George F. Seward to Wm. M. Evarts, February 6, 1880

No. 151. Mr. Seward to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: During the last few days public report has indicated that Chung How, the late ambassador to Russia, is really in serious danger of losing his life, and that the memorials to the throne in regard to his matter and the Russian treaty have indicated a spirit of much hostility to foreigners at large and outside of resentment against the Russians in particular.

My colleagues and I have considered the situation as thus described, and, while very much in the dark as to the actual facts, we have felt that we cannot stand silent when what appears to be a grave wrong is on the eve of being penetrated. We entertain no doubt whatever that the late embassador did his duty to the best of his ability, and that his return to China was nothing more than the natural consequence of the completion of his work. We know positively that a large part of his work was approved in advance of the close of his negotiations, and that his return could have been prevented if there had, at the moment, existed at the Tsung-li Yamên dissatisfaction with his treaty or a belief that the public interest required him to remain at his post.

The circumstances, then, all point to the proposition that the late ambassador is being sacrificed because of the cry raised against him by officials who have no responsibility in foreign affairs, who know the least in the world about them, and who, as a consequence, belong to the reactionary party.

The circumstances and various intimations which reach us point as well to the proposition that, while the discussion as to the Kuldja treaty had reference in the outset to its merits, they have latterly taken a line which must be considered unfavorable to foreign interests at large.

My colleagues and I, the Russian chargé d’affaires of course excepted, in view of the considerations so stated, have decided to address to the foreign office communications intended to indicate that we are not regardless of what is passing, with a view, if possible, to save the life of the late ambassador, and to intimate that foreign powers cannot disregard the question of humanity which is involved and the effect of this or other hostile demonstrations upon our general interests.

I inclose herewith a copy of the letter which I am writing to Prince Kung. My colleagues for England, Germany, and France, are sending in letters not identical with my own, but such as they have thought best suited to the occasion. Copies of their notes will be transmitted to you at a later moment.

I am free to confess that I have been actuated more by a desire to do my duty in a humanitarian point of view than by considerations of danger to our interests:

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I believe that you and that every man in our land would have the right, if this matter of Chung How’s should bo carried to an extreme point, to ask whether I had done what I could to save an innocent man from death. But of course such interference subjects one to the danger of provoking resentment. It has been my effort, therefore, to speak, as it were, from the standpoint of the effect which the action proposed by the Chinese will have upon our relations. They cannot complain at all when one keeps within this rule and speaks justly, and I believe that I have done so.

I respectfully ask your approval of the course which I have taken in this very difficult and delicate matter.

I have, &c.,