CHARLES WILLIAM WASON 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 CHINA AND THE CHINESE 
 
 THE GIFT OF ' j f 
 
 CHARLES WILLIAM WASON /V 
 
 CLASS OF 1876 i , , 
 
The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023168606 
 
BRITISH 
 
 P A R L lAMElTTARY PAPERS 
 
 MISSIONARIES IN 
 CHINA 
 
 1868 -^1872 
 
 CU:/^a.^//,J ^/^^^^^^^X--^ 
 
 CLEVELAND 
 19 15 
 
COHTEITS 
 
 Correspondence respecting the Attack on British Protestant 
 Missionaries at Yang- chow- foo, August, 1868 
 
 Correspondence respecting Missionary Disturbances at Che-foo, 
 and Taiwan (iPormosa), 1869 
 
 Correspondence with Sir Rutherford Alcook respecting Mission- 
 aries at Hankow, and State of Affairs at various Port in 
 China, 1869 
 
 Papers respecting the Proceedings of Her Majesty's Ship "Janus" 
 at Sharp Peak Islands, near Foo-chow-foo, 1869 
 
 Further Correspondence respecting the Attack on British Protestant / >/ / / 
 Missionaries at Tang-chow-foo, August, 1868 
 
 Correspondence respecting Inland Residence of English Missionaries 
 in China, 1870 
 
 Circular of the Chinese (Government, communicated by the French y 
 Charge d 'Affaires, 1871 
 
 Correspondence respecting the Circular of the Chinese Grovernment 
 of February 9, 1871, relating to Missionaries, 1872 
 
Correspondence respecting the Attack on British Protestant 
 Missionaries at Yang-chow-foo, August 1868. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Lord Stanley, — {Received October 18.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, August 27, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copy of a despatch 
 to his Excellency Her Majesty's Minister, dated to-day. 
 
 I hSiVG fro 
 
 (Signed) ' w'. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure in I^o. 1. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, August 27, 1868. 
 
 I EEGrRET to have to report the commission of a most serious outrage upon the 
 persons and property of certain British Missionaries resident at Yang-chow-foo, about 
 twelve miles north of Chin-kiang. I have not yet received any official particulars of 
 what took place, but the reports which have come down, and which are confirmed by a 
 hurried note from Mr. Assistant Allen, state that a mob headed by the literati attacked 
 and set on fire the premises in which the missionary families resided ; that the onslaught 
 was sudden and severe ; that the children and ladies had to be thrown out of the windows 
 to save their lives ; one gentleman had his eye knocked out ; and that the whole of the 
 parfcy have been more or less injured. , It is rumoured, moreover, that the attack was 
 threatened for more than ten days before it occurred, and that the authorities took no 
 pains whatever to avert the damage until the missionaries had been actually ejected, 
 when a guard was given to escort them to Chin-kiang. 
 
 I propose to proceed to Chin-kiang at once, and I have requested the Viceroy at 
 ifanking to de^pute an official of sufficient standing to meet me there for the purpose of 
 proceeding with myself to Yang-chow, and holding a formal investigation into the 
 circumstances of the case. 
 
 Further particulars of my proceedings shall be duly reported. 
 
 A copy of this despatch has gone direct to the Foreign Office. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 1^0. 2. 
 
 Acting Vice-Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — (Received November 1.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, September 8, 1868. 
 
 WITH reference to Mr, Consul Medhurst's despatch of the 27th ultimo, forwarding 
 a copy of his despatch of the same date to Her Britannic Majesty's Minister, I have 
 [143] B 
 
*he honour to inclose copies of his despatches dated Chin-kiang, the 31st of August 
 and 3rd of September respectively, with their several inclosures, containing a further 
 report on the circumstances connected with the recent outrage on British missionaries at 
 Yang-chow-foo. 
 
 T ll3iVG &C 
 
 (Signed) ' H. J. FOEEEST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 2. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Chin-kiang, August 31, 1868. 
 
 IN my despatch dated Shangbae, 27th August, 1868, I reported that I was on the 
 point of proceeding to Chinkiang for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances 
 connected with a serious outrage which report said had been committed upon the persons 
 and property of some British missionaries residing at Yang-chow, a large city not far from 
 this port ; and that I had requested the Yiceroy of ]!Jfanking to depute an officer to meet 
 me here, and to assist me in investigation. 
 
 I arrived here accordingly last night ; and this morning I interrogated the 
 missionaries most carefully in respect to the part they had in the alFair. The accom- 
 panying copy of a statement, with an affidavit, which. they then made before me, will 
 suffice to put your Excellency in possession of all the facts of the case. 
 
 The following significant inferences may, I think, be drawn from the accounts so 
 given : — 
 
 1. That the attack was entirely unprovoked ; 
 
 2. That it was instigated by the literati and gentry generally; 
 
 3. That the outrage was distinctly premeditated, and occupied time in being put into 
 execution ; 
 
 4. That the local authorities took no pains whatever to prevent or put down^the 
 excitement, notwithstanding that they were warned of the possible entente, and repeatedly 
 and courteously appealed to for protection; 
 
 5. That when the rage of the mob had been permitted to take its course, and after 
 protection had been tardily accorded, they actually threatened the victims to leave them 
 to their fate, unless they recorded it as their opinion that the attack partook of the nature 
 of a simple disturbance, punishable as far as the actors in it were concerned, with the 
 eangue ; and — 
 
 6. That since the affair took place, the authorities have done nothing towards 
 expressing their disapprobation of the conduct of the ringleaders. These facts impart to 
 the whole affair such a very serious character, that 1 have decided upon proceeding to 
 Yang-chovt' myself, whether the Viceroy's deputy makes his appearance or not,* and 
 endeavom-ing to procure the condign punishment of all persons known to have been 
 eoncerned ; to require reasonable compensation for the sufferers; and to cause proclama- 
 tions to be issued which shall insure their future immunity from molestation. Should I 
 fail in securing these objects, I propose to carry the whole case to his Excellency Tseng 
 Kwo-fan himself; and in that event I shall ask for the degradation and punishment of the 
 Chefu and Chih-hsien. 
 
 Such are the plans I at present propose to myself; and I have communicated them, 
 together with a copy of the affidavit, to Her Majesty's Senior I^aval Officer, who I have 
 no, doubt will see the necessity of supporting my action by his presence and co-operation. 
 I trust I shall have your Excellency's approval of my conduct thus far. 
 
 I am happy to be able to report, that Mr. Assistant Allen, the moment that he 
 received reports of the danger to which the missionaries were being subjected, most 
 energetically hastened to. their assistance, and recorded a personal protest with the 
 authorities against tbeir pusillanimous and culpable conduct. They endeavoured to 
 excuse themselves from all direct blame, and showed him a proclamation which had just 
 ■been issued, assuring him, moreover, that the house was already being repaired, and that 
 the perpetrators of the outrage should all -he, ;^nished. But he observed no signs of any 
 honest intention to fulfil these pledges, and having no power to insist further, he returned 
 to Chinkiang. A translation of the proclamation is inclosed herewith ; and it will be 
 seen with what culpable lenity the entire affair is treated. I have expressed my full 
 approval of Mr, Allen's conduct. 
 
 I also have the honour to inclose a translation of a document which is of interest in 
 cormection with thi^ affiiir. It purports to be a letter written by a man at Yang-chow to 
 
a friiamd in 8hanghae, and appaafentlywas never intended for the eye>ofi a fbretgBfli. It. 
 curiously corroborateet the statement made by Mr. Taylor, that the literati -vrere instigatot»? 
 of the attack, and influencedfthe local authorities against the foreigners. 
 
 (Signed) ' w'. H. MEDHURST, 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 2. 
 
 Statement, with Affidavit, made by Missionaries from Yang'cbow. 
 
 APPEAEED before me, Walter H. Medhurst, Her Britannic Mkjesty's ConBiai, 
 Shanghae, on Monday, A.ugust31, 1868, at the Consulate Office, Chinkiang, James Hudson 
 Taylor, George Duncan, William Eudland, and Henry Eeid, members of the China Inland 
 Mission, who did collectively and individually make oath and say, that the following 
 particulars of an outrage committed on them and their families at Yang-chow are to thei 
 best of their knowledge and belief strictly true, as witness their several hands, the day 
 and date above set forth. 
 
 (Signed) J. HUDSON TAYLOE. 
 
 GEOEGE DUNCAN. 
 
 WILLIAM EUDLAND. 
 
 HENEI EEID. 
 
 Statement of circumstances connected with an outrage committed on the CMna Inland 
 Mission at Yang-chow, on the 22nd and 23rd of August^ 1868, 
 
 It is now more than a fortnight since I was informed that there had been a meetii^ 
 of some of the literary and military Siu-tsai, when it was determined to stir up th« 
 pecxple by agitating reports "yao-yen," and thus to eject us from Yang-chow. I endea^ 
 voured to quiet the fears of my informant, one of the agents or middlemen who had 
 assisted me in renting the house there ; but from that time we were frequently annoyed, 
 and sometimes endangered by the throwing of stones at and into our windows. Adopting 
 every means in our power to prevent disturbance, we quietly proceeded with the repairs 
 ofthe premises and hoped the best. 
 
 Ere long small anonymous ha,ndbills in manuscript were posted up, and the people 
 began to be very troublesome, but by patiently endeavouring to pacify them, we 
 succeeded in avoiding any outbreak. These handbills proving insufficient to effect the 
 malignant purpose of their authors, larger ones (nearly a yard long) were posted up, 
 calling us brigands of the religion of Jesus, stating that we scooped out the eyes of the 
 dying, opened foundling hospitals to eat the children, cut open pregnant women (for the 
 purpose of making medicine of the infants), &c. This roused the people so much that, 
 though we were able to prevent a riot by taking' our stand at the door of the- premises' 
 and arguing all day with them as they assembled, I felt it incumbent on me to write t& 
 the Prefect, and request him to take such steps as appeared to him requisite. I wrote, 
 inclosing a copy of the anonymous placard, on Friday, August 14, as follows : — 
 
 (Vide Chinese Inclosure 1.) 
 
