Year: 1869

SHAkGHAE, July IL, JS6y.


GENTLEAES-I have read with great pleasure the
communications which you have had the Kindness
TO address to me IN relation to foreign policy In
China The generous manner in which you have
expressed your approval Of my Official course, as
diplomatic representative OF the United States at
Pekin will be gratefully remembered by me long
after my departure from these shores / need
scarcely assure you that my homeward voyage VIII
be cheered by the rejection that however unavail-
ing my efforts have been during my brief sOjourn at
the capital 10 extend the limits of commerce and
friendly intercourse with this empire. they have
been generously appreciated by the class who have
labored most persistently and most enectually to
promote everywhere throughout the world the great
cause Of civilization.


Fully concurring In the views expressed In your
addresses. respecting the policy essential TO the
maintenance Of our treaty rights In this country,
take pleasure in stating that since the day OF my
arrival in Pekn 10 the present time, have strenu-
oualy advocated every proposition which you have
advanced. The conclusions to which you have been
led by long practical experience, have been reached
on my part through the simple process OF reason
aided by careful study OF the history OF foreign
intercourse with China. IL Is gratifying to feel that
this unanmity OF opinion is founded upon an en-
during basis OF truth, and that principles In support
Of winch there is such concurrence OF testimony
will not require TO be maintained by fancifuI and
delusive theories


II would be impossible, In the multiplicity OF
nv engagements and she brief time Intervening
before my departure, TO give you complete ex-
position OF my views the questions suggested
In the addresses. These papers cover so broad a
0eld for the expression OF opinion and embody so
many important questions of international policy
that mere glance at the leading points would re-





sideration than can now bestow upon them.


brief review OF the recent history and present
attitude OF China towards foreign governments from
q STANDPOINT differing In some respects from that
oil the foreign residents at the ports may not he
altogether devoid OF interest


10 has been alleged that the so-called new policy
means justice TO China, and sucn means pro
Qress Speaking In behalf Of the American govern
meat / mus. say that the Inference from this /.
utterly unwarranted by facts SO far as can gear
from the published correspondence or my predeces
sors during the past ten years, the policy OF Tho
United States has been fair and cOnclliatory; and,
am quite sure. there has been no departure from o
similar policy on the part OF Great Britain No new
system has been adopted and no new revelation has
been made.


Justice in our dealings with this nation as with all
Others cannot be TOO highly commended II IS right
IN Itself, and whatever is right h eXpedient. Ac
ceptinR this as the basis OF all advantageous inter
course between nations, still think there ~ room
for question ~ 10 matters OF facL and difference al
opinion as TO the deductions be drawn from lessons
Of experience. While there few VINO will be un.
reasonable enough to deny the proprety OF justice
towards CHINA, there are many who may conscen
tiously desire 10 know what IL means. II Christian
nations are TO give a construction to treaties Daset
upon rules ofnternatonal law adopted in the interes
OF civilization, and emma, on ts part, Is 10 constru
them according TO the lights or the interests OF pa
ganlem there is Ger tanlv room for inquiry TO h'
practical duty OF each, and the means by which In
furious complications may be avoided Is i
manifest 10 my mind that the superior canno
enter upon O course OF retrogresson 70 adapt ltsel
TO the inferior; and II any relations nc al
exist they must exist upon such equitable terms
the stronger may elect TO adopt II surely would b
q singular policy for any civilized nation to reln
quisn It's own Interpretation Of justice and accep
that of China. There s an lrrecODcilabe dinerenc
between the pagan and Christian faitn, upon whlcl
the whole difl1cuty OF our relations impinges. Tn
one IL based upon isolation and repulsi0n seekin
the good OF none beyond us own limits; the other
broad, generous and humane, seeking tue good {
ALL Ia order to be true to our own faith we ca
only concede 80 much as may be reconcilabe VIII
the sacred duties which II incucates; for, II we Y
beyond that, We admit the right OF any naton, how
ever degraded to enjoy the privileges and immun
ties OF a civilized power, while II persstently RI
Jects the obligauons imposed Wy the community 9
nations for The general welfare. In other words, N
lend our influence to the maintenance Of false an
supersttious systems and the degradation OF on
fellow creatures.


The principle laid down by the government OF IN
United States ~, thaf nations like CHINA or Iapa
may ''enter into the sphere OF pubic law IN IN
relation OF government 10 government but not n
The relation of government 10 men:m and be reaso