徐继畬+and+Washington

Jessica's Note: Xu's praises of Washington was inscribed in Chinese on a memorial tablet in Washington Monument.

According to "A Visit to the Tsungli Yamen", Burlingame reported the matter to Secretary of State Seward, and the latter decided to take official notice of the honor paid to Washington. Accordingly, Seward had prepared a copy of Stuart's portrait of Washington as a gift to Xu (J's note: The National Gallery still has a copy of Washington's portrait by the same artist, Gilbert Stuart). The painting was sent to Burlingame with instructions to make a formal presentation. On October 21, 1867, Mr. Burlingame made an official call upon the Tsungli Yamen for the purpose of presenting the portrait to Xu.

(Chinese inscription translated :) Source [] Page 20 China, " Su-Ki-Yu, by imperial appointment, Lieut. Governor of the Province of Fuh Kun, in his universal Geography says : It is evident that Washington was a remarkable man. In devising plans, he was more decided than Chin-Shing or Wu- Kwang, in winning a country, he was braver than Tsau-Tsau or Lin-Pi. VVielding his four footed falchion, he extended the frontiers thousands of miles, and then refused to usurp the regal dignity, or transmit to his posterity, but first established rules for an elective administration. Where in the world can be found such a public spirit ? Truly, the sentiments of the three dynasties have all at once unexpectedly appeared in our day. In ruling the state, he promoted and fostered good customs, and did not depend on military merit. In this he differed from all other nations. I have seen his portrait, his air and form are grand and imposing in a remarkable degree. Ah,who would not call him a hero ? The United States of America regard it promotive of national virtue generally and extensively neither to establish titles of nobility and royalty nor to conform to the age, as respects customs and public influence, but instead deliver over their own public deliberations and inventions so that the like of such a nation one so remarkable does not exist in ancient or modern times. Among the people of the Great West can any man, in ancient or modern times, fail to pronounce Washington Peerless? ^" This Stone is Presented by a Company of Christians and engraved at Ningpu in the Province of Che Heang, China, this Third Year of the Reign of the Emperor Heen Fung, Sixth Mouth and Seventh Day " (July 12th, 1853.)