No. 181.
Mr. Avery
to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Peking, August 18, 1875.
(Received October 7.)
No. 91.]Sir: In my No 79, of July 18, detailing certain
assaults upon American missionaries and missionary premises, and the efforts
made to obtain redress and better protection for the future, I inclosed
copies of dispatches to Prince Kung, in which I represented to him that most
of the difficulties arose from popular ignorance of the treaty rights of
foreigners, and urged upon him the necessity for the issuance of
proclamations calculated to remove such ignorance, and warning the people
that the persons and premises of foreigners must be respected. The prince
sent copies of my dispatch to the superintendents of trade, who have general
supervision of foreign relations in the provinces, with certain
instructions, as set forth in my No. 79.
As one of the first fruits of this action, a proclamation was recently issued
in the province of Fuhkien, the terms of which convince me that
[Page 403]
the local officials have seen and
were influenced by the instructions of Tsung li Yamen.
This proclamation came to me as an inclosure to a dispatch from our efficient
consul at Foochow, Mr. De Lano, copy of which is sent herewith, together
with a translation of the proclamation, which was made at this legation.
I regard this document as the most important and satisfactory paper relating
to the rights of our missionary citizens under the treaty which has been
issued within my knowledge in China. It is not only full and clear as to the
rights of our citizens, but as to those of native Christians.
On this point Mr. De Lano seems to have exerted himself especially with good
effect, and deserves credit for procuring the posting of a proclamation
calculated generally to have such excellent results. It is not to be
expected that it will entirely prevent insult and violence in the districts
where issued, but it must exert a restraining and enlightening influence,
especially as it is addressed to officials as well as to the people.
Could such proclamations be issued in all the provinces, I am persuaded the
number of missionary difficulties would soon be very small.
It is remarkable that no reservations are expressed as to the rights to
reside and to obtain land in the interior by “perpetual lease,” which is the
term used instead of “sale” or “purchase,” to designate the mode by which
foreigners acquire property subject to the nominal ownership of the Emperor
and the eminent domain of the state. The renting of buildings for chapels
is, also, put on the same footing as renting for commercial purposes. It
would seem from all this that there is no disposition at present to raise a
question as to the status of missionaries beyond the limits of
treaty-ports.
I ought to explain that the proclamation issues from what is commonly called
the “board of trade,” a committee on foreign affairs, peculiar to the
province of Fuhkien, which consists of three high local officials, including
the Foo-chow Taotai. In this connection, I may state that a late member of
this board, the Taotai pan, obstructed the business brought before it by
Consul De Lano to such an extent that I made a complaint on the subject to
the Tsung li Yamen, which led to his removal not long ago, and the
substitution of a more tractable and friendly official. This change much
facilitated Mr. De Lano’s intercourse with the board, and led to the prompt
consideration of the cases referred to in the proclamation.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure in No. 91.]
Mr. De Lano to Mr.
Avery.
United
States Consulate,
Foo-chow, August 3,
1875.
Sir: I nave the honor to hand you herewith a
copy (without translation) of a proclamation lately issued at my request
by the committee of foreign affairs at this port, touching the rights
,of foreign missionaries and native Christians in China.
Attacks upon chapels in the interior, discourteous treatment of
foreigners, especially missionaries, and persecutions of native
Christians, have been greatly on the increase in this province of late.
I have with great difficulty procured the publication and the promise of
a general distribution of this proclamation, but I find the authorities
unwilling to attempt the arrest and punishment of offenders, even when I
am able to identify and point them out.
I am almost always able to trace the persecution of native Christians to
the instigation
[Page 404]
of local
mandarins, but no matter how clear and undeniable the proof may be
against them, the high authorities will not even rebuke them.
I have at this time a case in hand, in which a native convert was
murdered by a mob, and most unmistakably at the instigation of the local
magistrate, but it is treated as a matter of little consequence.
My faith in the efficacy of the proclamation is by no means strong, but
it is a means of getting one article of our treaty before the people,
thousands of whom, I dare say, do not know of the existence of
treaties.
* * * * * * *
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
M. M. De LANO,
United States Consul.
Hon. Benj. P. Avery,
United States Minister, Peking.,
[Inclosure to inclosure in No.
91.—Translation.]
Proclamation.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs for the province of Fuhkien herewith
makes a special proclamation:
With reference to foreigners of every nationality conducting missionary
operations in the interior of China, the treaties state plainly that
“the principles of the Christian religion, as professed by the
Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches, are recognized as teaching men
to do good, and to do to others as they would have others do to
them.”
Hereafter, those who quietly profess and teach these doctrines shall not
be harassed or persecuted on account of their faith. Any person, whether
citizen of the United States or Chinese convert, who, according to these
tenets, peaceably teach and practice the principles of Christianity,
“shall in no case be interfered with or molested.”
First and last, many complaints have been received by the consuls that
the literati and people of Yen-cho-fu, Chien-fu, Shao-fu, Hsing-hwa-fu,
and the various subordinate villages, being engaged in’idol-processions,
repairing temples, theatrical performances, &c, have levied
contributions of money upon the Christians, seizing or destroying the
property of, and using abusive language toward, those who refused to
contribute. These complaints have been laid by the consuls before this
committee, which has ordered the local officials to deal rigorously with
the cases reported, and to issue proclamations forbidding such
things.
In reference to foreigners obtaining land in the interior of the Chinese,
under a perpetual lease on which to construct chapels, the lease should
be handed over by the foreigner concerned to his consul, and by him
transmitted to the local authority for inspection, and in order to
receive the official seal, and then returned to the foreigner. And they
are permitted to rent the premises of the people for use as chapels in
all the cities, towns, and villages as they may choose. Let it be
understood that their-renting buildings for chapels is, in all respects,
the same as though the buildings were rented to merchants for shops, or
to families as places of residence; the neighbors on either hand must
not invent falsehoods, or raise objections, but must heed the
treaties.
This proclamation is issued in order to fully inform you officials,
seniors, soldiers, and common people that the purchase of premises,
opening of chapels, and prosecuting of missionary work in all places by
foreigners, is plainly specified in the treaty. If in any place a
fraudulent sale is made, let full complaint be made to the local
officials, and permit no local disturbance to the making of trouble.
In idol-processions, repairing temples, &c., it is not allowed to
levy contributions from the Christians, against their will. The
literati, soldiery, and common people must treat with respect and
courtesy those who preach and practice Christianity, that the Christians
and the people may live in peaceful relations. The character “yi”* must, also, not be used in violation of treaty.
Foreigners may dwell in all the cities, towns, and villages of the
interior, and must not be molested.
If officials, literati, or the people, meet with foreigners, they must
treat them with great respect, as an indication of kindly feeling on
their part, and must not allow insults, or disrespect of any sort; this
for the promotion of a spirit of amity and concord.
In the matter of Chinese professors of Christianity, in case of suits at
law, the foreign missionaries will not be allowed to protect or screen
them.
After the issue of this proclamation, let officials, literati, soldiers,
and populace each do the right, and avoid giving rise to disorders.
Should any dare to disobey, he will be most severely dealt with. Give
heed, therefore, to this special proclamation.
