Anson Burlingame to William H. Seward, July 2, 1863

Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward

Sir: I have the honor to send you the correspondence between Prince Wittgenstein and myself, in relation to a waiver of the time, now little more than four years, within which, by existing treaty, a Prussian minister cannot reside permanently at Peking.

The Prussians, having at present an increasing commerce in China, are desirous of sending at once a minister to Peking. This would facilitate all negotiations in relation to that commerce, both with the Chinese and the foreign treaty powers. In view of the advantage to flow from a relaxation of the treaty in this respect, my colleagues and myself, by way of friendly suggestion, consented to make a statement of them. To me the members of the government stated that while they were willing, personally, to grant the request of Prince Wittgenstein, still if they did so the anti-foreign party would accuse them of granting more than was required by the letter of the treaty, and they did not wish to complicate themselves with new troubles, but they did not positively refuse to grant the request. Of course I did not press them, for I sympathize with them in their difficulties. In reply to Prince Wittgenstein’s question as to whether he had better press them for a distinct declaration on the subject, I advised him to leave the negotiations where they were, so that at some future time the other ministers and myself might present the request under more favorable auspices.

In this view my colleagues concur, and the Prince has decided to leave the question in our hands.

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