晚清駐外公使的保舉與選任

Recommendation, Selection, and Appointment of Ministers Plenipotentiary in the Late Qing Dynasty

本文通過清代相關檔案流程，對晚清駐外公使選任的細節進行考證與論述，揭示晚清駐外公使的選任有其機制與程序。第一步先由官員保舉使才，大員們多依派系來源與考量洋務能力來保舉使才，為公使選任提供了可供採擇的合理範圍。而後再經軍機處與總理衙門的肯定，確認建議人選，其間涉及權力角逐、人際關係、經濟利益等複雜因素的影響。最後由皇帝擇定。皇帝多依建議任命公使，有時亦會主動表達其偏好。

There was a strict procedure to follow for minister plenipotentiary selection in the late Qing Dynasty. First, high-ranking officials recommended persons with diplomatic talent, some of whom the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen 總理衙門 would put into a list of minister candidates. When a minister left office, the Zongli Yamen would present the list of candidates to the emperor. With further recommendation and advice from the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen, the emperor would select the most appropriate one for the new minister post. However, only with the acknowledgement of the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen could the recommendation of the high rank officials be effective. Sometimes, the emperor also showed his initiative. Persons on the list were evaluated according to their membership in political factions and their ability to deal with foreign affairs. The final appointment was influenced by a variety of complicated factors, involving power struggle, interpersonal relations, and economic interests. By examining documents concerning minister selection, this article explores and reveals the details of this procedure in the late Qing Dynasty.