To George F. Seward to Hamilton Fish, March 13, 1877

No. 65. Mr. Seward to Mr. Fish.

Sir,: Soon after my arrival in Peking last year, I asked Dr. Martin, of the Tung Wen Kwan, or Imperial College, for a statement of the scope of the institution and its present condition. He has lately handed to me the paper requested, and I now transmit it to you herewith. It is very brief, yet complete, and exhibits in an interesting way one phase of the results which are being worked out in this vast empire as a consequence of the presence of foreigners.

I have every reason to believe that the most influential men of this government are deeply interested in the college, and that they appreciate the efforts of Dr. Martin and his associates more perfectly than ever before. It is not too much to say that the statesmen of China now recognize the fact that this country is far behind those of the West in the arts and sciences. This has been apparent since the war of 1859–’60, more particularly in military matters and in the more directly useful sciences. They thought at first that it would be enough for them to use foreign appliances, either those purchased abroad or those constructed here after foreign models, but they are gradually learning that there can be no satisfactory development which is not founded upon education and the diffusion of knowledge. So we have their first poor beginnings, the educational mission to the United States, important enough in itself, yet too little for a great empire in the condition of this one, and this high school of which I am writing.

But they are beginnings, and there is that in the forces of civilization which will realize them and make them “the beginning of a time.”

I have, &c.,