The burden connected with Foreign Affairs has indeed always been multifarious in the Maritime provinces; but it is observed that, of late, Tartar-Generals, Viceroys, and Governors of the inland provinces have also inclined towards sending disputes between the people and missionaries within their jurisdiction to be settled by the Tsungli Yaméa. This appears to be neither more nor Less than an attempt to shift che burden of responsibility on the Yamen. The said Yamen, on the other hand, having its hands always fall, finds it difficult to attend to such affairs with the promptitude necessary on such occasions, and the sending of dispatches to and fro naturally consumes much time. We therefore command that all such matters affecting Foreign Affairs be harmoniously and equitably attended to, both by the said Tartar-Generals, Viceroys, and Governors, and the Tsunglt Yamen, in conjunction with each other, and the much-to-be-desired object of mutual aid and help between the Ministers at Peking and the high authorities in the provinces will be secured.
[Note:—The above edict is also issued in the name of the Emperor.—Zranslator.]
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.