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at different times, and find the average to be about three knots to the northeast; but on two occasions we found a southwesterly current of twenty miles in twenty-four hours, but always more or less influenced by the prevailing winds and their direction.

From Osima to Cape Idsu we have, at times, with strong northwest winds, had a two-knot current to the east-southeast, and with strong southeast winds have had a westerly one of ten miles during twelve hours steaming.

This irregularity in the currents makes it very dangerous in a dark night or during thick weather, especially while running between the red field rocks and the Portsmouth breakers, (the latter I think are doubtful, however,) as in one instance we found the steamer no more than three miles from the red fields, which, by the course steered, we ought to have been from twelve to fourteen miles distant. On another occasion we were set within one mile of the place where the Portsmouth breakers are laid down on the charts, and although the sea was very high at the time, no breakers could be seen from the mast-head, and if they do exist at all, it is my opinion they must be looked for more to the westward.

As you are already in possession of the report of the late typhoon in which you were present, I do not think it necessary to recapitulate.

As I have above mentioned, the lowest rate to which the barometer fell, previous to the last gale, it will fully bear me out in my opinion that we were in the most severe one recorded here at least for many years, the barometer falling 28001, although the course of the winds were nearly similar.

I have the honor to remain, sir, yours, very respectfully,

Hon. ANSON BURLINGAME, U. S. A.,

ROBERT SMITH, Shanghai Pilot.

Minister Plenipotentiary, &c.

No. 173.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, October 8, 1866.

SIR: Mr. Williams's despatch No. 35, of the 12th of June last, has been received.

It is not deemed advisable that the discussion with the Chinese authorities of the affair of the boat for which a United States flag was furnished by a Mr. White should be continued. This government should not in any way countenance the improper or unlawful use of that flag. If we connive at its abuse by Chinese for covering their property in their own country, and thereby evading obligations, we must expect to be regarded as derogating from our duty as a just and friendly power.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

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SIR: Your despatch of August 8, No. 37, has been received.

The information it gives of the execution of two Roman Catholic bishops and nine priests, together with a large number of Christians, in March last, in the Corean peninsula, is, indeed, painful and singularly exciting.

The proceedings of the French admiral, as indicated in your communication, will be regarded with great interest throughout christendom.

I shall expect that you will keep me well advised concerning the same.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

S. WELLS WILLIAMS, Esq., &c., &c., §x.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

No. 38.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Williams.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, November 20, 1866.

SIR: On the 19th of July last I had the honor to receive your despatch of the 12th of April, No. 30. In that paper you gave me, by way of information for general uses, some particulars relating to the desecration of the American cemetery at Tangchau, together with a copy of correspondence on the subject which had then taken place between yourself and Mr. E. T. Sandford, the consul of the United States at Chifu.

In that paper you neither asked for instructions upon the subject, nor suggested any remedy for the proceeding complained of.

In my number 33, under the date of the 30th of July last, I asked you "What is the custom for guarding foreign cemeteries in China? Whether the Chinese government charges itself with the duty, or whether it is assumed by foreign residents, or their consuls? It is not without surprise that I now receive your despatch of the 10th of August, No. 28. From this last paper I learn that Mr. Sandford, consul as aforesaid, without having any instructions from yourself or from this department, went, on the 10th of July last, with the late Captain Townsend, and a band of one hundred armed men, in the United States war vessel Wachusett, to Tangchau, to investigate the trouble existing there; that a long discussion on the subject of the desecration of the cemetery ensued between the consul and Captain Townsend on the one part, and the Chinese prefect of the district on the other; that in this conversation the consul and the captain demanded that the prefect should arrest the members of the Kung Kue, together with two others; that the persons so arrested should be brought and tried before the consul and the captain; that they should pay an indemnity of 200 taels; and that the local authorities, after complying with these terms, should further give security that there should thereafter be peace. Your despatch then proceeds to inform me that the Chinese prefect made delays and evasions of these demands, and that, finally, the consul and the captain retired from the place, and afterwards made a report of their proceedings to yourself. Your despatch is accompanied by a correspondence which was thereafter carried on between Prince Kung and yourself in regard to these affairs. From this correspondence I learn that, besides the desecration of the cemetery, another question entered into the discussion which took place at Tangchau, viz: a demand by the consul and the captain that the prefect should arrest those of the gentry who were preventing him and others from renting houses, and bring such persons to be tried and punished before Captain Townsend.

It distinctly appears in the correspondence that it was instituted on the part of Prince Kung, in the form of a complaint made to yourself, instead of having been instituted by you in preferring complaints against the prefect to Prince Kung. In your reply to Prince Kung you dwell, not improperly, upon the grievances suffered by citizens of the United States at Tangchau, while at the same time you make those grievances a ground of excuse for the proceedings which were adopted by the cousul (Sandford) and the captain of the Wachu

sett."

I feel very sensibly the embarrassment of giving instructions at this distance which will be applicable to the prevention or settlement of unforeseen local disputes to arise in China. Nevertheless, there are some principles which may be safely adopted. One of these is, that consuls ought in all practical cases to refer every question tending to bring on a conflict to the legation, and to await instructions therefrom before resorting to the expedient of threats or demonstra tions by force.

Second. That every grievance or wrong committed or permitted by the Chinese

local authorities which is sufficiently grave to become the subject of threats or demonstrations of force, is sufficiently serious to be made the subject of an earnest representation to the Chinese government.

Third. That no such threats or demonstrations ought to be made without definitive instructions, proceeding either from the legation in China or from this department.

Fourth. That this government should be kept punctually advised by the legation of all proceedings to which the minister in China lends his sanction.

