No. 25.
Mr. Low to Mr.
Fish
No. 407.]
Legation of the United States, Peking,
January 15, 1871. (Received March
28.)
Sir: Referring to my dispatches Nos. 29, 31 and 34,
in regard to the removal of the American missionaries from Tungchow, in
consequence of apprehended danger, I have now the honor to inclose an
extract from the report of Commander Kimberly, of the United States ship
Benicia, which vessel was dispatched by Admiral Rodgers, in response to my
suggestion, to convey the missionaries back to their homes.
You will also find inclosed translation of a note from the prefect at
Tungchow to Commander Kimberly, in which assurance is given that the local
authorities are able to and will protect the missionaries fully in the
enjoyment of life and property, and in the peaceable pursuit of their
calling.
The full report and the papers connected therewith, which the admiral sent
me, are quite voluminous. Many of the papers do not seem important enough to
send, nor is it possible to have copies of all made without employing
additional clerical force. If, however, any further information should be
wanted, copies of all the papers can, I presume, be obtained at the Navy
Department.
In this connection I desire to say that I have had no information from the
missionaries, except a short note from one of them saying that they had all
reached Tungchow. Without expressing any opinion as to the real peril they
were in, or whether there was or was not cause for the step they took, I am
of the opinion that their removal and the manner of their return will, on
the whole, result in good.
My thanks are due to Admiral Rodgers for the prompt assistance he rendered in
bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.
I have, &c.,
[Page 88]
Extract of a report made
by Commander Kimberly, of the United States steamer Benicia, to
Admiral Rogers, describing his trip from Chefoo to Tang chow, with
the American missionaries on board.
Off Chefoo, October 22, 1870.
* * * * * * *
On the 20th instant, the translation having been finished, I received on
board the American missionaries, their teachers and servants, also their
children, amounting to a total of twenty-four persons, together with Mr.
Solbe and servant, whose names are appended to a list appended to this
letter, marked A, and at 10 a. m. got under way, and stood out of the
harbor bound for Tungchow-foo, and anchored off that city at 2.15 p. m.
the same day, and immediately sent an officer on shore to communicate
with the chipfu (prefect) and to request an audience. The officer so
sent returned, and informed me that I would be received at any time. I
went on shore immediately, accompanied by several officers of the ship,
and Mr. Solbe, the interpreter, and held the audience, being received in
the usual way.
Your instructions to me (translated) were read by the interpreter in my
presence, to the chipfu, (prefect,) who, in reply, said: “That there was
no necessity for the missionaries ever leaving Tungchow-foo; that he had
received orders from the governor-general of the province to receive and
protect them; and, furthermore, that he was able to protect them in
every way, and that he was willing, and would protect them.” He
requested that he might be allowed to retain the instructions read to
him, which request I granted. I asked him to give me a letter stating
that he was willing to and would and could protect the missionaries,
which letter he sent off to the ship the next day. * * * * * * *
After the audience with the chipfu (prefect) it was so late that the
missionaries were not landed until Friday, the 21st instant, when, as I
had requested at the interview with the chipfu, a messenger was sent on
board of this vessel to invite them (the missionaries) on shore to
return to their homes, which had been carefully cared for and protected
by the authority of Tungchow-foo since the missionaries had fled. Having
concluded the business successfully, and having safely landed the
missionaries and their baggage, I got under way at 2.30 p. m. the same
day, and arrived at this anchorage off Chefoo at 8.45 p. m.
The missionaries expresed themselves perfectly satisfied with everything
that had been done in regard to returning them to their homes, and
wished me to visit the shore and walk about the city with the officers
of the ship in full uniform, which I declined to do, as, after the
promises made by the Chinese officials, I considered it unnecessary, and
the Chinese being perfectly willing, and pleased, as far as I could
judge, that they had returned. From my interview, I came to the
conclusion that there never existed any real danger at Tungchow-foo, but
the missionaries were frightened by the threats of some Chinese not in
authority. Mischievous persons are found in every community, and
Tungchow-foo is not free from this infliction.
The massacre of Tien-tsin capped the climax, and the missionaries left in
consequence. The missionaries, in conversation with me on the passage up
to Tungchow-foo, complained that their grave-yard had been desecrated,
in having some of the tombstones defaced. After the important business
of the audience had been disposed of I took the oportunity of stating
this complaint to the prefect, who earnestly replied that he would take
all means in future to protect them, and to punish any person for any
acts of the kind complained of. * * * * * *
Memorandum note from the Prefect Heng, of Tung chow,
to Commander Kimberly, of the United States steamer Benicia,
stationed at Chefoo.
In the interview held on the 20th instant, between Captain Kimberly and
the prefect, Captain Kimberly stated that the foreign missionaries who,
apprehensive of violence from the rumors which were circulating, and to
which they had given ear, had removed from Tungchow, where now, their
fears being dissipated, desirous of returning to and, as of old, taking
up their abode in that city. In view of this, Captain Kimberly enjoined
upon the resident officials their duty of protection according to treaty
stipulations. In regard to this interview, the prefect has to remark
that it is the duty of China’s officials to afford full protection to
the missionaries of all countries who may be quietly pursuing their
calling in China, and not to allow them to meet with molestation or
interference.
His humble brother Heng Kioang salutes Captain Kimberly.
