No. 171.
Mr. Avery
to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, July 18, 1875.
(Received September 10.)
No. 79.]Sir: Under date of May 1 I received from Mr. R. M.
Johnson, United States consul at Han-kow, a dispatch, with voluminous
inclosures, detailing the circumstances of an attack upon two American
citizens, Messrs. Strittmatter and Hykes, at Shui Chang, on the 3d of
November last, and of a previous riotous assault on the American Methodist
Episcopal Mission premises at the same place, and informing me of the
failure of the local authorities to furnish any redress, despite the
repeated and urgent efforts of our consular agent at the near port of
Kiu-kiang, and of Consul Johnson at Han-kow, to induce them to do their
duty; wherefore Mr. Johnson appealed the matter to me.
As the facts justified his appeal, I laid them at once before his highness
Prince Kung. They will be found fully stated in the inclosed copy of my
communication. While assuring Mr. Johnson that I should pursue the business
to a just settlement, believing that such violence could not be left to go
unredressed without danger of repeated and more serious trouble, I took
occasion to express my regret at the lack of discretion exhibited by the
missionaries, Strittmatter and Hykes, in their rather unceremonious effort
to press an immediate interview on the magistrate at Shui Chang, which
circumstance seems to have given the mob a pretext for attacking them.
Prince Kung replied to my communication briefly, informing me that he had
forwarded a copy of it to the southern superintendent of trade, and had
ordered the local authorities to examine and settle the case justly.
In my communication to Prince Kung I called his attention to the fact that
the troubles between our missionaries and the people were caused by the
falsehoods told about them; such as that they abduct and kill children, take
out their eyes for medicine, &c., and by popular ignorance of the rights
of foreigners under the treaties. I also suggested that were proclamations
issued disabusing the minds of the people and stating what are the
treaty-rights of foreigners, such a course would go far to prevent
difficulties in future. I even suggested the propriety of friendly
proclamations from the higher authorities. To all of this Prince Kung, as I
expected, made no reply; but I attach some importance to the fact that he
sent a copy of my dispatch, including these suggestions, to the southern
superintendent, thus leaving him at liberty to act upon them. It would
probably be impossible by mere suasion to induce the Chinese government to
proclaim that it wishes to remain at peace and friendship with foreigners,
for the ministers fear that such a proclamation would strengthen the
opposition of the anti-foreign party 5 yet such a step would almost
certainly have a good effect and save them much trouble.
I thought it proper to assure the prince that this legation would dissuade
its nationals from urging themselves on any community manifestly hostile and
violent; and I have written to some of our consuls, as the Department knows,
in the spirit of this assurance, and have reason to believe our missionary
citizens will be duly cautious in their movements.
Under date of May 12, Mr. Johnson advised me of another act of violence
against American missionaries, this time at Kin-Kiang, consisting
[Page 384]
of the destruction by mob of the
chapel and other buildings of the Methodist Episcopal Mission on the night
of May 1. On being informed of the facts, by Mr. Acting Consular-Agent
Cunningham, Mr. Johnson, on May 4, addressed the Taotai at Kiu-kiang,
relating the particulars, and asking for redress in the terms set forth. I
inclose a copy of this communication, which gives all the facts. Under date
of May 11, Mr. Cunningham informed Mr. Johnson that the demands made by the
missionaries for losses had been fully complied with by the authorities, and
that the chapel-building and furniture would be restored as before. I
inclose copy of the Taotai’s own statement, which shows that the difficulty
originated in the refusal of the native door-keeper of the chapel, in the
absence of the missionary, to open the door to a father whose son was
inside, thereby exciting the unreasonable suspicions of the people on a
point already referred to.