 "J. H. Taylor, Director of the China Inland Mission, to his Excellency the Prefect Sun, 
 " Some time ago I had the honour to receive a copy of a Proclamation, for which I 
 beg to thank you. Having been pressed with business, and ill (not having yet fully 
 recovered), I have not called to thank you in person. For this omission I beg your 
 forgiveness. At the commencement of this month I rented a house in the Kiung-hua- 
 kuan Street, under your Excellency's jurisdiction, which house is now being repaired* 
 Eude persons and soldiers continually disobeyed your Proclamation, and day by day 
 came to the house, wandering about, amusing themselves, and acting most indecorously. 
 Some of them insisted on going upstairs, and, regardless that there were females there, 
 entered the rooms, and went hither and thither with the greatest boldness and impudence. 
 (Being ill myself) I directed persons to remonstrate with them as to the impropriety of 
 such conduct, but without effect. 
 
 " At the present time there are persons spreading unfounded ' yao-yen ' containing 
 many scandals. Moreover these are written in large characters on yellow paper, and 
 placarded about in every direction, with the object of making them universally known, i£ 
 
so be that foolish people believing them, may be collected into a mob and make trouble. 
 What should be done under these circumstances ? I now inclose a copy of these 
 * yao-yen,' the only object of my petition being to beg your Excellency to adopt sonie 
 mode of repressing them, so as to frustrate their insidious purpose and prevent their 
 their spreading further; thus peace may be preserved. For matters are in such a 
 state that, if they are not stringently prohibited, most assuredly we shall suflFer great 
 injury. Therefore I beg beforehand to apprize your Excellency, and again venture to 
 trouble you. 
 
 " May I request the favour of a reply. 
 
 "With many compliments, &c." 
 
 The Prefect promised an answer, which we received on the following day, Saturday, 
 August 16, as follows : — 
 
 {Vide Chinese Inclosure 2.) 
 
 " A short time ago I received your letter, and made myself fully acquainted with 
 the whole matter. The Tang-chow people have long been frivolous and capricious. 
 Have you informed the Che-heen of your having rented the house. I have not heard 
 him refer to it. The Yang-chow people are very mixed, and like to make trouble, and 
 the local authorities can only put out proclamations commanding and prohibiting, they 
 have not the power to take each man in hand individually and stop him. Since I have 
 learned these things from your letter, you can wait and I will command the Che-heen to 
 put out proclamations, in accordance with the Ch'ang-chin Tao's despatch prohibiting 
 these things. 
 
 '• In. the meantime I send this reply, with salutations, &c." 
 
 The same day some of the better disposed people forewarned us that a riot might be 
 expected on the morrow, and advised or>r immediately adopting every precaution to avoid 
 collision with the people. We at once built up as many of the entrances to the house as 
 possible, and placing two large chairs across the passage which leads from the street to 
 the house, two of us seated ourselves in them, and so closed the way. A crowd of 
 from 100 to 200 persons was assembled, and from time to time we addressed them 
 with the eflfect of preventing any actual breach of the peace. Moreover we had, a few^ 
 days before, engaged two of the Tepao's assistants as doorkeepers, who were of some help 
 in soothing the people. 
 
 When Sunday came we found the need of all these preparations. From morning till 
 night we had to keep our post at the entrance. It was clear that the attempts to enrage 
 the mob emanated from the respectably dressed persons who from time to time, came 
 among them ; but our knowledge of what they were saying enabled us at once to answer 
 their remarks. Two or three times there were decided attempts to break into the house, 
 and the windows were frequently assailed with stones and brickbats ; but by persuasion 
 and avoiding any appearance of fear or attempt at retaliation, we constrained the majority 
 of the mob to admit, however unwillingly, that right was on our side. 
 
 During this day, Sunday 16th, a new placard was freely posted about, more vile and 
 irritating than the previous ones, commencing : -" What a beast is this Jesus whose 
 venom has reached to China." It concluded with a notification that on the 1st day of the 
 7th moon, the local examination day (the graduates meet for examination in Yangchow 
 on the 1st and 15th of the month), the graduates and people would meet on the exercise 
 ground, and thence come to our house and burn it down, when all, natives and foreigners, 
 would be destroyed indiscriminately. 
 
 On Monday the crowding was much less, and we availed ourselves of the lull to cir- 
 culate a number of handbills showing the foolishness of the slanders, and explaining that 
 we could not at once throw the doors open and let in the people to view the premises 
 for themselves on account of the danger there might be of the falling of scaffolding, 
 and of unfinished walls, &c., but that in two or three weeks time, when the repairs were 
 finished, we would ask them to come again. This seemed to have a beneficial effect, and 
 though there was great crowding all Tuesday, 1st of 7th moon, and several attempts were 
 made by literary men to stir up the mob, especially by Siu-tsai of the name Kuh, no 
 further damage was done than the injuring of some of the window-shutters and roof, by 
 the missiles hurled at the house from the back. On Wednesday, August 19th, as no 
 public steps had been taken to repress the disorders, I again wrote to the Prefect, as 
 follows : — 
 
 {Vide Chinese Inclosure 3.) 
 
 " Matters being most urgent, I beg you to excuse the absence of complimentary 
 expressions, 
 
" A few days ago I received your reply referring to the light and frivolous disposition 
 of the Yang-chow people, and their fondness for making trouble, and stating that I was 
 to wait until the Che-heen should issue prohibitory proclamations in accordance with the 
 despatch of the Taotae of the Chang-chow and Ohin-chiang district. 
 
 "Up to the present time I have not seen any steps to repress [these agitators]. 
 Therefore the people are the more daring and fearless, daily crowding about the door, 
 creating the utmost disturbance, evidently intending, and before long, to make trouble. 
 
 " It is not because I am alarmed that I come again to cry ' Danger ; ' what I feel 
 anxious about is this, should loss of life ensue wbat then will be the consequences ? May- 
 I beg your serious attention to this question ? I came here to propagate religion in 
 accordance with the will of the Emperor as given in the Treaty of Commerce and Amity ; 
 ought I then to be subjected to such insult ? I request you to refer to the Articles of the 
 Treaty, which state that British subjects are permitted to buy ground and build chapels 
 in the interior, and furthermore are allowed in every place, at their own convenience, to 
 travel without detention, molestation, or hindrance. And that in case of need they may 
 with confidence look for profection and aid at any time, &c. It is on this ground 
 that Tventure to trouble you again. Yesterday a resident of the city, well known to the 
 Tepao, of the family name of Thuh, came to tlie gate making a disturbance, and to my 
 face falsely charged me with scooping out peoples' eyes, eating the brains and marrows of 
 infants, imprisoning men in pits [for eating], and with loud shouts threatened ere many 
 days were passed to collect a mob and come and beat and destroy us ! * using most 
 extravagant language. To this the Constable Lin Plan can bear witness. I would there- 
 fore respectfully pray yonr Excellency to send officers to arrest him, and put a stop to his 
 violence, in order to quiet the streets and lanes, which will indeed be a matter for thank- 
 fulness. Wherefore, &c." 
 
 To this note the following reply was sent by the Prefect in the afternoon of the 
 same day. 
 
 {Vide Chinese Inclosure 4.) 
 
 " A respectful reply. I received your letter, and have acquainted myself with the 
 whole matter. The Yang-chow people are of various dispositions, and are light and easily 
 moved. From your former letter I understood that for several days jtast the streets 
 were full of placards posted anonymously and spreading 'yao-yen.' I have already 
 privately sent men to make enquiry and arrest for adjudication ; and have directed the 
 two Chih-hsien together to put out proclamations. But persons who get up this kind of 
 report and placard generally do it in the dark ; and without either name or surname, it 
 is not easy for me in a short time to lay hold on them. You, coming here in accordance 
 with the treaty to spread your religion are entitled to timely protection and aid ; and the 
 Prefect and Magistrates ought to obey the Taotae and issue prohibitory proclamations. 
 Further I have already commanded officers to investigate until they have clear evidence ; 
 iu accordance with which I will deal with the matter. As to the man known to the 
 Tepao, who dared to make disturbance at your door, I will instantly send for and 
 examine him, and issue warning proclamations. In the mean time I send you this reply ; 
 wishing, &c." 
 
 Subsequent to the receipt of this, I was informed that the Prefect, finding the man. 
 Khu .was a graduate, did not send for him, but advised the Huoh Lau Sz to prevent the 
 graduate from making any more trouble, and I concluded that this was in consequence 
 of the representations Mr. Allen had made in Chinkiang. For it was evident that though 
 the Prefect would write a polite note, he feared the unpopularity of taking any decided 
 steps in our favour. 
 
