Frederick F. Low to His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, & c, June 30, 1870

Mr. F. F. Low to Prime Kung.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your highness’s dispatch of yesterday, containing copies of two imperial decrees respecting the appointment of Tsunghow as imperial envoy to France, and of Chinglin to fill the post of superintendent of the three northern ports for the time, &c.

His excellency Tsunghow has so long been in charge of the trade at Tien-tsin that he has become thoroughly conversant with it; and of all the details connected with the recent riot at that city, the killing of the French consul, and what followed, he was an eye-witness. In respect, therefore, to the causes of this excitement and the subsequent attack, he will, in his position of imperial envoy to France, be able to fully explain all that took place on that occasion, and remove the apprehensions of the French people as to what may grow out of this very serious affair. The origin and progress of the agitation up to the final outbreak are all well known to him, so that his appointment at this juncture as a special envoy seems to me to be a wise step.

The high officer Chinglin, who has already filled the post of intendant and collector at Neuchwang, has been well spoken of by the American consul at that port as well versed in the details of trade, and an officer who executes the duties devolving on him with equity and consideration. His appointment to temporarily fill the post of superintendent of trade for the three northern ports is, therefore, likely to prove satisfactory to all, and is very agreeable to me.

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