On the 9th of June I received from Prince Kung a communication covering a
statement of the Kiu-kiang affair from the acting governor of Kiangsi, the
province in which Kiu-kiang is situated. In this document the prince lays
the blame for the occurrence on the missionary in a manner so unjust that I
felt it a duty to correct his mistake, as per inclosure. In my dispatch I
took occasion to lay down the doctrine that mob violence is not justifiable
as a mode of redress for real or fancied wrongs at the hands of foreigners,
and that if our citizens misbehave, they are to-be proceeded against
legally, as provided in the treaty. Curiously enough, Prince Kung, in his
reply to this suggestion, appears to hail it as something quite new; but I
doubt not good will result from it, since the prince has “sent instructions
to all the provinces to issue proclamations informing the people that
hereafter, in case any missionary, or any of his subordinates, is guilty of
improper conduct, in addition to making: complaint to the local authorities,
and abstaining from all disturbances-themselves, they (the people) can make
complaint to the consul at the nearest port, and in case he fails to adjust
the case equitably, may appeal from him to the legation.” This is as near to
telling the people that they must not assail our citizens, and that there is
a peaceful remedy for any supposed wrong, as the central government can be
expected to go.
In the same communication, Prince Kung informs me of the satisfactory
settlement of the Kiu-kiang trouble. It is significant that he alludes to
the presence of missionaries “throughout all the interior,” without a word
or hint of objection. He also frankly admits that “the missionaries know and
do their duty,” and that no blame attached to them in the Kiu-kiang
affair.
In conclusion of this report, I inclose copy of my reply to the prince and of
my dispatch to Mr. Johnson.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No. 79.]
Mr. Avery to Prince
Kung.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, June 3,
1875.
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c., &c., &c.
Sir: It is my duty to lay before your imperial
highness the facts of two different acts of violence committed by
disorderly and foolish people upon the persons and property of American
citizens at Shui Chang, within the treaty limits of Kin-Kiang port,
province
[Page 385]
of Kiangsi, and to
ask that you will require the local authorities to settle them without
delay, in that spirit of justice and friendship which I know it is the
desire of your highness to manifest in all your dealings with my
country.
I am informed by the consul of the United States at Han-kow, within whose
jurisdiction Kiu-kiang and Shui Chang are included, that at midnight of
the 21st of May, 1873, the buildings which had been rented and furnished
at Shui Chang for missionary purposes, by Americans from Kiu-kiang, were
attacked by a mob, without any cause, except ignorance and hatred of
foreigners. By this mob, which the missionaries declare was instigated
and led on by certain men of literary degree, who ought to know better,
the chaplain was beaten, his effects stolen, the furniture of the place
smashed or carried away, and four large boxes of books scattered to the
winds. Mr. Henry M. Hall, on hearing of this outrage, went to Shui
Chang, from Kiu-kiang, to ask for justice from the district magistrate,
who received him properly, and promised that the guilty should be
punished, and the people warned against insulting or maltreating the
missionaries of my country. On his way from the magistrate’s Yamen, Mr.
Hall was set upon and beaten by a furious mob, although he was
accompanied by an escort of soldiers.
The mob even attacked a temple in which he took refuge, and if the
magistrate himself had not come to the rescue and arrested some of the
gentry who led the populace, Mr. Hall would have lost his life. From the
effects of this violence Mr. Hall’s health seriously impaired, he was
obliged to return to America, and the matter was therefore not then
prosecuted.
