Prince Kung to S. Wells Williams , United States, Chargé d’affaires, November 22, 1887

Prince Kung to Mr. Williams.

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

Since the time when the treaties with foreign countries and China were ratified, the friendly relations between the two parties have daily strengthened. Every matter that has come up for discussion between the representatives of those nations now living at the capital and myself has been deliberated upon with so much sincerity and candor that they have in no case failed to be arranged to our mutual advantage. But all those countries are separated from this by wide oceans, and no envoy has hitherto been sent to those lands, and thus there has been no medium through whom the Chinese government could personally make known its views to their governments, or explain its policy. But now, seeing that his excellency Anson Burlingame, lately the minister residing here from your honorable country, has such thorough acquaintance with the internal and external relations of this country, and I myself have such entire confidence and acquaintance with him, it has seemed to be feasible for this government now to adopt the customs of those countries who have sent resident ministers to this, and it would; moreover, be exceedingly agreeable to me, to commission him as the envoy of his Imperial Majesty’s government to all the treaty powers, to attend to and manage whatever affairs may arise between them.

I have already stated this matter in a memorial to the throne, and yesterday I was honored by receiving the following rescript:

“The Envoy Anson Burlingame manages affairs in a friendly and peaceful manner, and is fully acquainted with the general relations between this and other countries; let him, therefore, now be sent to all the treaty powers as the high minister, empowered, to attend to every question arising between China and those countries. This from the Emperor.”

A copy of this rescript has been made known to Mr. Burlingame, and this copy has also now been made to communicate to your excellency, for your information and action thereon.