Page:American Diplomacy in the Orient - Foster (1903).djvu/268

 examined and passed upon in China. The greater portion of them had their origin in the loss of property occasioned by the British hostilities at and in the vicinity of Canton, and many of those allowed were of questionable validity in international law. After all the claims awarded had been paid, and a considerable amount which was rejected by the commission had been allowed by Congress, there still remained a large portion of the fund in the treasury of the United States. In 1885, Congress, responding to the sense of justice and fair dealing of the American people, authorized the President to return the balance in the treasury to China, and the sum of $453,400 was paid over to the Chinese minister at Washington, and by him received with "feelings of kindness and admiration" on behalf of his government.

Upon the conclusion of the claims convention, Mr. Reed proceeded to Hongkong, and there being informed by the Department of State of the acceptance of his resignation, which he had tendered on the conclusion of his labors at Tientsin, he placed the legation in charge of the secretary, Dr. Williams, and in December, 1858, returned to the United States. Soon after his arrival at his home in Philadelphia, he delivered a public address, reviewing his work in China, in the course of which he made some criticism of his foreign colleagues. It was an indiscretion which has been committed by other returning American ministers, but is none the less censurable. In most other respects his services in an important epoch in the relations of the United States with China have been deservedly commended.