 Matters continued to look better until August 22nd. On that day two of the 
 foreign residents in Chinkiang spent a few hours in Yang-chow, and found the city quiet. 
 Their visit would appear to have suggested another excuse for a riot. In the exercise 
 grounds and tea houses, and along the streets a rumour was industriously circulated that 
 more foreigners had come, and that 24 children were missing. I first became aware of 
 danger about 4 p.m., when one of the servants came running into the house, and asked 
 me to come out at once, as both the inner and outer gate had been burst open, and a 
 crowd was already in the premises. Losing no time I went and found it was indeed so, 
 but succeeded in getting them out, and in stationing two of our number at the end of 
 the entrance lane as before^ while the gates were repaired by the carpenters then working 
 on the premises. A little later the people began to pelt those sitting at the door, a 
 thixg not attempted before. At dark instead of going home the rioters became more 
 u^t>cirious. We sent at intervals two messengers to the Prefect, but they neither 
 
 * This man is a Siu-tsai; the Tepao dare not give me his full name. 
 
returned themselves, nor did any aid come. The attack became general, some of the 
 shutters were dashed in from behind, part of the baok garden wall was pulled down, *nd; 
 it was evident that without help we could not long keep the people out. Mr. Duncan 
 and I determined therefore to endeavour to make our way through the mob, and g^ m 
 person to the Prefect, as there was no hope of Chinese messengers reaching him. 
 Passing through a neighbour's house, and knowing a private way leading towards th§ 
 Tam^n, we succeeded in eluding the rioters about the door, but when we reached^ the 
 main street we were at once recognised, and severely pelted with stones and brickbats, 
 and but for the protection afforded by the darkness should scarcely have reached the 
 Yam^n. The Men-fang were closing the gates as we approached, alarmed by the yells of 
 the people behind us, but the crowd came up, and closing upon us, the as yet unbarred 
 gate gave way to the pressure, and we were precipitated into the entrance-ball. We 
 were taken to the room of the Sz-yie, and kept waiting about three-quarters of an hour 
 before we had an audience ; all the time hearing the yells of the mob, a mile or more off, 
 destroying, for ought we knew, not only the property, but possibly the lives of those most 
 dear to us. And when at last we did get an audience, it was almost more than we could 
 bear with composure to be interrogated as to what we really did with the babies ; whether 
 it was true that we had bought them, and how many ; what was really the cause of all 
 this rioting, &c. At last I told his Excellency that the real cause of all this trouble 
 was his own neglect in not taking measures when the matter was small and manageable ; 
 that I must now request him first to take steps to repress the riot and save any of our 
 friends who might still be alive ; and afterwards make such enquiries as he might wish, or 
 I would not answer for the result. "Ah," said he, "very true, very true; first quiet the 
 people and then enquire. Sit still, I will go and see what can be done." 
 
 He went out telling us to remain, as the only chance of his effecting anything 
 depended on our keeping out of sight ; for by this time the number of rioters amounted 
 to 8,000 or 10,000 (the natives estimated them at 20,000). We were kept in the torture 
 of suspense for about two hours, when the Prefect returned with the Ts'an-fu, and told us 
 that all was quiet now, that the Ts'an-fu and himself the Show-pe, and two Hsien, had 
 been in person to the scene of the disturbance ; and that they had seized several of those 
 who were plundering the premises and would have them punished. He then sent chairs- 
 foir us, and we returned under escort. On the way back we were told that all the 
 foreigners were killed, and when we reached the house the scene was such as baffled all 
 description ; here a pile of half-burnt reeds showed where one of the attempts to set the 
 hpuse on fire had been made ; there debris of a broken wall were to be seen ; and strewn 
 everywhere were the remains of boxes, and furniture, scattered papers and letters, broken 
 work-boxes, writing-desks, dressing-cases, surgical instrument cases, smouldering remains 
 of valuable books, &c., but no trace of inhabitants within. It was some time ere I was 
 able to learn that they had escaped, and then it was not easy to ascertain where they 
 were. At last I found them in the house of one of the neighbours under the care of the 
 Kan-tseuen-hsien. On hearing from him that he considered it safe to remove them into; 
 th^ house, I took them back again, and was then informed of what had transpired during 
 our absence. 
 
 It would seem that, had the Prefect sent help at once, no harm would have been 
 done, and it is difficult to avoid the conviction that he intentionally avoided it in order to 
 allow time for a sufficient amount of disturbance to make us afraid to remain in the city. 
 After we left, Messrs. Reid and Rudland kept tlve doors and entrances as long as possible, 
 determined only to retire from point to point as actually compelled, and hoping to retard- 
 thp progress of the rioters until help might arrive. While they were keeping the people- 
 out at the front door, a wall that had been built to close up a side door was pulled down 
 and they had to retire to a nearer point. In the meantime the windows of the main 
 building continued to be assailed vtith showers of stone, and the walls at the back were 
 broken through. Mr. Eudland therefore went to try and keep the people at bay there. 
 The hope of plunder being evidently more promising behind the house, and all means of 
 defence being absent, the mob concentrated their efforts in that direction, and the front, 
 of the premises was left comparatively open. When Mr. Reed was aware of this he left 
 the servants in charge at the front, and joined Mr. Rudland in the main building, the, 
 latter going upstairs, while Mr. Reid remained below. The rioters had already made' two ; 
 entrances into the house, but had not ventured in. It was not long, however, before the 
 bolder of them did so, destroying the furniture downstairs, and taking off whatever of: 
 value they were able to remove. Soon, some of them w;ent upstairs, and commenced 
 pillaging the bedrooms. Resistance was out of the question, and they at onte began to 
 carry off boxes, &c., and to rifle the heavier cases and drawers. At the same time those 
 bebw were kindling fires, the smoke of which was almost stifling^ upstairs ; shortly. 
 
Mr. Eeid, from the GourfcibeJiow, in a hoUowj hoarse voice, as if utterly exhausted, called 
 out, "Mrs. Taylor, come down if you can, they are setting the house on fire, and I cannot 
 help you." By raean.s of sheets and blankets and Mr. Eudland's aid, Mrs. Eudland, our 
 head printer's young wife Ansing, and one of my children, were let down from the 
 projecting roof under the window of the bedroom, where all were now collected. At this 
 point a man came into the room, and Mrs. Taylor expostulated with him, asking him if 
 he were not ashamed to molest women and children, and succeeded in keeping him 
 parleying for a short time ; meanwhile, a little Chinese girl and my two younger h&js 
 were let down by Mr. Rudland. Our nurse (Mrs. Bohannon) made her way down the 
 staiTS with the baby, by following closely a nian who was running off with a box, and then 
 rushing through the fire at the bottom of the stairs escaped to the front. The man 
 mentioned above, felt about and searched the persons of the ladies, taking money from 
 Miss Blatchley, a pocket and hair ornament from Miss Desgraz, and her wedding-ring 
 from Mrs. Taylor. The smoke was now thickening, and the noise of falling walls, of 
 the stones thrown in at the windows, and the increasing yells of the mob were truly 
 alarming. Miss Desgraz was let down by the blanket ; but then some burning materials 
 were thrown just underneath the window to prevent others being saved. The same man 
 who had robbed the ladies twice attempted to kill Mr. Eudland, and would certainly have 
 succeeded but for the interposition of Mrs. Taylor and Miss Blatchley„ Mr. Reid (who 
 had several times been obliged to escape and hide from his assailants) called to them 
 from below that there was not a moment to loose ; they must jump down from the roof 
 (from 12 to 15 feet), and he would catch them. He was able somewhat to break 
 Mrs. Taylor's fall, and then a brickbat struck his eye and blinded him, disabling him from 
 assisting Miss Blatchley, who fell upon the stones. While prostrate and helpless upon 
 the ground, almost stunned by the fall and by the injuries they had sustained, showers of 
 missiles were hurled at them. Mr. Rudland dropped himself from the roof and was 
 immediately assaulted with a club, but escaped with bruises, and assisted the others to 
 flee^ leaving the house at the mercy of the rioters. Those who had escaped from the 
 house earlier had been concealed under the "liang ting" in the garden, and when all were 
 down they were able to make their way into one of their neighbour's houses in the same 
 compound, as all the rioters were busy at the back of the building, and had left the front 
 free for the time being. 
 
 It was past midnight when we returned to the house. A guard of soldiers and some 
 meiL from the mandarins kept watch through the night. But, when they left at dawn, 
 there were none appointed to relieve them, and the people soon began to re-collect. We 
 were able to keep them out of the premises only for a short time, for now there were five 
 entrances^ and the plunder of the preceding evening had whetted the appetite of the 
 people. I had again to go the Prefect and request aid. He did not see me himself, but 
 sent for the Kan-tsuen-hsien, who told me that it was not safe for any of the members of 
 our party to leave the city now ; but that if I would write a letter to the Prefect, stating 
 that we were not the parties who had bought children, and without entering into 
 particulars, but simply calling the riot of last night a disturbance, would ask for redress, 
 the Prefect would send this letter to him, and he would put several persons into thie 
 cangue, and issue proclamations to quiet the people. " Thus," said he, " we may hope 
 before night to have comparative peace restored. And by to-morrow if you wish to send 
 away the wounded and the females, you can do so with safety, either going yourself, or 
 remaining behind as you deem best." He returned with me to the house, where I found 
 another wall broken down, and further loss and destruction of property. Matters had 
 looked even worse than the night before. At this time the premises in front as well as 
 behind were filled with the crowd, leaving no way of escape ; but on this I need not now 
 enlarge, as no personal injuries were sustained, though several were struck with missiles 
 and sticks. I at once wrote to the Prefect, entering somewhat, though not fully, into 
 detail, as I judged that the note might perhaps be used as an evidence against us, to 
 prove that after all the riot had not been a serious one. The following is a translation of 
 the letter : — 
 
 (Vide Chinese Incldsure 5.) 
 
 "Excuse want of compliments, as matters are urgent. Yesterday evening countless 
 multitudes of people really did assemble at our place to set the house on fire ; happily, we 
 were pitied and saved by our neighbours. [The mob] also destroyed our tables, chairs, 
 and other furniture, and C3,rried oflT cloths, dollars, hair ornaments, &c., to an extent not 
 yet ascertained by us. They severely injured the eye of my countryman, Mr. Reid, 
 beating: many others ; and all this because of "yao-yen" falsely charging me with roasting 
 and eatiog children. J have never made a practice of opening foundling hospitals 
 
8 
 
 [in our stations], and have never purchased a single infant; and yet have suflfered such 
 extraordinary ill-treatment. On what principles can such treatment as this he justified ? 
 I must look up to your Excellency and pray you to decide what is to he done. There 
 are many other things, into which I cannot at present enter ; but with saluation, &c. 
 
 This letter being enveloped and closed, I dispatched it by a messenger to the 
 Prefect ; but it was opened on the way by the Kan-tsuen-hsien, and returned to me as 
 unsuitable. I went to him and pointed out that much as we might regret it, we could 
 not alter the past ; that he was at liberty to deal as leniently as he wished with the 
 prisoners, but that truth must be told. He replied, " If you persist in sending that letter 
 to the Prefect, I will go back and have nothing more to do with the matter. You may 
 protect yourselves as best you can, but I forewarn you that the lives of your party will 
 probably be sacrificed." At his direction, therefore, and almost at his dictation, another 
 letter was written as follows : — 
 
 {Vide Chinese Inclosure 6.) 
 
