Copy of reply to Li Hung Chang’s letter.
U.S.Flagship Ticonderoga
Special Service
Nagasaki, Japan
August 8,1880
To His Excellency
Li Hung Chang,
Viceroy of Chin-li,

Dear Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your friendly letter dated Tientsin, 23rd last, in which you kindly say that you have heard of me before and in which you also express the fact that the friendly relations between China and the United States have been much strengthened by the visit of our renowned Genl Grant, and in which also you kindly ask me to make you a friendly visit to Tientsin for the purpose of discussing matters o f interest both perhaps to ourselves and the countries to which we have the honor to belong.
In reply, while I am highly gratified at this exhibition of kindly feelings toward my country and myself, I can fully understand and appreciate that the visit of Genl Grant to China should have the effect of strengthening the friendship which ought to and does exist between China and the United States.
Referring to your kind invitation to visit Tientsin it gives me great pleasure to say that if my government will permit me, and I shall ask for such permission per telegraph, I will do myself the pleasure of soon calling upon Your Excellency at Tientsin.
If anything should prevent a personal visit I will have the honor to inform Mr. U. Tsing, His Imperial Chinese Majesty’s Consul at this port.
Hoping to have the pleasure soon of a personal interview with you.

I am, Sir,
Faithfully and respectfully
Your obedient servant,
(Sgn) R.W. Shufeldt
Commodore U.S. Navy
On Special Service