Again, on the 3d of November, 1874, two other American missionaries,
having previously secured the rental of a place in Shui Chang, proceeded
from Kiu-kiang, with passports from the United States consular agent at
the former place, for the purpose of fitting up a chapel, going to the
Yamen of the Che-hsien, who was not the same magistrate who was there
the year before, in order to ask from him a proclamation warning the
people against molesting them. The Che-hsien kept them waiting on the
premises about four hours, during which time a mob gathered, who abused
them with foul language, and in their violence pushed in the
lattice-work of the small room in which they were sitting. The
officials, for a long time, made no serious attempt to disperse the
crowd which pressed into the audience-room, where the Che-hsien at last
received his visitors. He declined to issue a proclamation until he had
been instructed by both the taoti and foutai. Meanwhile the crowd
outside had increased, and, pushing its way into the small waiting-room
where the Americans had left their native attendant, Chao-hung-Kwie,
this inoffensive man was beaten in a shameful manner. The Americans
requested the Che-hsien to drive out the mob, but he refused to do so,
until they came into the audience room, when he had them pushed back
into the street. He refused to see the passports of the’ Americans, and
declined to do anything for their protection, unless they consented to
depart at once under an escort, which they did. The Che-hsien promised
to go with them himself, but did not do so, except for a few steps, into
the street, when he turned back to his Yamen. The Americans were
gradually deserted by their escort, and the mob set upon them again,
once more beat their student-helper, Chao-hung-Kwie, robbed him of his
money and clothes, and followed the Americans outside the city, pelting
them with bricks, until they fell into a deep stream in the darkness,
for it was now night, when they were further pelted by the light of
lanterns, until they reached the opposite bank, and, after wandering
about in great distress for two hours in the darkness, found their boat,
in which, next day, they returned to Kiu-kiang. Their chair-coolies were
also driven away from the city, and Pi-hsien, an assistant whom they had
left at the Yamen, returned to Kiu-kiang, without his money and part of
his clothes. .
Immediately after these events the missionaries appealed to the United
States consular agent at Kiu-kiang for redress of their wrongs, asking
that he demand of the taotai of that place reimbursement for their
pecuniary losses as follows: For riot of 1873, in which they lost money
expended for chapel-rent, furniture, wages of men, books, ready money,
and traveling expenses, $200; and for riot of 1874, in which was taken
from the persons of their native assistants money and clothing to the
amount of $40, besides the traveling and, other expenses to which the
mission was subjected, and the personal loss of the two missionaries,
the sum of $125; besides just compensation for personal injuries. In
addition, they demanded that the building rented at Shui Chang as a
chapel be delivered into their hands for one year, properly furnished;
that the three Shen Ching who were instigators of the riot be punished,
as also the Che-hsien who refused to protect the missionaries in 1874,
and that proclamations be issued warning the people hereafter not to
molest them. Mr. Rose, the consular-agent at Kiu-kiang, having failed to
induce the taotai to make satisfactory settlement of the claim,
submitted the matter to his superior, the consul at Han-kow, who
instructed him, on the 21st of December, to demand an immediate
investigation by the taotai. Mr. Rose again urged the case on the
attention of the taotai, but receiving no satisfaction, the consul at
Han-kow himself addressed that functionary, February, 1875, informing
him that Kiu-kiang came under his jurisdiction; that he had person ally
examined
[Page 386]
the missionaries as
to the facts of the repeated violence at Shui Chang, and stating that he
would refer the matter to this legation unless the Taotai did his
duty.
The taotai, on March 6, replied to the consul denying that there was any
evidence to snhstantiate the statements made, declining to enter into
any further examination, and expressing himself satisfied with the
denials of the Che-hsien of Shui Chang, to whom he had referred the
matter, and who would, of course, try to screen himself and please the
violent people who had mobbed two American citizens and their native
helpers under his very roof. Yet, after denying that there was any
violence committed, the taotai admits that the people did rush together
in tumult, because they did not wish missionaries to come among them,
and says he wrote to Mr. Rose asking him to tell the missionaries not to
go to Shui Chang again.
I will frankly say to your imperial highness that I shall counsel my
countrymen who wish to preach and sell religious books, not to press
themselves where they know the people are hostile and violent, although
the treaty gives them the right to go and do these things; but I must
say the missionaries who went to Shui Chang are positive the people
would not molest them if they were not deceived and instigated by a few
men of literary degree who act out of malice. Even in that case, had the
magistrate done his duty fearlessly on the first sign of trouble, there
would have been no serious disturbance. The Taotai of Kiu-kiang in like
manner, by neglecting to enforce justice in this case, encouraged the
mob in his own city to attack the American missionary premises there, as
they did on the 1st of May when they demolished the doors and windows,
destroyed what furniture was not carried off, pillaged and tore down the
rooms of the two native assistants, threw down the walls of two
school-rooms, and totally destroyed the furniture of the same.
