No. 158.
Mr. Angell
to Mr. Blaine.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, April 30, 1881.
(Received June 20.)
No. 150.]
Sir: In my No. 140, of the 11th instant, I
announced the death of the Empress Dowager, commonly known as the Empress of
the Eastern Palace.
I now inclose a translation of an Imperial edict, which has been communicated
to me by Prince Kung. It gratefully recognizes the virtues and services of
the deceased Empress, describes her illness and death, and orders the proper
arrangements for official mourning to be made.
I inclose also a translation of a Farewell Mandate of the Empress. This was
not officially communicated to me, but appeared in the Peking Gazette.
Though drafted by some official after the Empress’s death, by a customary
fiction it is ascribed to her, even though it describes her falling into
unconsciousness, from which, in fact, she did not awake. I think the paper
may interest you.
I forward, also, a copy of my reply to Prince Kung’s communication, which
covered the imperial edict.
The court is still much occupied with the ceremonies of mourning.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 150.]
Prince Kung to Mr.
Angell.
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes
a communication:
Peking, April 11, 1881.
I have the honor to inform your excellency that on the 19th
instant the grand secretariat was honored by the receipt of the
following Imperial edict:
“Since Our entrance upon the inheritance of the great dynastic
line, looking upward, We have been the recipient of fostering
care and unbounded maternal affection from the departed Empress,
T’zu-an*
Twan-Yu-K’ang-Ching-Chao-Ho-Chwang-Ching.
“During the seven years which have elapsed since Our accession to
the Throne, as, anticipating Her wishes, with respectable care
we provided for Her wants. Our efforts have been greatly
rewarded by the joyous and happy contentment which She has
always manifested.
“The robust health which we seemed to recognize in Her appearance
and movements, and Her zeal for state affairs at all times, were
a source of great joy and comfort to our mind, and we hoped that
Her life would be prolonged a hundred years, that She might long
continue in the enjoyment of happiness. On the 7th instant the
benign body was suddenly taken ill. A decoction of medicine was
immediately given to dissipate the ailment and restore health,
but unexpectedly on the following day the sickness rapidly grew
dangerous, respiration was hindered by copious generation of
phlegm, and the case became urgent and desperate. Between the
hours of 7 and 9 p.m. the benign spirit rode in the fairy
chariot and ascended to the remote regions. Prostrate upon the
earth, with outstretched arms, we raised our cry to Heaven,
bewailing our overwhelming grief.
“We have reverently received the dying behest of the departed
Empress that the mourning garb be laid aside after twenty-seven
days. Our feelings would indeed be
[Page 261]
hard to reconcile if we should do this. We
shall therefore observe deep mourning for one hundred days, and
half mourning for the full term of twenty-seven months, to
manifest in some degree our sincere sorrow at this bereavement.
The departed Empress having also admonished us to endeavor to
control our sorrow and give due regard to the importance of
state affairs so as to console the Empress Dowager,
“Tzu-Hsi*
Twan-Yü-Kang-Yi-Chao-Yü-Chwang-Ch’eng,” in return for Her care
in educating and nurturing us, we dare not disregard this
advice, and, in respectful obedience to the bequeathed command,
we shall endeavor to check and restrain our sorrow.
“Let the Prince of T’un, Yi Tsung; the Prince of Kung, Yi Hsin;
the Beile, Yi-Kwang; the minister of the presence, Ching Shou;
the grand secretary, Pao-Chun; the assistant grand secretary and
president, Ling-Kuei; and the presidents, Ngen-Ch’eng and
Ong-Fung-Ho, with respectful care attend to the rites and
ceremonies to be observed in the present mourning. [Let them
carefully examine the prescriptions of the old canon and
memorialize us as to the appropriate rites and ceremonies to be
observed. Let this decree be promulgated throughout the Empire
for the information of all.]
“Respect this.”
It becomes my duty to forward a reverently prepared copy of the foregoing
edict for your excellency’s information.
James B. Angell.
Note.—The part in brackets is not included in
Prince Kung’s communication, but appears in the copy of the edict
published in the Peking Gazette.
