Frederick F. Low to P. S.—Since writing the foregoing General Vlangaly has called to say that he had just received a note from General Le Gendre to the effect that after the embassador notifies his presence in Peking to the Chinese government he will make an unofficial call on the foreign, May 13, 1873

No. 70. Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.

Sir: Herewith I beg to transmit copy of a letter received from Mr. Consul Sheppard, of Tien-tsin, giving an account of the proceedings of the Japanese embassy while at that place. It is interesting, and will repay perusal.

After the embassy closed their business there they came on to Peking, arriving here on the 7th instant. They occupy a temple in this city about one mile from this legation.

The morning after their arrival General Le Gendre called upon me. He came, he said, as an American citizen to pay his respects to the American minister. He took particular pains to impress me with the fact that his visit was unofficial; also, that he was unprepared to give any information as to the embassy with which he is connected, or its business; to which I replied that I had no desire to meddle with the business of the Japanese.

If, however, the embassador should at any time need my good offices, I said it would afford me pleasure to render him such assistance as I could, consistently with my other duties. In the course of the conversation I discovered the real object of the general’s visit, which was to intimate that the Japanese embassador would insist that his superior rank should be recognized by all the ministers here, native and foreign; in other words, that he should expect all the foreign representatives and the Chinese ministers, including Prince Kung, to call upon him.

In response, I said that it was extremely doubtful whether such a claim could be made properly; that if made and insisted on, it would most likely isolate the embassador from the other foreign representatives, and prevent all personal intercourse between him and the Chinese government.

I further observed that I was not familiar with any rule of etiquette which would justify an embassador in taking rank over an envoy until after he had been received and recognized by the head of the government to which he is accredited. But, aside from the absolute right and wrong of this case, there are strong reasons why the foreign ministers should not accede to the request. They are now in joint negotiation with the Chinese government concerning a question that is of great importance to all the treaty powers. The business seems now to be in a fair way to an amicable and proper settlement. Were the Japanese embassador to be recognized as the dean of the diplomatic body, and take part in the negotiations now pending, it would have the effect to reopen the discussion, and this would cause delay, which would probably defeat what now seems nearly gained. I concluded by saying that, owing to my present physical infirmities, the question of making calls of ceremony could hardly be considered a practical one with me; that the decision concerning the question raised lay with my colleagues chiefly, and suggested that they be consulted.

The general seemed to be very decided in his opinions; he affirmed, with considerable warmth, that it would be derogatory to the dignity of the embassador were he to recede from the position indicated. In support of his view of the case, he referred me to the rules laid down by the Congress of Vienna of 19th March, 1815; and to the published account of the reception of Count Fleury, as French embassador at St. Petersburg He was also so indiscreet as to indulge in a menace, to the effect that in case the foreign ministers failed to recognize the claims set up by the embassador, the interests of their governments in Japan would probably be made to suffer for it.

Subsequently the general consulted with the Russian minister, and through him, as dean, with those of England and France, all of whom most emphatically declined to yield to what they considered an unauthorized assumption put forward by the embassador, or his counsellor, or both.

From what the Russian minister has told me about his interview with General Le Gendre, the latter, I infer, made use of the same arguments and threats that he did in his conversation with me. He also submitted to General Vlangaly a long written memorandum on the subject, and asked that he and his colleagues would reply to it. No answer has, hear, been returned, nor has any notice been taken of the general’s memorandum.

I may add that General Le Gendre’s action in this matter has made a very unfavorable impression upon my colleagues; it has evidently increased their jealousy and distrust of him. If he displays no more discretion when dealing with the Chinese ministers, his presence here will do the Japanese much harm, I fear.

I have, &c.,