Benj. P. Avery to Prince Kung, January 15, 1875

Mr. Avery to Prince Kung.

His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c., &c.:

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your highness’s dispatch, informing me that His Imperial Majesty departed this life on the 12th of this month, and that as your sorrow at this event is so overwhelming, and you are obliged incessantly to at attend to the duties connected with the mourning for him, you have concluded that it will be expedient for a brief period to defer the management of public business, &c., &c.

My surprise at receiving this startling intelligence is not easy to express. It is not yet two months since I had the honor of an audience with His Majesty, and at that time he appeared to be in good health, and his youth gave promise of a long reign; and low to learn that he has “become a guest on high” fills me with the deepest sorrow and regret.

I shall immediately inform the President of this event, and both, he and the American people will be all filled with sincere regret on hearing of it. The friendly relations which have existed between our two countries for so many years make this occurs nee fitted to draw out their sympathies, and increase the mutual interest which now binds them to this nation.

With respect to the intimation given in your highness’s dispatch, I accept the proposed arrangement to defer for a time the discussion of public business, unless it be a matter of the most pressing necessity.

I avail myself of this occasion to renew to your highness the assurance of my high regard.