Two Edicts from the Qianlong Emperor - Asia for Educators ...
Two Edicts from the Qianlong Emperor - Asia for Educators ...
Two Edicts from the Qianlong Emperor - Asia for Educators ...
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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 <strong>for</strong> diplomats to understand <strong>the</strong> worldviewof <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r party? Would it have been possible <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> British in 1793 tochange <strong>the</strong>ir request in order to get more of what <strong>the</strong>y wanted? If so, how? Ifnot, why not?Complete DocumentsFrom Changing China: Readings in <strong>the</strong> History of China <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> Opium War to <strong>the</strong> Present, by J. Mason Gentzler (New York: PraegerPublishers, 1977) ©1977 Praeger Publishers. Reproduced with <strong>the</strong> permission of <strong>the</strong> publisher. All rights reserved.[EdictI]<strong>Two</strong><strong>Edicts</strong><strong>from</strong><strong>the</strong><strong>Qianlong</strong><strong>Emperor</strong>,OnTheOccasionofLordMacartney’sMissionToChina,September1793You, O King, live beyond <strong>the</strong> confines of many seas, never<strong>the</strong>less, impelled by yourhumble desire to partake of <strong>the</strong> benefits of our civilization, you have dispatched a missionrespectfullybearingyourmemorial.YourEnvoyhascrossed<strong>the</strong>seasandpaidhisrespectsatmy Court on <strong>the</strong> anniversary of my birthday. To show your devotion, you have also sentofferingsofyourcountry’sproduce.I have perused your memorial: <strong>the</strong> earnest terms in which it is couched reveal arespectfulhumilityonyourpart,whichishighlypraiseworthy.Inconsiderationof<strong>the</strong>factthatyourAmbassadorandhisdeputyhavecomealongwaywithyourmemorialandtribute,Ihaveshown <strong>the</strong>m high favour and have allowed <strong>the</strong>m to be introduced into my presence. Tomanifestmyindulgence,Ihaveentertained<strong>the</strong>matabanquetandmade<strong>the</strong>mnumerousgifts.Ihave also caused presents to be <strong>for</strong>warded to <strong>the</strong> Naval Commander and six hundred of hisofficersandmen,although<strong>the</strong>ydidnotcometoPeking,sothat<strong>the</strong>ytoomayshareinmyallembracingkindness.AstoyourentreatytosendoneofyournationalstobeaccreditedtomyCelestialCourtandtobeincontrolofyourcountry’stradewithChina,thisrequestiscontrarytoallusageofmydynastyandcannotpossiblybeentertained.ItistruethatEuropeans,in<strong>the</strong>serviceof<strong>the</strong>dynasty,havebeenpermittedtoliveatPeking,but<strong>the</strong>yarecompelledtoadoptChinesedress,<strong>the</strong>yarestrictlyconfinedto<strong>the</strong>irownprecinctsandareneverpermittedtoreturnhome.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 are<strong>for</strong>biddentoleaveChina,norcouldhe,on<strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>rhand,beallowedlibertyofmovementand<strong>the</strong> privilege of corresponding with his own country; so that you would gain nothing by hisresidenceinourmidst.Moreover,OurCelestialdynastypossessesvastterritories,andtributemissions<strong>from</strong><strong>the</strong>dependenciesareprovided<strong>for</strong>by<strong>the</strong>Department<strong>for</strong>TributaryStates,whichministersto<strong>the</strong>irwantsandexercisesstrictcontrolover<strong>the</strong>irmovements.Itwouldbequiteimpossibletoleave<strong>Asia</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Educators</strong> l Columbia University l http://afe.easia.columbia.edu Page 3 of 7