 •' The people have wantonly spread ' yao-yen ' falsely charging me with opening a 
 foundling hospital, and secretly taking the infants and roasting and eating them, and not 
 knowing that I have never opened any such institution have wantonly maligned me. In 
 consequence, last night an immense mob came and were riotous and law^less in the 
 extreme. The authorities have already taken several of the people, but have not yet 
 punished them. Should the storm again burst forth great will be the injury, and, there- 
 fore, I hope your Excellency will quickly take these prisoners and beat them, and make 
 them wear the cangue before our house, as a warning to the multitude, at the same time 
 putting out proclamations to quiet the people. Thus peace and quiet may be happily 
 attained. 
 
 "With salutations, &c." 
 
 This letter the Chih-hsien took away with him. He promised to make arrangements 
 for our removal from the city, as he said he might be unable to protect us through the 
 night. In the afternoon he engaged four boats, the requisite sedan chairs, and coolies 
 for the undestroyed baggage, and sent us under escort to the south gate, whence on 
 Monday morning we set out for Chinkiang. We had not travelled far when we met 
 Mr. Allen on his way to Yang-chow, who saw for himself the condition of Mr. Eeid, as he 
 did afterwards the state of our house at Yang-chow. 
 
 I have omitted to state above, that the mob on Saturday night were reported to us 
 to have been armed with knives and spears, as well as clubs. 
 
 The amount of our loss I have not yet been able to estimate. On Saturday night 
 the Yang-chow-foo promised Mr. Duncan and myself to make good whatever the loss 
 might be, and to have the house repaired for us. But on the following day the Chih- 
 hsien informed us that we should not be allowed to return to the same premises. 
 
 The premises in which we lived were obtained with the knowledge, and partly through 
 the intervention of Mr. Lay. He procured for us a letter of recommendation from the 
 Taotae of Chin-kiang to the Ohee-foo of Yang-chow, who eventually gave us a sealed 
 proclamation authorizing our residence under Treaty in the city, and we thereupon 
 succeeded in making an agreement for our premises : 200 dollars deposit was paid by us 
 on taking possession, and a regular lease was drawn out and signed by witnesses. 
 That lease has since been recorded in the Consulate at Chin-kiang. 
 
 The members of the Mission present on the occasion of the outrage were as 
 
 Mr. Taylor, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Rudland ; Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Rud- 
 land • Miss Degraz, Miss Blatchley, and Miss Annie Bohannon. Children four — Herbert 
 Taylor, aged 8 ; Frederick Taylor, aged 6 ; Samuel Taylor, aged 4 ; Maria Taylor, 
 
 There were also nineteen teachers and servants (native), male and female, on the 
 premises, together with one child. 
 
 The whole of the foreigners were dressed in native costume. 
 
 During the whole time that the Mission has been stationed at Ya,ng-chow, namely, 
 since the first of June, 1868, every member of it has, to the best of his and her ability, 
 avoided giving the slightest possible cause of offence to any of the people, and has borne 
 with studied patience and endurance any casual insults which may have been offered from 
 time to time. Even our missionary efforts had not commenced in any public shape, but 
 had been entirely confined to personal conversation with visitors to the house. We had 
 no arms or weapons of any kind in our possession from first to last. 
 
 (Signed) J. HUDSON TAYLOR, 
 
 Director, China Inland Mission. 
 
Inclosure 3 in [tfo. 2. 
 Proclamation issued by the Prefect and Magistrate of Yang-chow on recent Outrage. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 A Prohibitory Proclamation. 
 
 THE Prefect and Magistrate of Yang-chow have received the following communi- 
 cation from the English missionary, Mr. Taylor : — 
 
 The people have been disseminating false reports that the missionaries keep children 
 in their house, and secretly boil and eat them, but the people know nothing of the matter, 
 and there is really nothing of the sort done. Last night there was a countless crowd of 
 people [round the house] creating a disturbance ; and I beg that they may be punished, 
 and a proclamation be issued to quiet the populace. 
 
 The Prefect and Magistrate therefore declare that the disorderly proceedings of the 
 populace in the missionaries' house were exceedingly rude and ill-mannered, and they 
 accordingly issue this prohibitory proclamation for the information of the people, 
 forbidding them hereafter.to create any disturbance at Mr. Taylor's house. If anything 
 of the sort occurs, the offenders will be severely punished. Disobey not ! 
 
 The proclamation to be posted in every street. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in ItSo. 2. 
 Note from Chiang Yuan, at Yang-chow, to a Friend at Shanghae. 
 (Translation.) 
 ^ YOU must have received the letter I last wrote you. 
 
 On the 22nd August we had a great commotion (literally, "wave"). The country 
 folks to the number of several thousands burned and completely sacked the houses of the 
 "Western missionaries : these barely escaped with life, and were escorted to Ohin-kiang by 
 the local authorities. 
 
 The cause of this was, that when these missionaries first came a rumour got about 
 that the Tien-chu religionists (Roman Catholics) required men's brains for food. The 
 people of the place were filled with fear and suspicion, and when on the 21st a foreigner 
 was seen to go out of the south gate alone, with a basket, seemingly for the purpose of 
 collecting something, the Magistrate of the Chiang-tu Hsien, was begged to have the 
 place examined. Ten or more children's corpses were dug up, and were found to have 
 been deprived, some of the heart, some of the eyes, and some of the brains. This 
 greatly increased the excitement. (The people) had previously asked the opinion of the 
 most prominent of the gentry. Yeu, formerly Yiceroy of the two Kwang, gave it as 
 his opinion that foreigners were very much afraid of the people, and that these had only 
 to collect together, and beat the foreigners to get rid of them. 
 
 Li Futai, Wu Taoutae, and Pien Taoutae also held the same language. The people 
 were so emboldened that the local authorities dared not refuse to come and examine (the 
 corpses). 
 
 ISTow Yeu was a fellow-student of the present Viceroy's (literally, of the same year), 
 Li was a pupil of the Yiceroy's, and Wu an intimate friend of his father's ; and they 
 are all of one mind. My idea, then, is, that foreigners will not be able again to come to 
 Yang-chow and set up a church ; they will be killed as they come. If they were allowed 
 to come to Yang-chow, salt trade would be much shackled (literally, pinioned by the 
 arms). Some gossip would be sure to reach Peking if anything {scil., wrong) were to 
 be discovered about an affair so nearly concerning us, and no slight consequences would 
 arise. 
 
 What has happened has greatly relieved people's minds ; and no doubt you will also 
 be pleased to hear it. 
 
 Even if foreigners do write to I^anking, the Viceroy will take no notice of their 
 letters, as Yeu and Li will write him their joint views before they do. 
 
 With compliments from your stupid younger brother. 
 
 Dated August 23, 1868. 
 
 (Signed) CHIAJJfG HUAIJI-G. 
 
 Note. — The envelope in which the above was forwarded to the Consulate was not the 
 one in which the letter came from Yang-chow, if it did come from there at all. The 
 address is, " To the honoured uncle on the mother's side," while the letter is subscribed 
 as from a " Yotxnger brother " — a form in use between persons in nowise related to each 
 other, and which a nephew would never use to his uncle. 
 
 (Initialled) W. G. S. 
 
 [143] C 
 
10 
 
 Inclosure 6 in Ntt*. 2. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock, 
 
 Sir, Chin-kiang, September 3, 1 868. 
 
 REFEERING- to my letter dated, the 31st of August last on the subject of the 
 Yang-chow outrage, I regret to have to report that the Viceroy of ]S"anking has been 
 induced by the misrepresentations of the. Chih-fu to excuse himself from deputing an 
 officer to accompany me to Yang-chow. 
 
 A copy and translation of his Excellency's communication on the subject is inclosed 
 herewith, and it will be seen how plausible an account of the aflPair has been forwarded 
 by the Yung-chow officials to Nanking, and to how ingenious a use they have put the 
 letter, which was extorted from Mr. Taylor by the Kan-chuen-hmeu. I have lost no 
 time in endeavouring to disabuse the Viceroy's mind of the false impressions under which 
 he appears to be labouring, and repeating my entreaty in urgent terms that a deputy 
 may yet be commissioned to co-operate with me. A translation of my reply is inclosed 
 herewith. 
 
 I regret to say that symptoms of a similar intolerant spirit are beginning to exhibit 
 themselves amongst the Chinese inhabitants of this port. In June last this same 
 Mr. Taylor rented a house within the walls of Chinkiang-foo, taking care to conduct the 
 transaction in a plain and straightforward manner, and to record the lease, after execu- 
 tion and signature, with Mr. Assistant Allen. The neighbours, however, soon took 
 exception to the introduction of a foreigner, and a pretext was at once got up to cancel 
 the lease on the plea of its having been executed by only one branch of the family without 
 the. consent of the others. The matter thus came to the cognizance of the Hsien, who 
 took the side of the malcontents, and had some of the parties to the lease arrested. 
 (This Hsien is well known as the person who was dismissed from the Hsien-ship of 
 Shanghae by Ting Putai for bribery and other mal practices in April or May of last year). 
 Here Mr. Assistant Allen interfered and appealed to the Ohefu (the Taoutae being absent) 
 whij promised that justice should be done, and that- a proclamation should be issued by the 
 Hsien in accordance with Treaty provisions. The result may be seen in the accompany- 
 ing' translation of a wordy and indiscreet proclamation by the Hsien, which has been 
 most plentifully posted up all over the city. Many persons are of opinion that to the 
 success which attended this effort at a port open to trade may be attributed the burst of 
 ill-feeling at Yang-chow. 
 