[Inclosure 2 in No. 150.]
Valedictory Mandate of the Empress
Dowager.
An edict of the Empress Dowager, “T’zu-An†
Tuan-Yü-K’ang-Ch’ing-Chao-Ho-Chwang-Ching,” saith:
Our virtues are very insignificant. We reverently received by decree of
His Imperial Majesty Wen T’sung Hisén‡ the dignity of Empress. When His
Imperial Majesty Mu-Tsung-Yi§ succeeded to the great heritage His filial piety
was always sincere. With unaffected respect and sincerity He anticipated
our wishes and zealously provided for our wants. Since His Imperial
Majesty, the reigning Emperor, entered upon the inheritance of the great
dynastic line His regard for our wants and zealous inquiries after our
health have shown the natural sincerity of His filial piety. From the
time of His accession to the Throne His great aim has been by every
endeavor to attain to that perfection of a reverent and virtuous nature
by a diligent pursuit of His studies, thereby greatly rejoicing and
comforting our mind.
Notwithstanding the complex nature of the multifarious affairs of
government which have claimed our diligent attention both night and day,
it has still been our good fortune to enjoy a robust and strong bodily
constitution, and we indulged the hope that our life might be prolonged
till we should attain to the state of helpless old age.
On the 7th instant we were attacked by a slight indisposition. His
Imperial Majesty waited on us with a restorative, and was solicitous for
Our health, praying for Our speedy recovery. Unexpectedly, on the
following day Our condition became dangerous, and gradually, about the
hour of 8 p.m., Our senses became scattered, until all hope of recovery
has passed away.
Our age has reached the number of forty and five years. During the twenty
years in which we have enjoyed the exalted rank and prerogative of
Mother of the Nation, we have frequently been blessed with the
bestowment on us of titles of honor on every occasion of national
rejoicing. There is nothing on which we can look back with
disappointment.
Believing that His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, will naturally be
smitten with great grief at this bereavement, and as in His character of
Lord of the people the whole nation is interested in the welfare of His
person, we hereby enjoin on Him the wisdom of moderating His sorrow in
view of the great importance of state affairs, and looking upward to
comfort and solace Her who had labored for His instruction
[Page 262]
and education, the Empress
Dowager “T’zu Hsi*-Tuan-Yu-K’ang-Yi-Chao Yü-Chwang
Ch’eng.”
It is our hope that all our officials, both civil and military, in the
capital and the provinces may, by sedulous attention to their official
duties, help to bring about good rule. Thus in truth will our soul rest
in happiness.
As regards the observance of mourning, it is Our wish that His Majesty,
the Emperor, will, on consultation, and in obedience to the
prescriptions of the old canon, lay aside the mourning garb after
twenty-seven days. On no account should any departure or diminution be
made in the usual ceremonies of worship and sacrifice in the large state
temples, nor should the rites and observances of the smaller temples be
interrupted. We have heretofore been the leading example of economy and
frugality in the palace, but we do not wish to dissimulate Our modesty
by willing that any abatement be made in all matters of mourning as
prescribed by canon. We wish, however, that a little moderation should
be practiced in regard to funeral trappings and ceremony, that due
regard may be given to economizing labor and material. Thus will
compliance be shown with the modest wishes of our daily life.
Wherefore we have given utterance to the foregoing decree. May all
concerned act in obedience thereto.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 150.]
Mr. Angell to
Prince Kung.
I have the honor to receive your imperial highness’s communication of the
11th instant containing the edict of His Imperial Majesty concerning the
death of the Empress Dowager T’zu Au-Tuan-Yü
Kang-Ch’ing-Chao-Ho-Chwang-Ching.
I desire, in behalf of the government and the nation which I represent,
to express sincere sympathy with His Imperial Majesty and with this
nation, which they will feel on hearing of the death of the Empress
Dowager, who has fulfilled the duties of her high office with such
devotion to the welfare of the people and such helpfulness to their
Imperial Majesties Tung Chih and Kwang Su.
With assurances of distinguished consideration,
I am, &c.,
