Mr. Seward to Mr. Burlingame
Sir: Your despatch of October 25 (No. 26) has been received.
The proceedings you have taken, and the views you have expressed in regard to the objection of Prince Kung to the newly appointed consuls at Hankow, Kiukiang, Neuchwang, and Tientsin, on the ground that they are allowed to trade, are approved. The remark of our late minister, Mr. Reed, which Prince Kung quoted in support of his objection, was an incidental one, and had and could have reference only to the characters and circumstances of the consuls [Page 925] then, actually in place, of whom he was speaking. It is, indeed, obvious that it would be preferable, in many cases, to have consuls who should receive adequate salaries from the government, rather than to employ, in that capacity, persons who carry on trade. But the extended condition of modern commerce renders it impossible for this or any other government to adhere to such a system exclusively. Consequently, every maritime power employs merchants as consuls. It is often sanctioned by treaties, and is recognized by the law of nations. At the present moment the government of the United States has peculiar reasons for practicing the utmost possible economy in the conduct of its diplomatic and consular relations. The President is fully aware of this fact, and he cannot, therefore, adopt your suggestion of recommending to Congress to attach salaries to the office of consuls in the new treaty ports of China. You will insist upon the allowance of an exequatur, in the usual manner, to the persons holding the office in these ports, unless some personal objection shall be laid against them.
The government has no knowledge, nor any reason to believe, that either ships or arms of any kind have been furnished by Americans to the rebels in China, and it will do all that shall be in its power to prevent any transaction of that kind that may be brought to its notice. You will receive herewith a copy of an order of the President, which inhibits all shipments of arms and munitions of war from the ports of the United States to any foreign country whatever.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Anson Burlingame, Esq., &c., &c.