 Just at this juncture of affairs T arrived at Chinkiangj and forthwith put myself in 
 communication with the Taoutae. The -proclamation I denounced as mendacious in its 
 statements, and calculated to be most mischievous in its consequences ; and I begged him 
 to lose no time in causing another and better one to be issued in its place, as well as to 
 secure Mr. Taylor peaceable possession of his property. The Taoutae took up the case 
 in aTCry fair spirit; he examined himself into the character of the transaction, and the 
 validity of the lease, requesting Mr. Taylor to appear in person and state his case, and he 
 yesterday called to tell me he had decided that the house belonged to Mr. Taylor, and 
 must be given up to him accordingly. He likewise promised that a draft of a proclama- 
 tion' of a more satisfactory character should be speedily submitted to me. 
 
 The Taoutae left the Consulate about 3 p.m., and appears to have immediately deputed 
 the Chih Hsien to give effect to his decision. For towards dusk yesterday, I am informed, 
 the Hsien having repaired to the spot was mobbed by an immense crowd who protested 
 against the house being yielded up, and on his declaring that it was not his fault, but the 
 Taoutae's, whose commands he was simply carrying out, the mob rushed to the Taoutae's 
 Yam^n, tore down his gates, forced their way into his judgment-hall, smashed some of 
 his furniture, and openly accused him of traitorous collusion with the foreigners. Even 
 the Hsien, I am told, reached his Yamen with his dress all bespattered with mud. The 
 whole town is consequently in a state of excitement, and rumours are at this moment in 
 circulation that this Consulate is to bie the next point of attack this evening. Unfortu- 
 nately the Taoutaes have taken upon themselves to interfere, the house in dispute being 
 situated' next door to one tenanted by one of the officials, and their resistance, as may be 
 presanffed, introduces a formidable element -into the difficulty. 
 
 The' Taoutae has sent a message begging me not to allow myself to be put out, and 
 prt9«i4isEQgi'that he«will endeavour to fulfil his promises, notwithstanding the demonstration,- 
 so' I am in hiopes to be able to carry my point: yet. The anticipated arrival of Her 
 Majesty's ship "Einaldo" this eveBing' or to-miorrow morning wffl tend materially to 
 promote this desiraJble reealt. A successful assertion of Treaty rights here is likely to 
 have a most favourable effect uponr popular feeling at* Yangchow, as the two cities 
 
Ill 
 
 are connected by extensive trading : relations, 'and numerous Yangchow &miliiesif are 
 permanently resident here. 
 
 ;Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No.. 2. 
 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, to Consul Medhurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, September 2, 1868. 
 
 IE reply to your despatch on the subject of an outrage at Yang-chow, requesting 
 me to depute an officer to -proceed to that city and investigate the affair, I have to state 
 that I am in receipt of a representation from the local authorities at Yang- chow, stating 
 that the affair had been brought to a satisfactory conclusion ; and this, corroborated by 
 the facts that certain Consuls resident at Chin-Man^ had proceeded to Yang-chow, and 
 had found the house not to be burnt down, and that in a letter from Mr. Taylor to the 
 local authorities no mention is made of personal injuries having been suffered. 
 
 From your having been at a distance, at Shanghae, you could not have been made 
 acquainted with the aspect of affairs at the time the case was brought to an end ; and I 
 presume that when, on your arrival at Chin-kiang, you have had a personal intervi'ew 
 with the Consuls who went to Yang-chow, you will satisfy yourself that there appears to 
 be no grounds for a second inspection of the locality, and that there is no necessity for 
 me to depute an officer to accompany you. 
 
 I may further remark that your despatch arrived at Nanking on the 30th of AugtiSt 
 between 9 and 11 in the forenoon; and as my officer could not arrive at the time (that 
 day") you fixed, I have not sent him. 
 
 I append copy of the letter of Mr. Taylor to the Yang-chow authoi:ities, for ' your 
 iftformation. 
 
 Note. — The letter alluded to above is the one extorted from Mr. Taylor by the 
 Kan-chuan Hsien, and is No. 6 of those attached to his affidavit. 
 
 Inclosure r7 in No. 2. 
 Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan. 
 
 Sir, Chin-kiang, September 3, 1868. 
 
 I HA YE had the honour to receive your Excellency's reply dated yesterday, from 
 which I regret exceedingly to find that you do not consider it necessary to depute an 
 officer to proceed with me to Yang-chow-foo. 
 
 Your Excellency appears to base this opinion npon the Chih-fu's assertion, to the 
 effect that he has satisfactorily arranged the affair, and likewise upon a copy of 
 Mr. Taylor's letter sent up by the Ghih-fu, in which no mention is made of personal 
 injuries having been sustained. 
 
 Unhappily, the Chih-fu's representation is entirely false. How can the affair be said 
 to be settled when the missionaries' house has been plundered by an armed mob 
 instigated by the gentry; when one of the missionaries has lost an eye ; when two women 
 in a pregnant condition have been so bjuised and terrified that they are in a precarious 
 condition; when aU have been more or less beaten and bruised; when the missionaries 
 have been driven from the city; when the very letter by Mr. Taylor, whitjh your 
 Excellency quotes, was extorted from him under threats of being sacrificed to the fury 
 of the mob ; when placards are even now issued, threatening any foreigner with death 
 who may venture to return ; and when the local authorities, in deference to the people, 
 have designedly construed a case of organized plunder with violence and arson, into 
 one of a simple street brawl? Purely your Excellency's sense of justice and reason, 
 and your knowledge of what is due to foreigners under Treaty, cannot term this state 
 of things a satisfactory settlement ! 
 
 Be this as it may be,. I have to acquaint your Excellency that .1 am now here at 
 Chin-kiang, and am prepared to proceed to Yang-chow with an arnaed escort, if I can 
 procure one, and without if I do not succeed, for the purpose of securing due redress 
 
 C 2 
 
12 
 
 for the outrage which has heen committed ; and I have again to entreat you, forthwith, 
 to depute a special officer to act with me so as to smooth the way to an amicable 
 settlement of affairs. A further persistence on your Excellency's part to refuse 
 compliance with the request will occasion me the more regret, because I foresee, from 
 the aspect of affairs, that the Chih-fu has permitted the popular excitement to reach such 
 a pitch that he will find extraordinary difficulty in retracing his steps, and giving me the 
 redress I shall require. Should this prove to be the result, I shall have no other 
 alternative but to request him to accompany me to Nanking, and there be accused by me 
 to you in person upon most serious charges. 
 
 I may also add that prompt action is essential in this instance, as the success of the 
 attack at Yang-chow has already begun to bear fruit in a very serious disturbance which 
 occurred in this city last night in connection with the same subject — intramural residence 
 of foreigners — an account of which will, no doubt, reach your ears this day. 
 
 (Signed) ' w! H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 8 in No. 2. 
 
 Proclamation of Wang, Magistrate of Tan-tu Hsien. 
 (Translation.) 
 
 WHEREAS instructions have been received by the magistrate from his Excellency 
 the Taoutae to the following effect : — 
 
 I am informed by Mr. Allen, of Her Majesty's Consulate, that the British 
 missionary, Mr. Taylor, has applied for a proclamation to protect him in case of any 
 insult or obstruction being offered him by the soldiers or populace in consequence of his 
 having rented, for missionary purposes, a house forming part of the Pao-cheng house, the 
 private property of Hsia Lii-chih, within the city of Chin-kiang, The magistrate is 
 directed to report whether the landlord applied for his approval, and whether any obstacles 
 stand in the way of the house being so rented : 
 
 And whereas just as the investigation was going on, the widows Hsia (nee Li, and 
 Hsia, n6e Chiang) appeared and stated that the Pao-ch^ng house was the common property 
 of them, and of Hsia Lu-chih, and Hsia Chih-to, that Hsia Lii-chih had mortgaged part 
 of the house, secretly and without telling them, to a Christian ; that they would by no 
 means give their consent, and begged the magistrate to hear and determine the case. 
 The magistrate then had all the parties summoned, when the two women repeated in their 
 evidence what they had stated before, and positively re-asserted that they would not 
 consent to lease their house to a foreigner. Hsia Lii-chih, on being confronted with them, 
 deposed that the house in question was common property, and that in a moment of 
 stupidity he had omitted to consult Hsia (nee Li) and the rest, and had stealthily leased 
 it to foreigners ; that he was ready to return them the deposit he had received and 
 cancel the lease, and allow them to rent another house : 
 
 And whereas by the Treaty the reiiting of houses from foreigners should depend on 
 the mutual willingness of both parties, and this Pao-cheng house property, being the 
 common property of four parties, is found to have been let to foreigners by Hsia Lii-chih 
 secretly on his own authority and Hsia (ne'e Li) and the rest will not give their consent, 
 which they ought not to be constrained to give ; the magistrate has directed the money 
 received by Hsai Lii-chih to be returned to the foreigners who shall be at liberty to rent 
 other premises, and has reported to this effect to his Excellency the Taoutae, for the 
 information of Mr. Allen : 
 
 And whereas his Excellency the Prefect has given the magistrate directions, at the 
 instance of Mr. Allen with reference to Mr, Taylor, to issue a proclamation to the people 
 in the city to induce them to rent houses to Mr. faylor : 
 
 And whereas the Xllth Article of the Treaty directs that British subjects, whether 
 at the ports or at other places, " desiring to rent houses, shall make their agreement at 
 the rates prevailing among the people, without exaction on either side : " 
 
 Wherefore this Proclamation is issued for the information of the inhabitants and the 
 Tipaos. You are to know that from and after the date of this Proclamation, should 
 foreigners desire to rent houses of you, and there be no obstacle or unwillingness on your 
 part, you must make the agreement at the rates prevailing among the people as provided 
 by Treaty, and you must make a true statement of the facts to the magistrate before the 
 transfer is allowed to take place : 
 
 Should you be unwilling to rent to foreigners, you are at liberty to follow your 
 inclinations, and no constraint can be used contrary to Treaty, 
 
 Obey with trembling ! ~Eo disobedience ! A special Proclamation. 
 
13 
 
 Ko. 3. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Lord Stanley. — (Received November 16.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, September 23, 1868. 
 
 WITH reference to Mr. Forrest's despatch of the 8th instant, I have the honour 
 to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copies of my correspondence bearing on 
 the recent outrage on British missionaries at Tang-chow-foo with his Excellency Her 
 Majesty's Minister. 
 
