Anson Burlingame to His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, October 25, 1862

Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung

The undersigned, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to China, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of two communications from Prince Kung, principal secretary of state for foreign affairs, one dated September 20, and the other October 12, calling attention to a supposed violation of treaty on the part of his countrymen, by trading in steamers and arms contrary to law.

To these communications the undersigned has the honor to reply that as early as December last he learned, through Chief Justice Adams, of Hong Kong, that the Rev. Mr. Roberts, then in the rebel service, had informed him of an intention, on the part of the rebels, to purchase steamers in the United States, and that they had raised the sum of money your highness mentions for that purpose. He immediately addressed a communication to his government, stating what he had heard. To that communication he received a reply, informing him that after careful inquiry the government could not learn of any transaction of the kind. He subsequently met Mr. Roberts, after he had declared against the rebels, and inquired concerning the report; Mr. Roberts informed him that the rebels intended to have purchased steamers, but that, having no money, they had abandoned the idea of doing so. He is inclined to believe, unless your highness has certain knowledge to the contrary, that the present report is but a reiteration of the Roberts story. The rebels could not hope to do anything with steamers, for the imperial forces, with the war vessels of the treaty powers, would not permit them to float one day in safety. He will, however, call the attention of his government once more to the subject, and do all he can to prevent the citizens of his country from violating, in any way, the treaty.

With regard to the selling of arms to the rebels, and other contraband articles, of which your highness justly complains, he has to say that ever since he has been in the empire he has, by word and by deed, made every possible effort to prevent his countrymen from doing these things. At Ningpo and Shanghai, his country’s consuls, with his sanction and under his direction, aided in seizing arms, and will do so again. He is ready, and so are all the officers of the United States, on land and sea, to consult and co-operate with the officers of the Emperor and the treaty powers, to the end that trade in contraband articles may be prevented. His honest countrymen, equally with those of your highness, are suffering from the lawless conduct of a few villains, who are lending themselves to murder for gain. Your highness does not call the attention of the undersigned to any specific violation of treaty by his countrymen He is not aware that there is any certain evidence that the brave General Ward was shot by any foreigner, much less by one of his own countrymen. The undersigned would call your highness’s attention to what he deems the dangerous practice, on the part of the Chinese officials, of granting permits to parties to land arms, to be held in port until they may be purchased by the Chinese government. When so placed, it is almost impossible to prevent a portion of them from being diverted from their legitimate use. The undersigned has reason to believe that when his country’s officers have sought to seize arms, as contraband, they have thus been protected.

The undersigned renews to your highness assurances of his high consideration.