Anson Burlingame to Prince Kung, January 1, 1863
Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
Sir: I have examined carefully the evidence in relation to General Burgevine, most of which has been submitted to your Imperial Highness, and have arrived at the conclusion—
1st. That he did all he could to go to Nanking, and was on the point of leaving when the unfortunate difficulty with Takee occurred.
2d. The trouble with Takee sprung from a misunderstanding between the General and Takee, after the money had been delivered.
Now, as to the first point, it must be admitted that no blame attaches to General Burgevine; and as to the second, he was in fault for striking Takee, for which fault he tenders his regret and makes an apology. General Burgevine has been nearly three years in the Chinese service; he has been wounded seven times; he has never been charged with any fault, and though he has fought in nearly one hundred battles, has never been beaten. Ward’s force has been largely organized by him; he has grown up with it, and he knows how to get on with the men; without him there is danger that it will be lost to the imperial government: indeed, it has already suffered disasters when not led by him I know General Burgevine to be a friend of the Chinese and their government, and that he intends to remain in their service as long as he is permitted to do so with honor. Now, in view of these things, and as a sincere friend of the imperial government, desirous of seeing the rebels put down and order restored; and knowing the friendship of your Imperial Highness for my country, I have to request that General Burgevine shall be restored to the command of the “Ever-Conquering Legion.” I fully recognize that the force that General Burgevine is to command is a Chinese force, and subject in its general direction to the authority your Imperial Highness shall indicate. I can inform your Imperial Highness that the English and Russian ministers are equally desirous with myself that General Burgevine shall be restored to his old command, and that they will co-operate with me in lending him and his force such countenance as may not be inconsistent with treaty obligations. I pledge myself that General Burgevine will do all he can to make things go smoothly, and to aid the governor in suppressing the rebellion.
I have, &c.,