In this case, as he could not deny what was done so near at hand, the
Tao-tai at once agreed to have the chapel and buildings connected with
it restored and refurnished, to make good all other losses sustained by
the mission, to punish the ringleaders of the riot, and to issue a
proclamation.
Had he been as just and reasonable in the Shui Chang case, the last riot
would probably not have happened.
As he refused to deal justly in that matter, the consul has appealed the
case to me, and I have now had the honor to lay all the material facts
before your imperial highness.
I have no doubt that with your usual sense of right, and desire to
preserve friendly and pleasant relations between China and the United
States, you will comply with my request that the Shui Chang affair be
promptly settled by the proper authorities, and the very reasonable
demands made by our consul be complied with. The amount of money damages
asked for is very trifling, and no compensation seems to have been
insisted upon for personal injuries. The main thing is to repay actual
losses, to punish the ringleaders, to give the American missionaries a
years’ possession of the rented premises, and to issue a proclamation
warning the people not to molest them.
If these things are done, I have no doubt the people of Shui Chang will
be as peaceable and friendly hereafter as those of most other places in
China frequented by foreigners. The whole trouble rises from the
malicious falsehoods told about missionaries, whose only object is to do
good and not to force their doctrines on any who dislike them. Then
there is too much ignorance among the people about the rights of
foreigners under the treaty, and for this reason the proclamation to be
issued at Shui Chang should state those rights.
In this connection I beg leave to suggest to your imperial highness that
if the governors-general of all the provinces were instructed to issue
proclamations stating the general rights of foreigners under the
treaties, declaring that the imperial government wishes to remain at
peace and friendship with foreigners, and warning the people not to
molest them, we should have very few cases of violence reported, and any
difficulties occurring in spite of the precautions of the local
authorities would be more likely to be settled promptly on the spot.
Wishing to your imperial highness daily health and happiness, I renew,
&c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
79.—Translation.]
Prince Kung to Mr.
Avery.
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes
a communication in reply:
Upon the 5th of June I had the honor to receive a communication from your
excellency, stating that you had received information that citizens of
your country had suffered ill-treatment at the hands of the people of
Shui-chang, within the treaty-limits of Kiu-kiang, and that the local
official had not adjusted the case; and your excellency
[Page 387]
asks that orders be issued for a prompt
settlement. Your excellency further remarks that you shall counsel your
nationals not to go where the people are unwilling to receive them, in
order to avoid trouble, &c.
It appears to the prince that these cases between the Chinese and
missionaries are not all alike. If your excellency will, according to
your statement, notify the missionaries not to go to places where the
natives are unwilling to receive them, it will be an evidence of your
excellency’s consideration and sincere friendship for which I shall be
exceedingly grateful.
Regarding this case, I have already received a dispatch from the
superintendent of trade for the southern ports, covering a report from
the customs Tao-tai at Kin-Kiang, stating that the case was settled. On
receipt of your excellency’s communication, I forwarded a copy to the
superintendent of trade for the southern ports, and have ordered the
local authorities to make most careful investigation into the real facts
in the case, and I so report to your excellency.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 79.]
Mr. Johnson to the
Taotai.
United
States Consulate of Han-kow and Kiu-kiang,
Han-kow, May 4, 1875.
His Excellency the Taotai, Kin-kiang:
Sir: I have just received a communication from
Mr. H. M. Cunningham, acting consular agent at Kiu-kiang, under date of
May 3, to the following effect, viz:
“I beg to hand you herewith copy of a letter addressed to me by the Rev.
Mr. A. Strittmatter, secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Mission,
giving particulars’ regarding an attack made by a Chinese mob on the
mission chapel, situated within the city limits, on the night of
Saturday, the 1st instant, and requesting that certain measures be taken
to obtain indemnification from the authorities for the damages sustained
in this instance, and for the avoidance of similar disturbances in the
future. I beg to refer this matter to you for settlement.”
