Reply of the Tsung-li Yamên to To their excellencies Sir Thomas Wade, Mr. von Brandt, George F. Seward, Mr. Ferguson, Dr. Elmore, Mr. de Luca, Mr. Heifer von Hoffenfels, Mr. Koyander, Mr. Ossa, Mr. Patenôtre, Mr. Serruys, November 26, 1879

Reply of the Tsung-li Yamên to the foreign representatives.

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

Upon the 21st instant I had the honor to receive a collective note from your excellencies, stating that your excellencies have been engaged in conference upon the internal taxation of foreign trade in this country; upon the administration of justice; and upon the conditions of intercourse, whether in correspondence or otherwise, between Chinese and foreign officials in the provinces.

Your excellencies state that in these three categories may be said to be included almost every matter to which attention seems to be demanded, whether for the removal of what may be characterized as a grievance, or for the introduction of changes that will modify what is in appearance either unreasonable or inexpedient; and that you propose to present the conclusions which you have reached, to which you are assured that this Yamên will give the most careful attention, &c., &c.

In response I beg leave to remark that it seems to me that the intercourse between the various nations of the earth exists upon the friendly basis of host and guest, from which host and guest alike seek to derive benefit and to avoid injury. In the discussion of any matter, if it is profitable to both host and guest, then there will be no divergence in their language. If it be advantageous to the guest and works no harm to the host, the latter may perhaps assent to it. But if it be advantageous to the guest and detrimental to the host, then it ought, of course, to be again considered in all its bearings.

The personality of host and guest is not fixed. Each in his own land is the host, and those opposite to the host are the guests. To-day I [the pronoun “I” represents the reader of the dispatch rather than the Prince] may be the guest and another person the host. Supposing that he goes beyond the ordinary requirements of courtesy in order to consult my convenience, then, to-morrow, he being the guest and I the host, could I require him to conform to ordinary rules in order that my convenience as host should be consulted by him?

Persons of high intelligence are able to consider at once the entire concerns of all the world with an impartial, kindly regard.

It will certainly be the duty of the ministers and myself to give careful consideration to the further note which your excellencies propose to address to us.