tions declared were appointed in order to "give those high officials opportunity to acquire practice and experience in diplomatic duties," were on their return assigned to internal positions and disappeared from public view.
The mission had its origin in the proposed revision the next year of the treaties of Tientsin of 1858. It had for its object the solicitation from the treaty powers of the abandonment of the policy of force; of the treatment of China on an equality with other nations; of forbearance and patience in allowing it to work out the system of reform and of international intercourse in its own time and way; and it had in view the incorporation of these ideas in the revised treaties which were in contemplation. It was a wise step on the part of the Chinese to choose for the head of this mission a representative of the United States, whose government had disavowed all territorial aims in China, and whose selection could awaken no jealousy or suspicion among the rival European powers.
The only substantial result of the mission was the treaty which it negotiated with the government of the United States, and the terms of that treaty may in some degree indicate the purposes and expectations of Prince Kung and his associates of the Tsung-li Yamen in its creation. This treaty was drafted by Secretary Seward, who, it has been shown, entertained the most exalted ideas as to the future possibilities of the United States in the Pacific Ocean. It stipulated the territorial integrity of China by disavowing any right to interfere with its eminent domain or sovereign jurisdiction over
