Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session Thirty-eighth Congress, Part III

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward

No. 79.]

Legation of the United States, Peking, June 3, 1864.

Sir: Please find (marked A) letter to Mr. Seward in relation to the question of jurisdiction at Shanghai. There is a constant tendency on the part of foreigners in making their municipal arrangements to aggress upon the rights of the Chinese, and it is necessary constantly to recall them to the safe ground of principle.

My short instructions to Mr. Seward, who agreed with them, as did the British consul and Sir Harry Parker, were, he informs me, just in time to aid the deliberations at Shanghai.

Seeing the determined attitude of Sir Frederick Bruce and myself, our citizens made their action conform to our views. Mr. Seward, in the general interest, came to Peking with the plan agreed on for a municipal government, according to the principles indicated by us in my despatch No. 37. To this Sir Frederick Bruce and I assented. Thus, at last, disappears practically as well as theoretically, as between us and the English, the vicious concession doctrines; and in the place of antagonism, we are now fused into one mass of strength, in exact conformity with our treaty obligations. I will write more fully of this matter when I shall receive from Mr. Seward the regulations, with an account of their operation.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c, &c.

A.

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. George F. Seward

Legation of the United States, Peking, March 29, 1864.

Sir: I approve of your action in the case of David Williams, as set forth in your despatch No. 21. As I sent the original papers down to you, I have not the facts with which to make up my despatch to the government. Will you be so kind, therefore, as to send me a brief history of the case. As to the question of jurisdiction, I think we ought not to take jurisdiction of the Chinese in Shanghai, or the foreigners of the non-treaty powers, even though the Chinese authorities may desire it. Our object should be to strengthen the Chinese in the administration of their own affairs, and to see to it that they shall not shirk their treaty obligations. I indicate my views that they may be a guide to you in your discussions upon the subject.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

ANSON BURLINGAME.

George F. Seward, United States Consul General, Shanghai.