Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, with the Annual Message of the President, December 6, 1875, Volume I

No. 138.
Mr. Avery to Mr. Fish.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, December 22, 1874. (Received February 24, 1875.)

No. 17.]

Sir: It is satisfactory to be able to report to you the general quietness and freedom from vexatious complications of affairs in China, at least so far as the leading treaty powers are concerned. Two or three instances of assault upon missionaries at Hoo-chow, Soo-chow, and near Kiu-kiang, have been reported in the Shanghai newspapers; but they were not marked by great violence, and, except the Kiu-kiang affair, of which no reliable information has reached me, appear to have been promptly and satisfactorily settled by the voluntary action of the local authorities, who in many cases begin to show more respect for the rights of foreigners under the treaties, and a juster sense of their own duties.

The only matter of special interest at Peking, of which you are not fully advised in other despatches by this mail, is the sickness of the Emperor and the provisional delegation of his functions to a regency. On or about the 9th inst., coincident with the ominous transit of Venus across the sun’s disc, His Imperial Majesty—who is at no time robustly vigorous, being small of stature and delicate looking—was taken ill with the small-pox, which is generally very prevalent in Peking. This fact did not transpire until the publication in the Gazette of an edict deputing to certain high officials the religious rites usually observed by the Emperor himself at the season of the winter solstice. This act has been f lowed by a decree, dated the 18th inst, copy of which is inclosed, stating that the Emperor has concluded to relieve himself for a while of the cares of state, and has delegated to the empress dowagers the temporary direction of affairs.

This decree has been thought to indicate the serious illness of the Emperor, and to foreshadow a change in the government; but, so far as I can learn, his illness is not serious or threatening, and he is simply taking a prudent precaution. Should he recover soon, however, it is quite probable that he will not resume his functions before the opening of spring.

Prince Kung, who is generally regarded as most likely to succeed him, in the event of his death, although there is no certainty on this point, has been invisible at the foreign office since the sickness of his imperial nephew. There are various rumors and speculations on this head, but they do not contain enough of the element of truth to be worth repeating.

The decree inclosed will doubtless strike you as an interesting illustration of the peculiarities of Chinese expression and of Chinese veneration for maternity.

I have, &c.,

BENJ. P. AVERY.

[Inclosure in No. 17.]

An imperial decree.

[From the Peking Gazette of December 18, 1874.—Translation.]

During the present month We having been attacked by the small-pox, (lit experienced the felicity of the heavenly flowers,) the Prince Imperial Tun and others came to Us with an earnest and united request that, in order to compose our mind, We should awhile throw off the cares of state. Reflecting upon the many weighty responsibilities dovolving upon Us, we have deemed it to be hardly possible to give way in the least degree to indolent leisure, but We are still too weak to undergo much fatigue and anxiety, and, therefore, it is only proper to give ear to this request.

However, fearing lest, amid the vast variety of affairs which would come up for decision, there would be room for much error and remissness, We have Ourselves repeatedly solicited both their Imperial Majesties the Empress Dowagers to take into consideration the necessity of now attending to our health, and requested that they will condescend to look over all the reports and memorials which may come up from any officers in the capital and provinces, and decide or revise them as they deem best.

I reverently receive this proof of their kind regard in doing what involves much trouble, and now consenting to take upon themselves the cares of power and the direction of affairs. Our whole soul is deeply grateful at this fortunate arrangement.

Let this edict be everywhere made known in the empire. Respect this.