Letter

Chester Holcombe to Comly, July 2, 1878

Author

Chester Holcombe

Recipient

Comly

Date

July 2, 1878

Type

Letter

Language

English

[Inclosure 4 in No. 21.]

Mr. Holcombe to Mr. Comly.

Peking, July 2, 1878.

Sir: Your letter of March 9, addressed to Mr. Seward, and asking his good offices in behalf of two Chinese, arrested by the viceroy of Canton upon a charge of abducting their countrymen to be used in the Hawaiian Islands as slaves or coolies, was received by him at the moment of his departure for the United States. He much regretted his inability to attend to the matter in person.

In conformity alike with your desire and his advice, I addressed an informal note to Prince Kung, who is at the head of the foreign office here. I inclose a copy of my note and of the response which I have received from his imperial highness.

You will notice that the prince promises to address me again upon receipt of a report from the Canton viceroy, to whom he has sent a copy of my letter.

I will not fail to keep the business in mind, and to take such action as I can with propriety in it. I shall also take pleasure in furnishing you with such further information as I may receive from the foreign office here.

I have, &c.,

CHESTER HOLCOMBE.

Topics

19th Century Diplomacy Reconstruction

Sources

FRUS u2014 Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the P View original source ↗

U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the P.