G. F. Seward to Wm. M. Evarts, August 13, 1880
No. 177. Mr. Seward to Mr. Evarts.
No. 742.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 718, in which I forwarded to the department a translation of an imperial decree temporarily revoking the sentence of death passed upon Chung How, late Chinese minister to Russia, I have now the honor to hand to you a copy of a further decree by which he has been unconditionally set at liberty.
In acknowledging the receipt of this information, I have felt bound to convey to Prince Kung my satisfaction at the action thus taken, which, in my opinion, will serve to lessen the difficulties in the way of a peaceful solution of questions now pending between China and Russia.
I have, &c.,
an imperial decree.
(Received by the Privy Council of State, August 12, 1880.)
Some time since we issued our mandate that the sentence of decapitation—after the autumn assizes—passed upon Chung How be temporarily revoked, but that he be held in confinement until the Marquis Tseng had reached a satisfactory solution of the treaty negotiations with which he is charged.
We are now in receipt of a memorial from the foreign office, stating that they have a telegram from the Marquis Tseng saying that he has entered upon his negotiations and earnestly begging them to memoralize us in his name that further leniency be shown, &c.
Let further grace be shown to Chung How and let him be set at liberty.
The Yamên concerned will take note.
Respect this!