Two Edicts from the Qianlong Emperor - Asia for Educators ...

Primary Source Document with Questions (DBQs) onTWO EDICTS FROM THE QIANLONG EMPEROR,ON THE OCCASION OF LORD MACARTNEY’S MISSION TO CHINA, SEPTEMBER 17934. Why do you think it is important for diplomats to understand the worldviewof the other party? Would it have been possible for the British in 1793 tochange their request in order to get more of what they wanted? If so, how? Ifnot, why not?Complete DocumentsFrom Changing China: Readings in the History of China from the Opium War to the Present, by J. Mason Gentzler (New York: PraegerPublishers, 1977) ©1977 Praeger Publishers. Reproduced with the permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.[EdictI]TwoEdictsfromtheQianlongEmperor,OnTheOccasionofLordMacartney’sMissionToChina,September1793You, O King, live beyond the confines of many seas, nevertheless, impelled by yourhumble desire to partake of the benefits of our civilization, you have dispatched a missionrespectfullybearingyourmemorial.YourEnvoyhascrossedtheseasandpaidhisrespectsatmy Court on the anniversary of my birthday. To show your devotion, you have also sentofferingsofyourcountry’sproduce.I have perused your memorial: the earnest terms in which it is couched reveal arespectfulhumilityonyourpart,whichishighlypraiseworthy.InconsiderationofthefactthatyourAmbassadorandhisdeputyhavecomealongwaywithyourmemorialandtribute,Ihaveshown them high favour and have allowed them to be introduced into my presence. Tomanifestmyindulgence,Ihaveentertainedthematabanquetandmadethemnumerousgifts.Ihave also caused presents to be forwarded to the Naval Commander and six hundred of hisofficersandmen,althoughtheydidnotcometoPeking,sothattheytoomayshareinmyallembracingkindness.AstoyourentreatytosendoneofyournationalstobeaccreditedtomyCelestialCourtandtobeincontrolofyourcountry’stradewithChina,thisrequestiscontrarytoallusageofmydynastyandcannotpossiblybeentertained.ItistruethatEuropeans,intheserviceofthedynasty,havebeenpermittedtoliveatPeking,buttheyarecompelledtoadoptChinesedress,theyarestrictlyconfinedtotheirownprecinctsandareneverpermittedtoreturnhome.Youare presumably familiar with our dynastic regulations. Your proposed Envoy to my Courtcould not be placed in a position similar to that of European officials in Peking who areforbiddentoleaveChina,norcouldhe,ontheotherhand,beallowedlibertyofmovementandthe privilege of corresponding with his own country; so that you would gain nothing by hisresidenceinourmidst.Moreover,OurCelestialdynastypossessesvastterritories,andtributemissionsfromthedependenciesareprovidedforbytheDepartmentforTributaryStates,whichministerstotheirwantsandexercisesstrictcontrolovertheirmovements.ItwouldbequiteimpossibletoleaveAsia for Educators l Columbia University l http://afe.easia.columbia.edu Page 3 of 7