 I lldjV6 &c 
 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in !N"o. 3. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Nanking, September 15, 1868. 
 
 IS continuation of my despatch dated the 3rd instant upon the subject of 
 the Yang-chow outrage and the Ohin-kiang difficulty, I have now the honour further to 
 report as follows : — 
 
 Firstly, as regards Yang-chow, Her Majesty's ship " Einaldo" made her appearance 
 at Chin-kiang on the morning of Saturday the 5th, and Commander Bush at once made 
 arrangements with me for proceeding to Yang-chow on the 7th, accompanied by 
 an escort of about ninety men and a field-piece, in his own boats, towed by a small 
 canal steamer, which Messrs. Jardine. Matheson and Co., of Shanghae, had been so 
 courteous as to place at his entire disposal. As I thought it not by any means impro- 
 bable that the sudden appearance of such a force before the gate of Yang-chow might 
 induce the authorities and people to imagine that we had come with a hostile intent, and 
 thus bring about a collision, I deemed it expedient before starting to forewarn the Chih-fu 
 of our coming, and to explain its object, which I did in a letter, translation of which I 
 have the honour to inclose. 
 
 The 7th September proved to be so rainy that we were compelled to put off 
 our expedition until the following day, but that evening I received two communications, 
 one from the Viceroy and the other from the Chih-sien of Yang-chow, written in the name 
 of the Chih-fu. Copies with translations of both documents are appended. The one, as 
 will be observed, informs me that the "Viceroy had at last concluded upon deputing an 
 officer to co-operate with me, and that he had instructed the authorities of Yang-chow to 
 receive me with every consideration; whilst the other, penned no doubt before the 
 change in the Viceroy's intention had become known at Yang-chow, advertised me, in no 
 civil tone, that the affair had been sufficiently attended to, and that neither my presence 
 nor interference was needed. The very inadequate rank of the officer appointed to 
 inquire with me into the affair is a noticeable point in the Viceroy's letter, as also the 
 accusation brought against the Eoman Catholic Missionaries as having been the original 
 occasion of the animosity entertained by the people of Yang-chow against the Protestant 
 brethren. A similar story to that told by the Viceroy about the excessive mortality 
 amongst the orphans reared by the Roman Catholic Mission, I had already heard from 
 Father Seckinger at Chin-kiang, who further informed me that the malicious reports as 
 to the causes of deaths had been officially contradicted by the local authorities in 
 a public proclamation, so that the people had not that excuse for their violence which 
 the Viceroy pretends to make out. I have also to request your Excellency's particular 
 attention to that portion of the Chih-fu's letter which quotes the reply and instructions 
 received by him from the Viceroy as being unworthy of the character for energy, intelli- 
 gence, liberality towards foreigners, and determination to maintain Treaty rights which 
 is usually attributed to that high functionary. 
 
 The receipt of the two communications above alluded to occasioned no change in 
 my plans, save that of requesting Commander Bush to leave behind him the field-piece, 
 as calculated, perhaps, to be regarded more in the light of a menace than appeared to be 
 expedient. The deputy of the Viceroy had not made his appearance by 7 a.m. on the 
 8th, the time subsequently determined upon for #our start for Yang-chow ; and as the 
 delay in his appointment was attributable to no neglect of mine, whilst more than twelve 
 hours had elapsjed since my receiving official notice of his intended approach, I did not 
 
14 
 
 feel authorized in detaining Her Majesty's ship hy putting off the expedition until the 
 following morning. To have started in the middle of the day was of course out of the 
 question. 
 
 We entered the Grand Canal at its junction with the Yang-tsze at the modern 
 Kuachow, and found it to be a broad fine stream all the way up to Tang-chow, the .depth 
 ranging from 10 to 16 feet. The large number and size of the junks we met and passed 
 showed signs of a busy trafiic. 
 
 We reached our destination about noon, and were tdld that all the oflGicials awaited 
 us at one of the gates. By some mistake, however, we entered by a different gate, and 
 marched through the city by a more busy thoroughfare than that • through which the 
 authorities doubtless had intended to conduct us, a fact which seemed to occasion the 
 Prefect immense alarm, if I might judge by the abject terror depicted upon his counte- 
 nance when he made his appearance at the yam^n. He commenced the conversation by 
 repeating in so many words the exculpations and excuses which had already formed the 
 subject of his letter (Inclosure IsTo. 3), declaring that the populace in their indignation 
 had even published a lampoon upon himself, designating him as " the British Prefect;" and 
 he showed me a placard in corroboration of this statement. I deemed it best not to 
 waste any words in argument, but at once to place in the Prefect's hands a written 
 communication (copy and translation of which I have the honour to inclose), which I had 
 prepared, setting forth all the facts as they had been related to me on oath by Mr. Taylor 
 and his brother missionaries, and stating the nature of the redress which I felt myself 
 compelled to require. I likewise informed him that although the letter did not name the 
 amount of compensation to be made good to the sufferers, I held in my hand a 
 Memorandum of their actual losses (copy herewith inclosed) estimated at 3,128 taels 
 40 mace, and that I proposed to make this sum up to 2,000 taels, so as to include 
 reparation for the loss to Mr. Reid of the sight of one eye, and for the various injuries, 
 more or less severe, received by the other members of the party as well as sundry 
 expenses to which Mr. Taylor has been put, in consequence of his sudden ejectment. 
 
 The Prefect perused the letter very deliberately, merely making deprecatory remarks 
 here and there as he went on, but without directly denying any of my charges. As 
 regards the demands with which the letter closed, he declared his utter inability to comply 
 with that one requiring the seizure and punishment of the gentry whom I had named, they 
 being all men of wealth and influence, and possessed of buttons of far higher rank than 
 his own ; but the remainder he said he was quite willing to concede, provided 1 allowed Mm 
 time to refer to the Yieeroy, in obedience to instructions which he had received to 
 that effect. On my calling for these he exhibited them forthwith, and I thereupon 
 suggested that I should either wait at Yang-chow, pending his visit to Banking, or that 
 he should repair to ISTanking in my company, giving him the option of selecting either 
 course. He preferred the latter, and then, at my request, put upon paper his views in 
 regard to the several demands, and his promise to proceed to S"anking forthwith. The 
 accompanying is a translation of his letter. 
 
 This arrangement having been effected, I proposed to the Prefect that he should visit 
 and inspect Mr. Taylor's late premises in my company. He acquiesced in such a very 
 ready manner as to take me quite by surprise, for I had taken it for granted that the 
 authorities would not care that I should see the evidence of their neglect and delinquency,; 
 and I was aware from Mr. Allen's account, that, when he saw the authorities the day after 
 the ejectment of the mission, they had positively refused to accompany him to the scene 
 of the outrage. As will be seen in the sequel, however, the Prefect had doubtless an 
 olyect in this ofl&cious compliance with my proposition. 
 
 Mr. Taylor's house proved to be but half-a-mile distant from the yam^n, a very 
 significant fact, when considered in connection with the number of hours allowed by the 
 Chih-fu to elapse before he went to the assistance of the missionaries on the night of the 
 attack, as proved by their affidavit. We found the premises nearly cleared of all the 
 wooden partitions, folding doors, windows, &c., so common in native houses ; a wrenched 
 hinge or smashed frame which had been left here and there showing manifest tokens that 
 the removal had been effected suddenly and by violence. The mortar on the walls showed 
 everywhere unmistakeable signs of the rain of brickbats which had compelled the unfor- 
 tunate occupants to flee from room to room for their lives, and a few remaining debris of 
 broken furniture and trunks collected in one or two of the upstair rooms were sufficient to 
 convince us that a plimdering mob had been at work in the house. There were, however, 
 no signs at first sight of any fire having been applied, or any breach having been made in 
 the outer walls ; and it was only upon the fact being pointed out to me by one of the 
 missionaries who accompanied the expedition, that I was able to detect that every breach 
 had been most carefully bricked up and cleverly plastered over, and every trace, of 
 
15 
 
 burning swept up or scraped away. Even the low front wall of the upper story, over 
 wMch the female members of the Mission had scrambled to get out on to the tiles, had 
 been repaired, although the tiles below belied the alteration, by the distinct signs they 
 showed of having been trampled upon in the attempt to escape. I took care to point out 
 all these various vindications of not and after-repair to the authorities present, but they' 
 received my remarks in sulky silence, much more chagrined apparently at having been 
 detected in their efforts to deceive than at the sight of the wreck which their neglect and 
 incapacity had combined to bring about. 
 
 We here left the authorities and returned to our boats, the Prefect pledging himself 
 tostatt early on the following morning with us on our way to l^anking. During our stay 
 in^the city our party was surrounded and followed very naturally by a vast concourse of 
 Chinese, but their demeanour was marked by the utmost quiet and respect, even when 
 the attendants of the Prefect thrashed the front ranks of the gazers with canes in order 
 to make them give way; proving thereby that the plea employed by the Prefect to the 
 effect that the people were beyond his control was entirely without foundation. 
 
 The following morning the Prefect made his appearance in a large mandarin boat, 
 and the whole party left on the down trip. We accompanied the Prefect as far as the 
 mouth of the Grmnd Canal, where we left him in his boat, and proceeded on' board Her 
 Majesty's ship "Rinaldo" at Chin-kiang, promising to take him on board early the following 
 morning on our way up to I^ankingi 
 
 An account of my proceedings at Nanking shaU form the subject of a separate 
 conMnunication*. Meanwhile, I have the honour to bring to your Excellency's notice, in 
 connection with this subject, the very courteous assistance afforded to Commander Bush 
 and myself by Lieutenant de la Barriere, commanding His Imperial Majesty's gun-boat 
 "Le Breton," who was good enough to tow the boats of Her Majesty's ship " Einaldoi" 
 with the escort on board, from Chin-kiang to the moUth of the Grand Canal, and to stay 
 there as a reserve in case of need until we made good our return. Apart from this timely 
 aid, we should have experienced considerable difficulty in reaching our starting-point on 
 the canal, for the "Rinaldo " drew too much water to allow of her reaching the mouthj 
 and the small steamer did not possess sufficient power to tow us thus far. 
 