The statement made by the Rev. Mr. Strittmatter of the riot above
referred to by the consular agent, a copy of which he sent forward to
me, is as follows, viz: “The chapel was attacked by a mob about 5½ p.m.
on the day mentioned, (May 1,) the doors and windows demolished, the
furniture carried off, or totally destroyed, the rooms of the two native
assistants torn to pieces and pillaged, and the walls of the two
school-rooms connected with the chapel thrown down, and the furniture
entirely destroyed.
“Up to the present time the greater part of the flooring has been taken
up and carried off, no effective measures having been taken by the
authorities to put a stop to the plundering of the premises.
“The conclusion come to by the mission in a formal meeting this morning
was that the native officials be requested through the proper
authorities to have their chapel and buildings connected with it
repaired and put in the same condition as before the riot, and to make
good all the other losses sustained by the mission, and that they be
further requested to administer proper punishment to the ringleaders of
the riot, and to issue a proclamation, disabusing the mind of the people
of the false impressions that have been made in regard to the nature of
our work.”
I take advantage of this early opportunity to bring to your notice the
particulars of this high-handed outrage, and have to respectfully ask
that you will at once comply with the very moderate request contained in
Mr. Strittmatter’s letter to Mr. Cunningham, to the effect that you have
the chapel and buildings connected with it repaired and put in the same
condition as before the riot, and to make good all other losses
sustained by the mission, and further that you administer proper
punishment to the ringleaders of the riot, as well as issue a
proclamation disabusing the minds of the people of the false impressions
that have been made in regard to the nature of the mission work.”
The settlement of the case upon the above terms will be subject to the
approval of the United States minister at Peking, to whom I will submit
the particulars of the affair at once.
I cannot too strongly urge upon your excellency the necessity of dealing
promptly and severely with persons guilty of such lawless violence, if
for no other reason than to prevent complications of a serious nature
from arising.
The immediate arrest and severe punishment of the ringleaders of this
riot will have a salutary effect upon the mob element of Kiu-kiang, and
I sincerely trust you will act on my request and punish them to the
fullest extent of the law.
I have, &c.,
[Page 388]
[Inclosure 4 in No.
79.—Translation.]
The Taotai to Mr.
Johnson.
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 4th
May, in which you inform me that on the 1st May an attack had been made
on a chapel within the city by a mob, who destroyed the same, as also
furniture, &c., and that the flooring had been carried away, asking
me to investigate into the affair, to arrest the ringleaders for
punishment, to see that compensation was made for the loss as sustained,
and to issue a proclamation in order to prevent similar
disturbances.
In compliance with your request, I have myself inquired into this matter
and ordered a deputy officer, with the Che-hsien and a military officer,
to investigate the affair. From a thorough investigation made by myself,
it appears that the son of a mason by the name of Chang was detained in
the chapel premises. The local officer being informed of it, applied for
admittance, but was refused by the door-keeper; in consequence, the
people, being aroused, began to attack the premises. These facts I have
brought to the notice of the vice-consul of Kiu-kiang, as I expected he
would communicate with yourself. This is the cause of the whole affair,
and, as it appears, brought about by the conduct of the persons in
charge of the chapel, and therefore no compensation should be required,
as the treaty does not contain a clause to the effect that the local
officers are to be held responsible in such a case.
In your dispatch you requested me to arrest the ringleaders, and to see
that such compensation be made for the losses sustained. I have ordered
the Che-hsien at once to do so, to bring them up for punishment, in
order to prevent similar disturbances.
To-day the deputy informs me that the door-keeper had run away and that
no trace of him is to be found; that at the time of the disturbance the
foreign missionary was not at the premises; that therefore the people
made an attack, which certainly should not have been done.
