Henry Trescot to Sir Thomas Wade, November 19, 1880

The commissioners to Sir Thomas Wade.

Sir: As we have had the honor to receive at your hand, as the representative of the diplomatic corps in Peking, an invitation to join you in conference upon certain subjects of common interest to all the Treaty Powers, it becomes necessary to inform you that two members of the Commission Plenipotentiary sent hither by the Government of the United States, Messrs. Swift and Trescot, will leave this capital on the 20th, upon their return home.

Of several subjects commended our care, we have fortunately succeeded in making such treaty arrangements as we hope will be acceptable to our government. We would feel it our duty to remain and join in any negotiations with our colleagues upon such subjects as remain unsettled were it not that we feel ourselves authorized to believe, from what has passed in the conferences which we have attended, that at present no further result can be attained than a reference to their home governments of such propositions as they may agree upon, by the diplomatic representatives of the Treaty Powers. As we have already had the honor to signify our entire and cordial agreement with the views of the diplomatic body as to the recommendation to be submitted to the consideration of the Chinese Government, and, upon its consent, to be referred home for approval, we beg to inform you that any further discussion which may arise will be left to the charge of Mr. Angell, one of the commissioners, and who remains in Peking a Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary.

We have, &c.,