meet the views of the executive department, which conducts the foreign intercourse.
It has also been seen that the government of China has in this matter shown a commendable spirit of friendliness and concession. It allowed the Burlingame treaty to be framed to suit the views of the United States. When it became apparent that a change in public sentiment in the latter country had taken place, it acquiesced in the request for a radical modification of that treaty which materially restricted the privileges of its own subjects. And a second time, when it was approached for another treaty change, it consented to limit still further the treaty rights of its people. The outrages which they have at times suffered by mob violence or at the hands of overzealous officials are not attributed to the ill-will of the government of the United States, neither has the harsh legislation, much as it is regretted, been allowed to change the friendly relations of the two nations. Each recognizes the difficulties of internal administration, and does not require of the other impossible conditions.
