Prince Kung to To George F. Seward, June 29, 1876

Prince Kung to Mr. Seward.

Sir: This Yamen is in receipt of a communication from the northern superintendent of foreign trade, stating that upon the 11th of June a letter was received from Rung, (Yung-Wing,) expectant intendant of circuit, now in America, in which he said that statements were constantly appearing in the newspapers to the effect that the low Irish residing in the city of San Francisco were in the habit of molesting the Chinese. The cause of this ill-treatment existed in the fact that this low class were envious of the Chinese because they came in such numbers and interfered with their wages. He was also in receipt of a letter from the guilds in San Francisco, stating that Chinese upon arrival in that city were continually assailed with every species of abuse upon their debarkation, and it was known to the guilds that these same classes had selected two officials and dispatched them to Washington to consult measures for the suppression of Chinese emigration, &c.

This Yamen begs leave to remark that the fifth article of the supplementary treaty with the United States declares that “The United States of America and the Emperor of China cordially recognize the inherent and inalienable right of man to change his home and allegiance, and also the mutual advantage of the free migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects, respectively, from the one country to the other, for purposes of curiosity, of trade, or as permanent residents,” &c. And the sixth article declares: “Citizens of the United States visiting or residing in China shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities, or exemptions, in respect to travel or residence, as may there be enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of the most favored nation; and, reciprocally, Chinese subjects visiting or residing in the United States shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities, and exemptions, in respect to travel or residence, as may there be enjoyed by citizens or subjects of the most favored nations,” &c.

The purport and intent of which is that the people of either country are at liberty to go and come at will, and kind treatment on either part is to be accorded to them, as is so plainly stated in the supplementary treaty.

We therefore feel bound to hand you the particulars of the treatment received by the Chinese in San Francisco at the hands of the low classes of Irish, as narrated in the letter of the northern superintendent of trade, and their purpose of interfering with Chinese emigration, and to request that you will communicate with your Government and request, in accordance with treaty, the suppression of such acts, in order to the maintenance of friendship between the two nations.

With compliments, &c.,