Avery to His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, November 10, 1874

Mr. Avery to Prince Kung.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your communication of the 6th instant, informing me that in August last you had forwarded to Mr. Williams a copy of the correspondence which had then passed between the imperial government and the Japanese relative to the Formosan affair, trusting to the good offices of the United States for help in the matter, in accordance with the friendly assurance in the American treaty of 1857; and also informing me that an amicable arrangement has now been made with Japan whereby that nation formally recognizes the sovereignty of China over the whole of Formosa and agrees to withdraw her troops therefrom, China admitting on her part that Japan was justified in seeking to punish the savages, and agreeing to make compensation for the wrongs inflicted by the latter, and for the roads, buildings, and other works made by Japan on the island. You had a right to expect the friendly offices of the United States, and it gives me pleasure to state that they have been exerted, both here and in Japan, by the representatives of my Government, in the way of preventing our citizens from engaging in warlike operations against a nation with which we are at peace; in advising against any invasion of the sovereignty of China; and inlending support to proposals for a peaceful settlement on a basis alike honorable and just.

It is with sincere satisfaction that I have read the terms of settlement with Japan, which are inclosed in your highness’s communication, and which prove the readiness of the imperial government to concede all that was just when assured that the territorial rights of China would be respected. The admission made in the preamble that “it is incumbent on this government to take measures to restrain the Formosan savages and prevent them from ever again killing or injuring mariners cast among them,” is only a righteous recognition of the duties of sovereignty and humanity, and is no more than China can honorably admit or than other great nations admit and practice. It is a natural sequence of this that a country suffering wrongs from any failure on the part of another to restrain its savage subjects “should look to the other for redress, China affords this redress in the case of Japan by allowing a money compensation.. The whole settlement, therefore, comports with the obligations and dignity of the imperial government. Doubtless, the efforts that will hereafter be made to subdue the Formosan savages will lead to such a development of the resources of the island and such an increase of commerce as will redound largely to the profit of the Chinese people and government.

In conclusion, allow me to congratulate your highness that the danger of war on this subject has been so happily averted, and that the imperial government is free to study how it may advance the peaceful progress of China.

I have the honor to be, sir, your imperial highness’s obedient servant,