Mr. Seward to Mr.
Adams
No. 1616.]
Department of State,
Washington,
December 2, 1865.
Sir: You will receive herewith a copy of a
despatch of the 27th ultimo, No. 115, from Anson Burlingame, esq., our
minister accredited to the government of China, and of the translation
of a note of the 11th of February last from Prince Kung, which
accompanied it.
It was my pleasing duty in the month of February, 1864, by instruction
No. 839, to bring to your knowledge the important and friendly
proceedings of the honorable Sir Frederick W. A. Bruce, then her
Britannic Majesty’s envoy in China, concerning the disposition of the
vessels known in our correspondence as the Osborne flotilla, and which
you informed me in your despatch of the 26th of February, 1864, No. 606,
you had in conversation with Earl Russell brought to his lordship’s
notice.
From the papers which I have now the pleasure of communicating to you,
you will perceive that Sir Frederick Bruce, animated by the same just
and generous spirit which distinguished his conduct during his sojourn
in China, proposes to recommend to her Majesty’s government a prompt and
satisfactory adjustment of the question of the disposition of the
vessels, and the compensation of the Chinese government therefor, in
accordance with the plan therein indicated.
I will thank you to express to Lord Clarendon, her Majesty’s principal
secretary of state for foreign affairs, the entire satisfaction of the
United States with the course pursued by Sir Frederick in reference to
this matter, and in his relations with us here, and to inform his
lordship that it would be agreeable to this government if the views thus
to be presented should find favor with those of her Majesty.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams, Esq., &c.,&c.,&c., London.
Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 115.]
Washington,
November 27, 1865.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose a note
handed to me, on behalf of Prince Kung, by Tung Suim and Hangki,
members of the Foreign Office of China. It relates to the “Osborne
flotilla,” and my connexion therewith. I ascertained in London that
the British government would take the vessels and pay for them as
soon as an appropriation could be made. I was requested by the
British authorities to consult with Sir Frederick Bruce, now the
British minister here, to the end that he might advise his
government in the interests of justice. I have seen Sir Frederick,
who, I am happy to say, is prepared to aid the Chinese and to urge
his government to at once close the business according to their
wishes.
This proposed action on his part is but a continuation of that spirit
of amity which led him, in the interests of peace, to send the
flotilla to England, and will be appreciated by you.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
[Page 671]
Prince Kung and others to
Mr. Burlingame
[Note handed to the United States minister on the 11th. of
February, 1865, by Tung Suim and Hangki, members of the Foreign
Office.]
We beg to address your excellency respecting the sale of those
steamers:
Last year you and the British minister, Sir Frederick Bruce, made
an excellent arrangement for us respecting the disposition of
Captain Osborne’s flotilla, according to which he was to take
the vessels back to England, dispose of them there, and remit
the proceeds to China; and both myself and all the members of
the Foreign Office were deeply grateful for the friendly
disposition and great assistance rendered us in arranging this
affair so that we could then place the details on the records of
the board of revenue. We also reported the whole of the
circumstances to the throne, and received directions to arrange
it in that way.
However, more than a year has now elapsed since that was done;
and when Sir Frederick Bruce left here, on his return to England
last summer, we personally requested him to devise some way on
his arrival by which the whole business could be soon closed. In
September last Mr. Wade officially informed us that owing to war
then existing in the west it was not unlikely that some delay
would arise in selling, the vessels, owing to an apprehension
that some of the belligerents might get them. We replied, that
if the British government would take them for their own use
one-fifth, would be deducted, and we enclosed an account
corresponding with this proposition. He answered that he could
not himself make any final arrangement respecting them, but as
soon as the directions of his government respecting them were
received he would inform us.
As no intimations concerning this matter had been received in
November last, we wrote to Sir Frederick himself, urging him to
arrange it as soon as he could, and confided the letter to Mr.
Wade to translate and forward. As nothing has been hitherto
received from Sir Frederick about the sale of the vessels and
remittance of the proceeds—as we had expected—we are left in a
state of anxious uncertainty concerning them. We are well aware
that he and your excellency made the most suitable and
satisfactory arrangement at the time for their disposal, and we
all, both myself and colleagues in the Foreign Office, have
entire confidence in your honor; but as the affair is connected
with the revenue of the country, as long as it remains unsettled
so long are we responsible for the issue.
Knowing that you both then so willingly agreed as to the proper
mode of action, we therefore do not hesitate to write your
excellency this note upon the subject. As soon as you can
ascertain the present value of these steamers, and [or] when
their proceeds will be remitted to China, we shall be very much
pleased to receive your answer, and thereby relieved from our
present suspense.
We avail ourselves of this opportunity to present our compliments
and best wishes for your happiness.
Card of PRINCE KUNG,
With those of PANYUN,
WANSIANG,
TSUNGLUN,
TUNG SUIM,
KANGKI,
SICH HWAN.
His Excellency A. Burlingame.