 As this despatch has- unavoidably <reaehed such a great length, I beg leave, likewise, 
 to defer my remarks upon the affair at Chin-kiang until another opportunity ; and in closing 
 this communication,. I venture to add a hop© that what I have effected so far may meet 
 with your Excellency's full approval. 
 
 I have^ &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 •Inclosure 2 in I^o. 3. 
 
 Cotiswl Medhurst to Sun, Prefect of Ydng-chow-foo. 
 
 gir. ■ Chin-Many, SepteWiber 6,- 1868. 
 
 IT appearing to me expedient that I should proceed to Yang-chow-foo for the 
 purpose ©f having a personal interview with yourself in respect to the outrage committed 
 upon the missionaries Taylor and others on the 22nd ultimo, I have the honour to 
 acquaiirfc you that I propose to carry out the intention in the course of the present 
 
 weefc. 
 
 As placards* of the most inflammatory character have been issued by malevolent 
 persons against foreigners both before and since the outrage, I have thought it necessary 
 to invite Commander Biishj of Her Majesty's- Royal Ifavy, to accompany me with 
 a suitable escort, but you may rest assured, nevertheless, that our mission will be entirely 
 amicable in its nature, our object being simply to secure from the local authorities 
 a reasonable adjustment of the grievawces Mr, Taylor has to complain of. 
 
 I have, &c 
 (Signed) W. Hv MEDHURST. 
 
16 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 3. 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan,.to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 g;i. ' September 6, 1868. 
 
 I RECEIVED a despatch from you yesterday, at 5 or 6 o'clock p.m., to the follow- 
 ing effect. 
 
 I have the honour to inform you, with reference to the assault on Mr. Taylor by the 
 populace at Yang-chow, that I have now received a third representation from the Prefect 
 of that city, in which he states that, on the 24th August, about noon, Messrs. Allen, 
 Canny and Sands (Vice-Consuls of Great Britain, France, and the United States of 
 America), arrived from Chin-kiang, and had an interview with him. They told him that 
 the house which Mr. Taylor had leased had been burned down, but he denied the state- 
 ment, and told them that he had issued a proclamation forbidding the people again to 
 raise a disturbance ; sent away Mr. Taylor, under escort, for a temporary absence, and 
 ordered the Hsien to examine and punish those concerned in the affair. The Vice- 
 Consuls made no remarks in reply, but took the draft of the proclamation away with 
 them. Before returning to Chin-kiang they examined the house in question, and found 
 that, in fact, it had not been burnt bown. 
 
 The fact that the Vice-Consuls had carefully examined the place before their return 
 led me to conclude that the case had been arranged. 
 
 The letter from Mr. Taylor to the local authorities, which you pronounce to have 
 been extorted from him by the Kan-chuan Hsien, would not appear to have been dictated 
 by an outsider. As to the request it contains that the offenders should be cangued, I am 
 informed by the Prefect that he has cangued four men, viz., Hsieh Tseng-fu, Han Tai, 
 J^n Ifa, and Yin Sheh-tsai. 
 
 I have commissioned Chang Kai-chi, Magistrate of Shang-yuan-Hsin, Sub-Prefect 
 in the Grain Transport Department, to accompany you to Yang-chow, and further your 
 wishes to have the matter honestly adjudicated on. 
 
 This outbreak is attributable to the fact that the Frenchmen Seckinger rented 
 a house in an underhand manner, and opened an orphanage there. The deaths from 
 injuries of the children in the establishment being somewhat excessive, the Ching-Tu. 
 Hsien investigated the subject, and the depositions are before me, Li Ti-i states that 
 fourteen corpses had been buried out of the orphanage. Lin Tung-jen states that forty 
 and more deaths have occurred this year, the children dying from ill-treatment by the 
 wet-nurses. The people hearing " daily reports that such things as extracting the eyes 
 and hea-rts of little children took place at the orphanage, had long had their suspicions 
 excited. It was then discovered that very many of the babies had died of injuries, and 
 they were all of the female sex." 
 
 This statement raised a universal outcry of indignation among the people, and 
 though the Chiang-Tu Hsien proved that the deaths were simply from disease, and from 
 nothing else, nothing that officer could do could keep the disturbance down. 
 
 The attack on Mr. Taylor's house is truly detestable, but yet there was ground for 
 the angry feeling. 
 
 I have instructed Chang Kai-chi, now on this mission, vdth reference to the language 
 he is to" hold in order to pacify the public feeling. He is to tell them that though the 
 deaths from injuries were somewhat numerous, there was no such thing as extraction of 
 eyes or hearts from the corpses, and the fault was with the doctors and wet-nurses, and 
 not that of the missionaries ; that the orphanage is wholly the affair of the French Roman 
 Catholic Establishment, and no fault attaches to the English missionaries. By such 
 arguments the Yang-chow people will at once be disabused of their suspicions, and 
 Mr. Taylor's wrongs can be redressed. 
 
 I beg you will be good enough as well to disabuse the people, as to quiet the mind 
 of Mr. Taylor, until such time as the matters can be fully investigated. I shall be happy 
 to meet you at Nanking, at your earliest convenience, to consult on the best manner of 
 bringing about a satisfactory conclusion. 
 
 Sun, Prefect of Yang-chow, at present at Nanking, is ordered to accompany Chang 
 to Yang-chow, and to treat yourself with the greatest consideration. 
 
 You are requested to give your best attention to the above. 
 
■17 
 Inclosrare 4 in No.' 3. 
 
 Sun, Pr^edt trf Yanf-chow;^o Gomul Me&hurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, 'Septetnber ^,m68. 
 
 I AM in receipt of your diespateh of this day's date; stating that (quotes It, ^see 
 Inclosure No. 2.) 
 
 On the arrival of Mr. Taylor at Tang-chow, for the purpose of preaching, a proclaitta- 
 tion was issued for general information. On the 22nd August some female children were 
 BBicretly buried by the Orphanage estaMshed by the E'renchi Missionary, Seehinger 
 (Ohin-chien-san), and many corpses were d.ug up also (? by the Orphanage). J^ow, thete 
 had been rumours floating about among the people, that the eyes and brains had bfeen 
 abstracted from some corpses: the burial '6f these bodies, therefore, cresated general 
 mdignation. 
 
 The people went to Mr. Taylor's house, and raised a disturbance, whidh I, with the 
 magistrates and military authorities, effectually put down. No injuries were caused 'to, 
 nor property stolen from, the missionaries, as may be seen from Mr. Taylor's own letter. 
 The brawlers were captured on the spot, and have been punished ; and Mr. Taylor has 
 been safely escorted to Chinkiang. 
 
 I stated the whole circumstances to Mr. Allen, British Vice-Oonsul, and to the other 
 Vice-Consuls who came to Yang-chow, and paid me a visit ; and I also reported them to 
 his Excellency Tseng, who has given answer as follows : — 
 
 " The British missionaries must not return for several months, for fear of further 
 complications. I will refer the case to the Tsung-li Tamen ; and when the Yam^n, after 
 eonsultation with the Foreign Ministers, informs me that it has came to the conclusion 
 that missionaries really do not abstract brains and eyes, I will myself issue a prodlamation 
 to that effect to the gentry and people of Yang-chow ; after which, the missionaries may 
 return, on receiving intimation that they can do so. They will not then eirperience any 
 annoyance, confidence will be restored between Chinese and foreigners, and no obstacles 
 will remain. But, if before this proclamation is issued, the missionaries go back, under 
 "the mistake that the times are favourable, and irritation arises, it will be too late 'for 
 them to ask that measures may be taken to protect them, or recover their property. This 
 is not only for the best interests of the people, but of the missionaries also." 
 
 His Excellency the Viceroy also states, that he has received your despatch of the 
 27th August (quotes it), and that he had replied to it (quotes the reply, dated 2nd of 
 September.) 
 
 You announce it as your intention to come here in person in a few days ; but I must 
 call your attention to the fact that the matter is at an end. 
 
 The anonymous placards did not contain anything to point out foreigners as the 
 proper subjects of violence. 
 
 Mr, Taylor, according to his Ex:cellency's instructions, must quietly await 1;he 
 decision of the Tsung-li Yamen. I myself am going to Nankin to receive his Excellency's 
 commands in person ; and if you take occasion from this complication to present yoursi^f 
 here, I shall not be able to receive you. 
 
 The people have already been fully instructed as to their diity, by the Viceroy, and 
 the affair is settled ; there is therefore no necessity for your troubling the Senior Naval 
 Officer to accompany you with an escort as you propose, as that might raise suspicions 
 among the people. I have addressed his Excellency in this sense, and now beg your 
 earnest attention to the above. 
 
 JSfote. — The above was written by the Kau-ehiian Hsien (as witness his seal), on 
 account of the absence at that moment of the Prefect at Nankin. Seethe Viceroy's 
 despatch of the same date (Inclosure No. 2.) 
 
 W. G. S. 
 
 Inblosure '5 in No. 3. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Sun, Prefect of Yang-chow-foo. 
 
 gir . Chin-hiang, September 2, 1868. 
 
 THE British missionaries, Taylor and others, lately residing at Yang-chow-foo, have 
 laid before me a formal complaint in regard to their violent ejectment from your city, 
 [143] D 
 
18 
 
 and they have earnestly entreated me, as Consul for this district, to redress the many 
 and grievous wrongs wliich they have sustained, and to secure for theni peaceable 
 possession of their late home, I have likewise received a Report from Mr. Assistant Allen, 
 furnishing me with particulars of his visit to Tang-chow, and interview with yourself. 
 