As time must be lost until the guilty parties are found and brought to
justice; moreover, as the missionaries have no place for preaching,
which will keep up ill-feeling, and the Che-hsien will not be
responsible for the losses, I have ordered a deputy to arrange with the
same. They have agreed to order the carpenter who formerly built the
chapel to rebuild the same as before, and to pay to the missionaries the
sum of tael 775, to cover the other losses for furniture and clothing
lost, which sum the Che-hsien and his officers will see paid. This
officer has also arranged with the missionaries themselves, who seem to
be quite satisfied with this arrangement, while I have informed the
vice-consul of Kiu-kiang to this effect.
The actions of the deputy having been thus made known to me, by which all
parties received satisfaction, and peace and concord restored, I do not
wish to interfere with this arrangement, but that the offending parties
must be held liable for any losses.
I have also communicated with the military governor to issue a
proclamation, and have informed the vice-consul of Kiu-kiang of the
settlement of this affair, which I herewith bring to your notice.
I have to request your honor to tell the missionaries to see that the
door-keeper of their chapel will in future no more allow young children
to be taken to this chapel, and thus avoid further trouble.
I have, &c., &c.,
SUNG TAOTAI, (of Kiu-kiang.)
[Inclosure 5 in No.
79.—Translation.]
Prince Kung to Mr.
Avery.
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes
a communication.
I have received a dispatch from the acting governor of Kiangsi, covering
a statement from the Taotai of Kiu-kiang, of the following tenor: In the
city of Kiu-kiang an American missionary, named Hart, has a chapel. On
the night of the 1st May, about 9 o’clock, a rumor suddenly became
current that a child from the shop of a stonemason was locked up in this
chapel. A turbulent crowd gathered, and the Tao-tai, in all haste, sent
a deputy to investigate and suppress the disturbance, &c.
It appears that the missionary Hart opened a chapel for the purpose of
exhorting men to be virtuous. Why should he, without cause, shut up a
young child in the chapel and so rouse suspicions in the breasts of the
populace to the creating of disturbances? The local official proceeded
to the spot to suppress the tumult, his thought being to afford
protection; but the keepers of the chapel still kept it most closely
shut and would not allow him to examine, an exceedingly improper
act.
[Page 389]
At the present time a large proportion of the cases of disturbance
between missionaries and the people spring from the suspicions of the
latter. How much more in the present, which was an actual case of the
detention of a young child? In case people of other districts hear of it
as an actual occurrence will the suspicions of all the populace not be
allayed, but troubles hereafter will with difficulty be avoided.
I have sent orders, most stringent, to the acting governor of Kiangsi to
examine into and investigate the origin of this affair down to its very
root, and to deal most severely with the leading rioters, in order that
the missionaries and people may be in mutual accord; and in addition to
this action, beg leave to inclose a copy of the governor’s dispatch for
the information of your excellency, and to request that you will
instruct the consul to summon the missionary in charge of this chapel
and tell him in future to conduct himself discreetly, and not make work
for us.
[Inclosure 6 in No. 79.]
Mr. Avery to Prince
Kung.
Legation of the United States,
Pelting, June 15,
1875.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive the
dispatch of your imperial highness, under date of June 9, inclosing copy
of dispatch from the acting governor of Kiangsi, relating the
circumstances of an attack on the American missionary premises at
Kiu-kiang on the evening of May 1, and informing me that your imperial
highness has sent stringent orders to the acting governor of Kiangsi to
have the affair thoroughly investigated and the leading rioters
punished, in order that the missionaries and people may be in mutual
accord.
I beg leave to thank your imperial highness for this renewed proof of
your friendly and just disposition, and to express my satisfaction with
the prompt action of the local officials, who had already, as I
mentioned in a late communication to your imperial highness, given the
matter prompt attention, in marked contrast to the failure of such
action at Shui Chang.
