Wan-siang, to A. Burlingame, November 2, 1863

Note from the Foreign Office to Mr. Burlingame.

At 8 o’clock yesterday morning we received the translation in Chinese sent us by Mr. Williams. The matter of which it treats and that which we discussed the day before so fully with your excellency, viz., the manner of sending back the money received by the sale of the flotilla, has all been arranged; and we have likewise reported the whole to Prince Kung, who has adopted the plan.

Seeing that Admiral Osborn has had so great trouble in bringing these ships to China, and will have more in taking them back to England so long a distance, we have donated him the sum of ten thousand taels, which is to be deducted from the money received from their sale, in order to exhibit the high regard in which he is held by the Chinese government. We shall be obliged if you will, also, convey him our thanks.

The reply which we were to send to the British minister has already been handed in to him, and we will take a leisure day to prepare a copy of it to enclose for your information, and also to tender to you our thanks in person. We send this note now, with the expression of our best wishes for your daily happiness.

Cards of—