I do not think it expedient to hazard the impairing of the dignity and authority of the United States in China, by expressing a formal and official disapprobation of the proceedings which took place at Tangchau, but, with the authority of the President, I give you the following explicit instructions in regard to this and kindred matters.

First. That you will employ, or direct the consul to employ, on reasonable terms, some reliable person to watch the cemetry at Tangchau for the period of one year. Such person should be, if possible, not obnoxious to prejudices on the part of the Chinese; and he should report to you directly, or through the consul, any future desecrations of the cemetery which may occur.

Second. That in regard to the desecrations which have heretofore been committed, you apply directly, earnestly, and urgently to Prince Kung for such indemnities as will be sufficient to repair the injuries which have been committed, and that he cause the individuals who committed the offences to be brought to speedy punishment; and also that the Chinese government will indemnify us for the expense incurred in watching the cemetery.

Third. That you ascertain all the facts involved in the charge that Chinese subjects prevented citizens of the United States from renting houses. That if, in your judgment, the facts warrant it, you make a proper representation of the grievances to Prince Kung, and ask for immediate and effective redress and indemnity, provided that the demand can be sustained under a proper construction of the treaty between the United States and China, but not otherwise. Fourth. That you report to this department such proceedings as you shall take in the premises.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

S. WELLS WILLIAMS, Esq., &c., &c., &c.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

SPAIN.

No. 12.]

Mr. Seward to Mr. Hale.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, December 11, 1865. SIR: I am directed by the President to express emphatically his regret at the failure which has thus far attended the efforts that have been made to induce the belligerent parties in Chili to desist from hostilities and to inaugurate measures of pacification. You are expected, however, to use your good offices in this direction whenever, in your opinion, there shall be any reasonable ground whereon to build a hope of success; and I have only one suggestion to offer for the guidance of your own discretion, which is, that in tendering such good offices it is eminently proper and wise to treat the powers who are actually at war with equal consideration and respect.

I have now, in the spirit of the remarks already made, to instruct you to seek an interview with Mr. Bermudez de Castro, and to say to him that the President of the United States has abated nothing of his heretofore often-expressed desire for the establishment of peace between Spain and Chili, and that it seems to him that either nation might at this juncture, and consistently with its honor, offer or accept negotiations with a view to peace.

By the President's direction I have instructed Mr. Nelson to address the Chilian government in the same sense and in the same spirit which are used in this despatch.

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No. 15.]

Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Madrid, January 9, 1866.

SIR: An insurrection of a portion of the army of Spain occurred the early part of last week, as you will probably have seen by the newspapers before this reaches you. The movement, it is reported, is under the lead of General Prim, a lieutenant general of the regular army. There are various rumors afloat, and it is impossible at this time, in the absence of reliable news, to give you any definite particulars of the movements that have been made and are now taking place, further than to state generally, that Madrid remains perfectly quiet, martial law has been proclaimed here; the insurgents appear to be retreating, and the gov ernment forces pursuing. All sorts of rumors and speculations are current in this community. The best judgement I can form, from all I can see and hear, is that the government will be able speedily to triumph over the insurgents. If anything of interest in this regard should occur hereafter, to give a different aspect to affairs here, I will seize the earliest opportunity to advise you thereof. With much respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

JOHN P. HALE.

No. 16.]

Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Madrid, January 18, 1866.

SIR Although the rebellion or insurrection has not as yet been entirely suppressed by the Spanish government, yet everything that I can see, hear, or learn, from any source, confirms me in the opinion which I ventured to express in my despatch to you, No. 15, of January 9. Madrid has been perfectly quiet and tranquil from the beginning, and so continues to the present moment. The two houses of the national Cortes continued their daily sessions here regularly, and there is nothing which meets the eye to indicate the slightest disturbance of the public tranquillity. I have had several communications from Americans visiting in other parts of Europe, inquiring if it were perfectly safe to visit Spain at the present time, and I have uniformly answered that it was.

With much respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

JOHN P. HALE.

No. 18.]

Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Madrid, January 30, 1866.

SIR: The rebellion or insurrection of which you have undoubtedly been advised, and concerning which I have already addressed to you two communications, I think may now be considered as entirely suppressed. General Prim, the reported leader, has made his way into Portugal. The government forces sent in pursuit of the rebels have returned, and there at present does not exist in Spain any organized armed opposition to the government, though the proclamation placing Madrid under martial law has not yet been revoked, but continues in full force.

With much respect, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

JOHN P. HALE.

Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward.

No. 21.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Madrid, January 30, 1866.

SIR: Owing to urgency of business demanding the attention of Mr. Bermudez de Castro, minister of state, on the breaking out of the recent rebellion, he did not give the usual audience to foreign ministers the week succeeding the receipt of your despatch No. 12, of the date of December 11, 1865. By the time that I had opportunity for an interview with him this government had received news of the actual collision of the naval forces of Chili with a portion of that of Spain, or, in other words, of the capture of the Coradonga by the Esmeralda. This seemed to place the situation of affairs between Spain and Chili in an entirely different aspect from what they were when your despatch was written. I repeated to him, however, the substance of the same, viz: that the President had abated nothing of his heretofore often expressed desire for the restoration of peace between Spain and Chili, and that whenever there occurred an opportunity for the good offices of the United States to be exerted beneficially to that end they would be so exerted cheerfully.

Mr. Bermudez de Castro desired me to express to you his thanks for the offer, and, further, for the many proofs they had had of the friendly intentions of the government of the United States.

With much respect, your obedient servant,

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SIR: Your despatch of the 30th of January, No. 21, has been received. It gives us information of an interview which you have had with Mr. Bermudez de Castro on the subject of the war now existing between Spain and Chili. The President is pleased with the appreciation which Mr. Bermudez de Castro

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