Referring especially to the Kiu-kiang case, your imperial highness
observes: “It appears that the missionary Hart opened a chapel for the
purpose of exhorting men to be virtuous. Why should he without cause
shut up a young child in the chapel, and so arouse suspicions in the
breasts of the populace, to the creating of disturbances V And you then
remark that most of the disturbances between missionaries and the people
spring from the suspicions of the latter, who fear their children will
be abducted and misused; wherefore you ask me to have the missionary in
charge of the chapel at Kiu-kiang warned to conduct himself
discreetly.
In reply to this I beg leave respectfully to inform your imperial
highness that the missionary Hart did not shut up a young child in the
chapel, and knew nothing about the trouble until it was all over. The
Taotai at Kiu-kiang, in a dispatch to Consul Johnson informing the
latter of the facts and of his action in relation to the same, which
dispatch is now before me, expressly says that, “at the time of the
disturbance, the foreign missionary himself was not at the premises, and
that therefore the people made an attack which certainly should not have
been done.”
There was a boy in the chapel, as your highness says, but he had been
there but a very short time with the native keeper, and without the
knowledge of the missionary, who had left the premises; and the whole
affair, including the detention of the boy, and the disturbance,
occupied hardly more than an hour. The native keeper was to blame for
quarreling with the boy’s father, and for not opening the chapel; but it
is clear that no blame can justly attach to the missionary, and there
has never been anything in the conduct of American missionaries anywhere
to warrant the foolish suspicions of the people. They never constrain or
misuse children, and ought not to be held accountable for the silly
stories circulated about them by the ignorant or designing. I have
cautioned them to be discreet and conciliatory, and shall not fail to
urge them to avoid every occasion of trouble; but I beg leave to repeat
what I have already said on this subject, that the local authorities
should for their part be instructed to notify the people by proclamation
that the citizens of the United States come among them for lawful
purposes, under protection of treaty, and are not to be molested. If, in
any instance, they do wrong, let complaint be made to the nearest
consul, and if he does not do his duty, to this legation, and I can
assure your imperial highness that the wrong-doer will not escape
punishment.
I avail myself, &c.
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c.
[Page 390]
[Inclosure 7 in No.
79.—Translation.]
Prince Kung to Mr.
Avery.
Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes
a communication in reply.
I have received your excellency’s dispatch stating that in the matter of
the chapel opened by the missionary Hart, in the city of Kiu-kiang, the
missionary did not in person reside at the chapel, and that the shutting
up of a young child in it was no act of his; and your excellency
requests that the local officers issue proclamations informing the
people that American citizens come among them for proper objects , under
protection of treaty, and must not be molested; that in case any
missionary is guilty of any improper action, no matter where or when,
they can make complaint against him before the consul, and in case he
does not deal justly in the matter, they can appeal to your excellency’s
legation, &c.
It appears to me that the great proportion of the troubles between the
people and the Christians is caused by improper conduct on the part of
the chapel-keepers and their fellows in taking advantage of their
position to insult the people, and when disturbances ensue they hoodwink
the missionaries and the consuls, and so the officials engaged in
managing international affairs are unable to find out the truth and
settle the cases equitably, and the people are wronged. And the people,
thus treasuring up anger, become hostile, and break out into greater
violence. After the creation of a disturbance these disorderly persons,
(the chapel-keepers,) the real facts of the case becoming apparent, and
their guilt, they either hide in the chapels, and cannot be given up, or
they abscond in advance, and the local authorities are unable to seize
them.. And since at the time of the disturbance they cannot be dealt
with according to their deserts, after it is over they become even more
reckless. The populace, seeing this, oil hearing about the Christians,
do not ask either as to the nationality of the men, nor the kind of
church, (Catholic or Protestant,) nor whether the persons behaved
properly or not, but are more completely filled with hatred.
Whenever there are any suspicious circumstances in the chapel, crowds
gather, and everywhere disturbances occur, which have almost always the
origin described above.
If your excellency will carry out the statements made in your dispatch,
the people and the Christians will most assuredly be at peace, and this
is certainly the road to protection and friendship. But it occurs to me
that there are missionary operations throughout all the interior, while
consuls are found only at the open ports, and your excellency lives in
this capital. Hence, although the people are allowed to make complaints,
the great distance is an obstacle, and there are many other
inconveniences.
