealing. Furthermore, the Congress
has given signal proof Of friedliness
by giving effect to your excellency's
recommendations. In sincere appre-
citation of this generous action, we
hereby appoint Tong Shoa vi, an Of
fetal with the rank Of president OF
a ministry and governor of the pro-
vince Of Feng Tien, as special ambas-
.sador to proceed to the United States
for the purpose of presenting this our
letter. We have always placed entire
confidence in his eminent ability,
clear perception and sterling integ-
rity. We have specially commanded
him, in the discharge of his duties, to
convey to your excellency the express
sion of our grateful thanks, and tes-
tify to our lasting friendship. 1t is
our hope that the relations Of the two
countries will be further strengthen
ed by mutual confidence. Long may
your excellency enjoy good health
and happiness May the American
people continue to enjoy prosperity
and peace. These are our heartfelt
wishes.
"Given on the 24th day Of the Sth
moon in the 34th year of Kwang Hau
(September 10Th, 19Os)."
In presenting the letter, Ambas-
sador Tong said every line Ct it
breathes friendship and good will
for the government and people of the
United States and voices the senti-
ment of all China.
"The action of the United States
in remitting a portion of the in
demnity as provided by treaty has
touched the government and people
of my country with a deep sense Of
gratitude, . said Ambassador Tong.
The Presidents Reply.
In reply the President said:
"The letter which you bear, I re-
ceive with great appreciation; and
on behalf of the government and
people Of the United States I accept
it with quite exceptional sentiments
as a message of especial friendship
from your august sovereign, whose
death and the demise of her imperial
majesty the late Emperor Dowager
we lament. I receive it with the
more profound sentiments in that
you bring it now no less from the
Emperor. the celebration of whose
accession makes this day doubly
auspicious, and from that enlighten-
cd government which all the world
feels will add new lustre through his
reign to, the -imn,emorial history of
China.
cit is very gratifying to me to
receive as his imperial majesty's
special ambassador so distinguished
a statesman and so worthy a repre-
sentative. I know you have been IN
the United States before. l hope
your present sojourn will be agree
able.
"I ask you TO express to your au-
gust sovereign and to the Chinese gov
ernment my appreciation. and that of
the government and people OF the
United States of the sending OF
this special embassy, which so finely
signalizes a fresh manifestation OF
that sincere confidence, good will and
friendship between the United States
and the Chinese empire which 1t IS
cherished aim of this government
to foster for all time."