Anson Burlingame to Oliver B. Bradford, June 30, 1863

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Bradford

Sir: I beg to acknowledge your favor of the 13th ultimo, informing me of the confirmation of your appointment of vice-consul at Amoy, and congratulate you on this evidence of the approval of the government.

I have re-examined all the papers relating to the claim of Frank J. Luders, late master of the brig Iskanderia, for indemnity for losses sustained in the wreck, including the reply of the Chinese officers to Mr. Hyatt, on his demand for the payment of some rice and money alleged to have been obtained from or on account of the wreck; and the result leads me to the conclusion that we have not sufficient grounds in the premises for making a demand upon the Chinese government for indemnity.

From the evidence it appears that the prefect of Taiwan did send some soldiers and others to the assistance of the sufferers as soon as application was made, though perhaps too late to be of any real service; but by doing so he came within the letter of the treaty in respect to furnishing assistance, while, by his offer of $200 to the captain, he further showed his willingness to aid the crew in reaching home. It would be idle to suppose that any large portion of a cargo of rice would remain to be salved, after even two or three days, under the circumstances, and I do not think the local authorities can be held responsible for this condition of things.

In order to establish a claim for indemnity, the complicity of the Chinese officers in robbing a wrecked vessel is to be proved, and in this case the opposite was the fact; the only complaint made against them being that their power was weak, and their aid useless against the violence of the natives. The ferocity and insubordination of the inhabitants of that part of China is a well-known trouble to the rulers, and their weakness may gradually be strengthened, so that better government may arise; but this state of things is excepted in the treaties, and the power of the local officers to afford relief to needy foreigners must be estimated by their general ability to manage their own subjects.

I am compelled, therefore, on a careful review of this case, to conclude that the claim for losses in the wreck of the Iskanderia does not come within the meaning of article XIII of the treaty, and constitute a valid claim on the Chinese government, and you can inform the applicants to this effect.

I shall, however, bring the circumstances to the notice of the high authorities, with a request that orders may be sent to the officials in Taiwan to exert themselves actively in rescuing such American vessels as may unfortunately be lost on Formosa.

I am yours, respectfully,