Pao-yun to Benj. P. Avery, November 26, 1874

Ministers of the foreign office to Mr. Avery.

We beg to present, our compliments.

We, the high ministers, have had the honor to receive your note of yesterday, in which you state that, as the ceremonies to be observed at the audience have all been agreed upon, it is unnecessary for them to be again rehearsed, but that you will send Mr. Williams to-day up to the foreign office to ascertain the hour, and speak of the points necessary to be arranged, &c.

In reply to the above, we may observe that the performance of the ceremonies appointed for an audience should be so conducted as to promote the good understanding between the two countries and well exhibit the great respect due to the letter to be presented from one to the other. For these reasons we have endeavored, since we last year humbly requested that the first act of this kind might be done by the various ministers, to carry out every point in due order; and to this end have in every instance appointed for each of them a day beforehand to come to the foreign office and rehearse the ceremony.

Your excellency has only just now arrived in China, and although you are no doubt well skilled, and have practiced forms of etiquette, we hope that you will examine with us the former details, and come to the foreign office to rehearse the ceremony, and thus show the care which should be taken in it.

At the same time we can consult upon the hour for the audience and upon other matters.

We particularly desire that you will do this, and also that your excellency will bring the text of the address which you intend to make, as it is very important in arranging every particular that we should have it.

As we return this reply, we beg to add the expression of our best wishes.

Cards of