Letter
Anson Burlingame to William H. Seward, June 11, 1863
Mr. Burlingame to Mr. Seward
No. 41.]
Legation of the United States, Peking, June 11, 1863.
Sir: Perceiving in the English papers by the last mail, that numerous steamers now building in England were said to be for the Emperor of China, I felt it to be my duty at once to inquire of Prince Kung what truth there was in these statements.
He informed me that eight steamers, most of them very small, had been purchased; that these constituted what is called the Osburn Flotilla, and were all that had been, or would be, contracted for.
These, he said, all left England some time since, and were now expected in China.
He could not give me their names, but I will ascertain them, and acquaint you by the next mail.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
ANSON BURLINGAME.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
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Sources
FRUS u2014 Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth
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U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the First Session Thirty-eighth .