Prince Kung to Avery, November 6, 1874

Prince Kung to Mr. Avery.

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

It being well known that the Japanese government had taken a military force to that part of Formosa occupied by the aborigines, and as the first article of the American treaty of 1857 contains a stipulation “that, if another nation should act unjustly or oppressively, the United States, on being informed of the case, will exert their good office; to bring about an amicable arrangement of the question, thus showing their friendly feelings,” it was in accordance with its spirit that the foreign office last August transmitted to Mr. Williams a copy of the correspondence which had then passed between this government and the Japanese ministers. An arrangement having now been effected with the Japanese, involving the withdrawal of their troops and settlement of the affair, it has been decided to regard all the documents which have passed between us in relation to this affair as non avenu, recalling and canceling them all, so that hereafter they may not be quoted as valid or as a precedent.

Seeing that the territory occupied by the aborigines in Formosa, the subdued as well as the savage, all equally forms part of His Majesty’s dominions, it is, of course, incumbent oh this government to take measures to restrain those people, and prevent them from ever again injuring or killing mariners who may be cast among them. By this means friendly relations will be confirmed between us.

I have now the honor to inclose a copy of the articles of agreement and the stipulations about the payments, for your excellency’s information, and shall be gratified to receive your early reply.

To His Excellency Benjamin P. Avery, United States Minister.