Prince Kung to Anson Burlingame, June 18, 1863

Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame

Prince Kung, &c., &c., herewith replies upon business:

On the 16th instant I received your excellency’s communication, in which you remark, respecting the case of General Burgevine, “that the whole subject having been fully discussed between us, I now desire that all the several charges made against him by those who have falsely accused him shall be entirely withdrawn in a despatch to me, &c., &c. In my former communication I only said that General Burgevine, being in the pay of the imperial government, had seriously interfered with and misled the operations of the army in the attack on Yangfrang; the other (charges) of his having seized the public moneys and robbed the government treasury are entirely cleared, and no longer alleged against him. In the despatch under reply your excellency observes, in regard to the question of employing him further, that you do not wish to press it, and that on this point there need be no dispute between us or dissatisfaction felt. Consequently, I need not discuss this point any more, and, therefore, all the charges made against him are entirely obliterated and withdrawn, and the whole matter is, therefore, finished. It is for this purpose that I reply and submit it to your excellency.