Benj. P. Avery to the ministers of the foreign office, November 25, 1874

Mr. Avery to the ministers of the foreign office.

Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday in relation to the designation of the 29th instant as the day for the audience in the Tsj-kwang-Koh, (or pavilion of purple brightness,) and adding the request that I would visit you at the foreign office to-morrow to rehearse the ceremony, &c.

In respect to the ceremonies to be observed by a foreign minister when he has an audience for the purpose of presenting his letter of credence, I may observe, in reply,, that they have all been agreed upon, and every detail has been settled, so that it appears to me to be quite unnecessary to go to the foreign office, as you propose, for the purpose of again practicing them. I have, however, directed Mr. Williams, the secretary of legation, to visit you at 2 o’clock to-morrow afternoon, in order to learn the hour appointed, and speak of such things as may be necessary to agree upon in carrying out the arrangements.

I beg, in sending this reply, to wish you every happiness.