William H. Seward to To George F. Seward, June 29, 1876

No. 42. Mr. Seward to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to advise you that I paid a visit yesterday to the ministers of the foreign office.

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The conversation about the Chinese in California was a long and frank one. I mentioned briefly the difficulties which are experienced there; as, for instance, their competition in the labor markets; their isolation from our people, as a result of differences of origin, speech, customs, &c.; their immoralities, consequent upon the lower grade of society from which they originate, and the absence of women; their inadequate regard for sanitary conditions, &c. I assured them of the benevolence of our Government and people, and an indisposition to allow unjust discriminations to be made against any classes resident within our borders. I took occasion to dwell strongly upon the need which they have to establish their proposed legation at Washington, and the almost greater occasion for a consulate at San Francisco. They met what I said with the simple statements that our people ought not to complain if theirs were more skillful in certain avocations; that they had heard of the agitation; that they would dispatch Chên Lan Pin to establish the mission at Washington soon; that they would bear in mind what I had said about the need of a consulate at San Francisco, and that they must look to our Government to protect their people. This latter point they reiterated, not unpleasantly, several times during the discussion. They seemed to feel confident that this protection would be extended, and expressed the wish that their countrymen might be treated as well everywhere as we treat them.

It is fortunate, I think, that I introduced this discussion. This will be the better understood when I call attention to a dispatch on the subject which they have sent to me to-day, a copy of which I inclose herewith. It may be that they would not have sent it had I not spoken first, and given them, in doing so, a certain assurance of our disposition to deal frankly and fairly with the matter. In such case the grievance would have been alluded to first, probably, at some moment when the grievances of our people here were under discussion. But it may be that they would have sent their letter irrespective of my remarks. The fact that I have spoken first is seen to be fortunate, then, whichever alternative they had followed. Our readiness in the matter can only be construed by them in a way favorable to us.

Having already dealt so fully with the business, I shall do no more in, replying to the prince than to refer to the conversation at the Yamen and state that I have sent the correspondence to you for instructions.

I recognize the peculiar difficulty and delicacy of this matter, and trust that my course will seem to you discreet.

I have, &c.,

Newspaper extract.

Upon the 3d of the present month the O. and O. Steamship Company’s steamship Oceanic arrived from Hong-Kong and Yokohama after a passage of 25 days. She brings as passengers 846 Chinese, among whom is an officer, interpreter, and six men who are under the orders of the government of China, proceeding in charge of the Chinese exhibit to the Centennial. The nature or amount of this exhibit could not be accurately learned. There was about 200 tons on board the Oceanic, and 300 tons on a ship which has not yet arrived. The Oceanic brings as cargo 1,557 packages of tea, 721 packages of silk, and 25,512 packages of miscellaneous cargo for San Francisco. In addition, she brings for eastern markets 3,095 packages of tea, 721 packages of silk, and 99 packages of miscellaneous cargo.

When the passengers were about to debark the Irish and hoodlums, to the number of several hundred, assembled, blocking up the wharf and streets adjacent, and on the appearance of the new-comers assaulted them with mud and stones, and the wounds and bruises received by them were innumerable. They evidently think that we Chinese are immigrating in excessive numbers.