upon; after which it was my intention to resign and go home. The knowledge of this intention coming to the Chinese, Prince Kung gave a farewell dinner, at which great regret was expressed at my resolution to leave China, and urgent requests made that I would, like Sir Frederick Bruce, state China's difficulties and inform the treaty powers of their sincere desire to be friendly and progressive. This I cheerfully promised to do. During the conversation, Wensiang, a leading man of the empire, said, "Why will you not represent us officially?" I repulsed the suggestion playfully, and the conversation passed to other topics. Subsequently, I was informed that the Chinese were most serious, and a request was made through Mr. Brown, Chinese secretary of the British legation, that I should delay my departure for a few days, until a proposition could be submitted to me. I had no further conversation with them until the proposition was made in form, requesting me to act for them as ambassador to all the treaty powers. I had, in the interim, thought anxiously upon the subject, and after consultation with my friends, determined, in the interests of our country and civilization, to accept. The moment the position was formally tendered, I informed my colleagues of all the facts, and am happy to say that they approved of the action of the Chinese and did all they could to forward the interests of the mission.

J. McLeavy Brown, esq, Chinese secretary of the British legation, was persuaded in the common interest to act as first secretary to the mission, and Mr. Dechamps, a French gentleman who had accompanied Ping on a visit to Europe, was selected as second secretary. Two Chinese gentlemen of the highest rank were selected from the foreign office to conduct the Chinese correspondence and as "learners." My suite will number about thirty persons. shall leave for the United States by the February steamer for California.

I limit myself in this note to the above brief history of the mission, reserving my reasons for accepting it to a personal interview at Washington.

I

I

may be permitted to add, that when the oldest nation in the world, containing one-third of the human race, seeks, for the first time, to come into relations with the west, and requests the youngest nation through its representative to act as the medium of such change, the mission is one not to be solicited or rejected.

Dr. S. Wells Williams, for the sixth time, has been left in charge of the United States legation in China, and is, in every respect, competent to conduct its affairs.

Permit me to request the government, most earnestly, not to name my successor until I can give it information which may be useful in making a selection. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

Secretary of State.

ANSON BURLINGAME.

VOLUNTEER OFFICERS.

LETTER

FROM

THE SECRETARY OF WAR,

IN ANSWER TO

Resolution of April 9, 1867, transmitting a list of the volunteer officers in the military service of the government at the time the resolution was received, and a like list of those at present retained in the service.

JANUARY 16, 1868.-Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, January 15, 1868.

SIR: In compliance with the Senate's resolution of April 9, 1867, I have the honor to send herewith a list of the names of volunteer officers in the military service of the government at the date of its preparation, with their rank and the particular duties to which they were assigned. Since that date, at various times, all these officers have been mustered out of the service, with the exception of the following named:

Major General Oliver O. Howard, United States volunteers; Brigadier and Brevet Major General R. K. Scott, United States volunteers; Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General F. D. Sewall, Veteran Reserve Corps; Colonel and Brevet Brigadier General Orlando Brown, twenty-fourth United States colored troops; Lieutenant Colonel Frederick S. Parker, Veteran Reserve Corps; Major William H. Wiegel, assistant adjutant general; Major M. R Delaney, 104th United States colored troops; Captain E. B. Whitman, assistant quartermaster; Captain Samuel R. Hamill, assistant quartermaster; Captain John C. Grierson, assistant quartermaster; Captain H. A. Royce, assistant quartermaster; Captain Charles W. Folsom, assistant quartermaster; Captain Edgar C. Beman, commissary of subsistence; Captain George W. Balloch, commissary of subsistence; Captain James H. Remington, Veteran Reserve Corps; Captain George E. Judd, Veteran Reserve Corps; Captain Richard Dillon, Veteran Reserve Corps; Captain William L. Van Derlip, Veteran Reserve Corps; First Lieutenaut Andrew Coats, Veteran Reserve Corps; Second Lieutenant Austin W. Fuller, Veteran Reserve Corps; Second Lieutenant A. W. McKellip, Veteran Reserve Corps; Second Lieutenant John M. Foote, Veteran Reserve Corps; Second Lieutenant Samuel

Walker, Veteran Reserve Corps; Second Lieutenant Charles W. Dodge, Veteran Reserve Corps; Additional Paymasters D. H. McPhail, David Taylor, Dwight Bannister, W. H. Scott, Frank Bridgman, Joshua H. Watts, Josiah A. Brodhead, Albert D. Robinson, Edwin L. Moore, Calvin Holmes, Edwin Beecher, George W. Dyer, Harlan P. Wolcott, Jesse Bowen, Wellington Vrooman, George Truesdell, Owen T. Turney, Joseph W. Drew, Thomas H. Gardner, Nathaniel A. Tucker, and David Gribbin.

These officers were retained on duty because their services were required, and for the same reason those now in the service are continued. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. B. F. WADE,

President of the Senate.

EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

Authority by which retained.

Remarks.

No.

Names.

Rank.

Duties.

List of officers of volunteers now in the service of the United States-Continued.

Headquarters of the army

Ordered to Washington, D. C., for muster out.
Post quartermaster, Mobile, Ala..

In charge 8th division, Quartermaster General's office.
In Quartermaster General's office

Chief quartermaster military district of Fort Monroe..

29 Thos, G. Whytal.

do.