Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.

No. 146.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith copy of a note to the dean of the diplomatic corps from the Chinese plenipotentiaries, acknowledging the receipt of the former’s note of the 19th instant (copy sent you in my No. 140) and expressing gratification at the satisfactory settlement of the audience question.

I am, etc.,

W. W. Rockhill.
[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.