Prince Kung to Anson Burlingame, January 25, 1863
Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame
Prince Kung, chief secretary for foreign affairs, communicates the following:
On the 4th of this moon (January 22, 1863,) a communication was received from Li, the governor of Kiang Su, in which he states the following:
Some time ago I ordered the “Ever-Conquering Legion” (Ward’s men) to join the imperial army, and, in conjunction with it, be ready for an attack on Nanking. Burgevine had gone to Ningpo to bring his troops, but, unaccountably, did not make his appearance. In the mean time I was informed by Wu, the Taoutai of Susung, (the Taoutai residing in Shanghai,) that on the 29th of the 10th moon (December 20, 1863,) he, the Taoutai, had brought up some steamers to Chinkiang, intending to wait there until all the troops should be got together, and then start at once to attack Kiowfuchow. At that time Burgevine had already returned from Ningpo to Shanghai, but still refused to obey orders to join the imperial troops, alleging that he was not well. I then ordered the Taoutai, Wu, and officer Yangfung, to come up at once to Chinkiang with the rest of the steamers. Soon afterwards I received a communication from Fangchwanshu, the prefect of Sungkiang, in which he states the following: On the 14th of the 11th moon (January 3, 1863,) Burgevine arrived at Sungkiang, and shut the gates of the city. The prefect found out the reason why Burgevine did so was because he had not received the pay due his troops, and that he intended, therefore, to pillage the city. The prefect having remonstrated with him, and promised that he would get at once the pay due his troops, he returned to Shanghai.
It turned out, in fact, that his troops had received their pay up to the 9th moon. Moreover, the officer Yangfung promised to let him have the rest of the pay immediately on his starting for Nanking.
Burgevine flatly refused to do any such thing, and also said he would throw up his commission. Yangfung began to reason with him; but he left him in a passion. He then went to Sungkiang, and brought back with him some of his armed men, with whom he entered the dwelling of the said Yangfung at Shanghai; made a violent assault on the latter, striking him on the forehead, nose, and chest, causing him thereby to expectorate blood without ceasing; and finally seized with force upon treasure found in Yangfung’s house, amounting to more than $40,000, which money was designed to be paid to the troops. All these facts I have been apprized of by the above-mentioned prefect of Sungkiang, who also petitioned me that I would arrest Burgevine, to punish him according to the law. Moreover, I am informed that Taoutai Wu and officer Yangfung requested General Stavely to remonstrate with Burgevine on his conduct, and that the general and Consul Medhurst told them that they did inform Burgevine that he must at once resign his command, and wait until his case should be decided by the Chinese authorities. Now it appears to me, that Burgevine being in the Chinese service, and having also obtained an official rank (3d degree) from the Chinese government, and hence became a Chinese subject, having now offended against law, he ought of course to be dealt with according to the law of China. Thus far the statement of Governor Li. Prince Kung finds that Burgevine had originally a command in the “Ever-Conquering Legion,” under the authority of Ward. As to Ward himself, it is well known how generously the Chinese government rewarded him for his exertions and merits. He was raised to the rank of general; and when he died of the wounds received in battle, the governor of Kiang Su at once informed his imperial Majesty of it. His Majesty graciously conferred upon him great honors, (posthumous,) and in an edict eulogized him in a manner highly conducive to his glory, (Ward’s.) Now, Burgevine, being already an officer in Ward’s army, was, on the death of the latter, put in command over the troops. He has already been raised to the third degree. This being the case, he ought, of course, to treat others in the manner he has been treated, be ready to act whenever his services are required, and be obedient to orders. But instead of all this, he first refused to obey the order given him to proceed to Nanking; then made an outrageous attack on a fourth-rank officer, and finally seized with force upon $40,000. The Prince is of the opinion that Burgevine, being now a Chinese subject, and having offended against the law of this country, certainly ought to be arrested and punished in accordance with the law of China. If this shall not be the case, then there could be no impartial application of the law, both of foreign countries and of this government. He has therefore already transmitted an order to the governor of Kiang Su, Lieh, to manage in one way or another to have Burgevine arrested, and then proceed with him according to law. The Prince communicates this to your excellency, and begs that you would instruct the American consul in Shanghai to lend his aid in the arrest of the said Burgevine, so that he might be brought under punishment.
A communication to his excellency the honorable Anson Burlingame, minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary of the United States of America to China.