FREDERICK, Prince of Wittgenstein to the Hon. Anson Burlingame , Envoy Extraordinary and, June 30, 1863

Prince Wittgenstein to Mr. Burlingame

Sir: Allow me, before I proceed to solicit another favor, to express to your excellency my very sincere thanks for the very effectual and friendly efforts you have been pleased to make, at my request, for the purpose of obtaining from the Chinese government a declaration in regard to the permanent establishment of the Prussian legation at Peking. Although I have been for some time quite determined to elicit such a declaration, even at the risk of being an unfavorable one, I must desire, however, before I take a definite step in the matter, to know as exactly as possible the chances on both sides, and I should, under these circumstances, feel extremely obliged to you if you would be so kind as to inform me how the representations you caused Dr. Williams to make to the Chinese government in your name, and on my behalf, have not met, and also whether you have received a memorandum in reply to that which you drew up and had presented to the Chinese government. Of that memorandum I should, at all events, be most happy to possess a copy. Pardon me for thus troubling you once more; but allow me to say that I shall feel sincerely obliged to you for the answer to this communication, with which I trust you will favor me, and for the advice in regard to my future proceedings, with which I beg you will accompany it. If this advice should happen to be absolutely adverse to the definite step which I had, as above mentioned, contemplated, and if you should be of opinion that by taking it I might not only incur a flat refusal, but even endanger the success of new negotiations in regard to this question, possibly to be tried hereafter, I beg your excellency would be good enough not to withhold that opinion from me.

I have the honor to be, &c.,