Anson Burlingame to His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, Chief Secretary, October 12, 1863

Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the despatch of your imperial highness of the 10th instant, in which you inform me of the loss of the American ship Kien-wan, on the 27th ultimo, by a storm, and that her crew had been indebted to the military magistrate of Fuh-chau for hiring a junk and making arrangements to protect them and their cargo, &c.

I shall at once bring this praiseworthy kindness of the officers of his imperial Majesty to men from afar to the notice of the President, and respectfully request your imperial highness to accept my thanks on behalf of the crew of the ship.

With respect to the statement that the linguist wrote an official despatch, as it has not been reported to me by the United States consul at Yingtsi, Mr. Knight, nor had I before heard of it, I will inform him of the conduct of the linguist, and ascertain what seal and official title he used, that the circumstances may be inquired into and the man admonished.

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