Prince Kung to Anson Burlingame , United States, November 30, 1866

Prince Kung to Mr. Burlingame

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication:

It has lately been reported at the foreign office that the newspapers in the Chinese language circulated at the open ports, which are printed and circulated By foreigners, have repeatedly contained articles defaming the officers of this government. As native traders and others constantly read these newspapers, if the officials are maligned in them, it will seriously injure their reputation and influence, and moreover lead the people whom they rule over to become disaffected and despise their authority.

It is probable that those who issue these newspapers are unaware that such an offence comes within the scope of the statute respecting posting anonymous placards, which prescribes a severe punishment for the offence; In China, as elsewhere, good and bad people act differently; and there are many reckless persons who, caring nothing for themselves about being branded as criminals, disseminate unfounded reports, either openly promulgating the charges themselves, or secretly engaging others to do it for them, and all to create disturbance. Your fellow-countrymen cannot for themselves inquire into these reports, but they give them wide currency by printing them for distribution. I am disposed to think that the laws of the United States also forbid and restrain such offences, and punish those who defame and injure the reputation of officers or people.

In saying this I have no desire to prevent the general discussion of such things as are of public importance or trustworthy, or of whatever relates to China of common interest to all classes; but to permit people to write baseless calumnies against officers is really doing an injury to the reputation of his Majesty himself.

It is incumbent on me, therefore, to request your excellency to issue an equitable regulation, which will restrain these proceedings, and prevent the officers of the country being thus maligned by unfounded accusations through the newspapers in future; and it is for this purpose that the present communication is sent to you and the other foreign ministers in Peking.