No. 146.]
Commissioner of
the United States to China,
Peking,
China, July 31,
1901.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Prince Ching and Li Hung
Chang, to Mr. De
Cologan.
Your Excellency: On the 25th of July we had the
honor to receive your excellency’s communication of 19th July, as
follows:
“In reply to your letter of 10th of July, in which you propose that the
foreign ministers going to audiences with His Majesty the Emperor of
China should change their sedan chairs before going through the
Ching-yun gate, and leaving there those in which they had reached that
point, get into little sedan chairs borne by two hearers who would carry
them to the foot of the steps of the Chien-ching gate, I have the honor
to inform you that the foreign representatives have declared themselves
satisfied with the proposal.”
In reply, we would beg to observe that the foreign representatives having
agreed to the proposal made by us in our communication of the 10th of
July as to the place where they should alight from their chairs on going
to audiences, and not insisting on placing us in a difficult position,
fully evidence the fact of their friendliness and sympathy. The question
of the ceremonial at audiences having now been settled, we will shortly
send a special memorial to the Throne stating that it is now closed.
The creation of the Wai-wu Pu (Foreign Office) has already been presented
to the Throne, and an edict issued which we have communicated to your
excellency in another communication. Article 12 of the Joint Note has,
therefore, been complied with and need not be a subject of further
discussion.
In sending this reply, we beg your excellency will be good enough to
communicate it to your colleagues.