Although the missionaries know and do their duty, the chapel-keepers,
&c., are all guilty of misconduct, and bring trouble upon the
missionaries.
Since your excellency is now so kind as to allow the people to make
complaints against the Christians, this Yamen has sent instructions to
all the provinces to issue proclamations informing the people that
hereafter, in case any missionary or any of his subordinates is guilty
of improper conduct, that in addition to making complaint to the local
authorities and abstaining from all disturbance themselves, they can
make complaint to the consul at the nearest port, and in case he fails
to adjust the case equitably, may appeal from hi in to your excellency’s
legation.
At the moment of dispatching this communication, I hear from the acting
governor of Kiangsi that, in the case of the chapel of the missionary
Hart, the trouble arose from a Chinese chapel-keeper shutting up a boy
on the premises. The said Chinese chapel-keeper has absconded and cannot
be found. At the time of the disturbance there were no missionaries on
the place. The destruction of the property was certainly deplorable. But
the people acted without premeditation; they gathered instantly, and
were as quickly scattered, and arrests were impossible. It has been
decided to repay the losses and reconstruct the buildings, in order to
satisfy the men from far, (the missionaries.) The buildings, walls,
carpenter and mason work will be made good, and the value of the books,
clothing, &c., paid in money. The amount paid in silver is 775
taels. The case has thus been settled after personal conference with the
missionaries.
I report this mode of settlement for your excellency’s information.
[Inclosure 8 in No. 79.]
Mr. Avery to Prince
Kung.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, June 29,
1875.
Sir: I have had the honor to receive your
dispatch of the 24th instant, informing me of the settlement of the
missionary case at Kiu-kiang in a manner conformable to justice, and beg
leave to return my thanks for the gratifying information.
[Page 391]
I also wish to thank your imperial highness for acting on my suggestion
that if citizens of the United States do wrong, the remedy lies in an
appeal to the consuls or minister, not in mob violence, and for
directing the provincial authorities to notify the people of this fact.
If now the provincial authorities will see that the people act
accordingly, and do not molest citizens of the United States who are
among them on lawful errands, under the protection of treaty and
provided with passports of protection, we shall hear of very few
difficulties.
I avail myself, &c.
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung,
Chief Secretary of State, &c.
[Inclosure 9 in No. 79.]
Mr. Avery to Mr.
Johnson.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, June 18,
1875.
Sir: Under date of June 3 I addressed Prince
Kung in a communication, copy of which is inclosed for your information,
detailing the circumstances of the repeated attacks on American
missionaries and their premises at Shui Chang, which were made the
subject of an appeal to me in your No. 344. You will see from his reply,
copy of which is also inclosed, that his imperial highness has forwarded
a copy of my complaint and demand for redress to the superintendent of
trade for the southern ports, with orders to have the local authorities
“make most careful investigation into the real facts of the case, and
settle it justly.”
This reference, and the manner in which it is made, encourages me to
expect that satisfactory results will follow. I attach some importance
to the fact that my own suggestion as to the mode of settlement and the
issuance of a proclamation have been sent to so high an officer as the
one named.
Shen Pao Shun, who has lately been appointed superintendent of trade for
the southern ports, has been usually prompt and just in his dealings
with foreigners, and the acting superintendent Lin is also a
well-disposed executive.
Until the superintendent has reported under his instructions, I can do no
more, unless officially informed that no action at all is being
taken.
Before answering my communication referring to the Shin Chang troubles,
Prince Kung addressed me, as per inclosure, on the subject of the
Kiu-kiang affair, which had been so incorrectly reported to him that I
was obliged to reply in the terms of the inclosure, which is sent for
your information.
I was not sorry to be afforded so good an opportunity for the vindication
of American citizens against unjust charges.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
R. M. Johnson, Esq.,
United States Consul, Han-kow.
