F.o.
Decr. 28. 18 68.
J
2.
Sir
I gathered from the conversation
which I had the honor to have with you
on the 26th Inst. that the objects of the
Chinese Govt in sending a diplomatic
Mission to Europe were twofold: -
1. That by means
of such a mission,
the European Powers might be
disabused of an impression which it was supposed at Peking that they entertained, that the Chinese Govt had
entered upon
a retrograde policy contemplating not only refusal to enlarge their relations with Christian nations, but even restrictions within narrower limits of the intercourse which, under Treaty, those nations were now entitled to hold with the Chinese dominion,
Burlingame
the