 I have taken most careful affidavits as to what has occurred, from the lips of four of 
 the principal missionaries concerned. The document is too lengthy to admit of a full 
 version being submitted to you herewith, but the following important facts are clearly set 
 forth therein : — 
 
 1. That the premises which the missionaries occupied were procured with your 
 knowledge and consent, signified by an authorization under your seal, and with the 
 approbation, moreover, of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul at this port, with whom the 
 lease has been duly recorded, 
 
 2. That ever since the missionaries first took up their residence within the city, they 
 have been entirely innocent of any offence against the people, either by word or act, and 
 that they have even borne with exemplary endurance, insults and assaults to which they 
 have been subjected from time to time, rather than hurt or annoy a single individual. 
 
 3. That the charges made against them, of stealing and doing away with infants, 
 are not supported by the slightest evidence, but have been got up and spread abroad by 
 malicious persons for the express purpose of defaming their character and setting the 
 people against them. 
 
 4. That the gentry are known to be the authors of the reports and inflammatory 
 placards which led to the outrage, the names of the principal men being Yen Fuan-shu, 
 Pien Pao-shu, Li Pao-fu, and Wu Wen-hsi. 
 
 5. That the missionaries brought the placards to the notice of the local authorities 
 in repeated and courteously-worded petitions, begging that precautions against an 
 outbreak might be taken, and due protection afforded ; and that the local authorities 
 evaded their representations, and took no pains to act upon the missionaries' entreaties, 
 although many days elapsed before the placards took effect, 
 
 6. That at length, when the attack upon the Mission premises took place, on the 
 evening of the 22nd of August, and Mr. Taylor and another escaped to the Chih-fu's 
 Tam^n, and earnestly entreated assistance, they were, knowingly and purposely, detained 
 two hours before any movement was made in their favour, while prompt action would 
 have saved the house and property. 
 
 7. That the premises were set fire to in several places, and eventually forced in and 
 plundered. 
 
 8. That the attack was made by a mob armed with spears, knives, and clubs. 
 
 9 . That the attack was so violent, that women and young children had to be cast out 
 of the windows to save their lives, two of the women being at the time in a pregnant 
 condition. 
 
 10. That while the women were thus endeavouring to escape, bricks and flaming 
 brands were hurled at them at them to drive them back. 
 
 11. That one of the missionaries has lost an eye, that the pregnant women are now 
 lying in a precarious condition, and that the majority of the party have been more or 
 less hurt and bruised. 
 
 12. That, after a guard of soldiers was sent on the night of the 22nd, it was again 
 withdrawn, so as to admit of the return of the mob to their work of devastation the 
 following morning. 
 
 13. That on one of the missionaries framing a truthful letter to the Chih-fUy 
 earnestly representing the frightful pass things had come to and claiming redress, the 
 Kan-chuan Hsien cruelly and wickedly threatened him with being left to the mercy of 
 the mob unless he so described the affair as not to make it appear a "chiang-an," or a 
 case of plunder with violence, and thereby succeeded in extorting from him a second 
 letter for presentation in place of the first, which utterly misrepresented the facts 
 characterizing the case as one of simple " tsao-nao " or brawl. 
 
 14. That, eventually, after the house had been plundered and the tenants ejected at 
 the risk of their lives, the local authorities failed to give them protection in the Yam^n 
 and reinstate them, but sent them away in charge of a guard to Chin-kiang. 
 
 15. That, after they had been sent away, the Chih-fu, supporting the irregular 
 action of the Hsien, issued a proclamation characterizing the outrage as a simple 
 disturbance. 
 
 Such are the facts of the case, and they prove that the local authorities have been 
 guilty of closing their eyes, in spite of repeated petitions and warnings, to a diabolical 
 plan to murder and rob mnocent foreigners, and afterwards of combining to misrepresent 
 the nature of the crime committed. The facts further prove that the gentry have been 
 
19 
 
 guilty of instigating the inhabitants to commit plunder, arson, and violence upon a 
 number of peaceable, inottensive men, women, and children. 
 
 The conduct of the Chih-fu and Chih-Hsien I must lay before his Excellency the 
 Viceroy, as well as before my own superior, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, for 
 adjudication and punishment, according to the laws pertaining to such official derelic- 
 tions of duty. 
 
 The conduct of the gentry and people it is for the local authorities to punish 
 according to the laws provided in such cases. 
 
 To this end I have to request the Chih-fu forthwith to seize the persons of those 
 whose names I have hereinbefore given, as well as any others who are known to have 
 taken an active part in the affair, and to punish them according to the law provided for 
 in cases of combining to plunder with violence. Should any of the culprits be members 
 of the belted gentry, whom it is beyond the power of the Chih-fu to issue a warrant 
 against, I must require him to report their names to Ms Excellency the Viceroy for 
 degradation and punishment. » 
 
 I have further to call upon the Chih-fu to comply with the following requisitions : — 
 
 1. That a sum of 2,000 taels shall be paid to me for distribution amongst the 
 sufferers as compensation ; 
 
 2. That their house shall be restored to its original condition ; 
 
 3. That a proclamation shall be issued informing the inhabitants that the perpe- 
 trators of the late outrage must be punished according to law ; that British subjects shall 
 be at liberty to reside and rent houses at Tang-chow according to Treaty provisions; 
 and that any persons interfering with or molesting them shall receive condign punish- 
 ment. 
 
 4. That a copy of the above Proclamation shall be inscribed upon a stone tablet, 
 which shall be erected upon the spot where the missionaries have been ejected. 
 
 5. That an invitation by letter or deputy shall be sent to the missionaries requesting 
 them to return to their houses. 
 
 6. That all persons of every kind who have been imprisoned in consequence of their 
 alleged connection with the missionaries shall be forthwith released. 
 
 The above facts, and the requisition rendered necessary in consequence thereof, I 
 now place by letter and in person before the Chih-fu, and I trust he will be able to 
 favour me with a favourable reply forthwith, so as to avoid any further and disagreeable 
 
 complications. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHCJRST. 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No. 3. 
 
 Memorandum of claims by the members of the China Inland Mission for losses sustained 
 at Yang-chow-foo on Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd days of August, 
 1868. 
 
 Surgical instruments, and medieal and other books 
 
 House injuries 
 
 Purniture, &c. 
 
 Bedding-clotliing 
 
 'Watch and concertina 
 
 Sedan-chair 
 
 Sundries 
 
 Miss Degraz's property 
 
 Miss Blatchley's ditto 
 
 Mr. Duncan's ditto 
 
 Mr. Williamson's ditto 
 
 Mr. Eeid's ditto 
 
 Mr. Eudland's ditto . . 
 
 Native teachers and servants, in all 17 persons 
 
 Clothes, furniture, &c. 
 
 ^ 43 
 438 
 
 327 
 70 
 70 
 
 158 
 40 
 12 
 53 
 
 124 
 18 
 86 
 83 
 67 
 22 
 
 c. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 481 
 
 Or, 1,128 taels 40 mace. 
 
 1,612 
 
 I, James Hudson Taylor, hereby declare upon my honour that the foregoing account 
 faithfully represents the value of the losses severally sustained by the members of the 
 China Inland Mission in consequence of the late outrage at Tang-chow-foo, so far as 
 ascertained at the present date; also that I am prepared to substantiate the account 
 
20 
 
 by deteUed statements if necessary., I likewise hereby certify that I have undertaken to 
 make good the claims of the teachers and servants in full, and that I have already paid 
 
 alioiut.2G9* dollars: to them on account. „^^^o, ^^.-r m a ^jt n.n 
 
 (Signed) J. HUDSOIif TAYLOK. 
 
 Qhin-hiang, September 5,. 1868. 
 Witness to signature : 
 
 (Signed). W. H. Meadows, Consul. 
 
 Inclosuce 7 in ^o. 3. 
 
 Sun, Prefect of Tang-chow, to Mr. Medhurst. 
 
 (TianslaAion.) 
 
 gjjn, September 8, 1868. 
 
 I AM in receipt of your despatch dated September 2,- in which you require the 
 arrest o£ the; gentry concerned in the outrage on Mr. Taylor; and also, 1st, compensa- 
 tion.; 2ndly, restoration of the house to its original state ; Srdly, the issue of a Proclama- 
 tion announcing the severe punishment of the offenders in this case, the right of British 
 subjects by Treaty to rent houses^ and live at Yang-chow, and the liability to punishment 
 of eviery one who molests British subjects ;- ithly^ the inscription on stone of the aforesaid 
 Proclamation to be placed before Mr. Taylor's house ; 6thly, the invitation by letter or 
 deputy to the missionaries to return ; and, 6thly> the release of all who have been impri- 
 soned! on account of this case. 
 
 With reference to the arrest of the belted gentry, I must state that I have not the 
 reqxiisite authority to enable me to satisfy you, and with respect to the other demands, 
 though they contain nothing which I could not comply with, I am under the necessity of 
 refendngj to his Excellency the Viceroy,- as he has ordeMd me so to do, and I propose 
 accordingly to accompany you to ISTanking for this purpose. 
 
 InclbsTire 8nn !N"o; 3. 
 Consul Medhurst' ta Sir R'. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Chin-kiang, September 17, 1868. 
 
 I^ my despatch dated the 15th instant, on the subject of the Tang-chow outrage, 
 I carried my narrative of proceedings up to the incident of my return to Chin-kiang on 
 the 8th instand, after having visited Yang-chow. I have now the honour to resume it at 
 that point for your Excellency's information-. 
 
 On landing at Chin-kiang, I found the Viceroy's deputy, Chang-Chihsien awaiting 
 m%.I had an interview with him forth withy when I detailed to him all that I had seen 
 audi done at Yang-chow He pressed me earnestly to return thither again in his 
 company, so as to enable him to carry out his instructions, but I was compelled to 
 decline, as I did not see that any good was to be obtained by a second visit, and as it 
 was naturally an object with me not to detain Her Majesty's ship any longer than was 
 imperatively necessary. 
 
 I took him, however, to see Mr. Taylor's party in order to afford him the opportunity 
 of questioning them in person, which he did very minutely. Before taking leave I 
 succeeded in persuading him to accompany me to B^anking in Her Majesty's ship, and 
 we parted on the understanding that he was to repair on board the following morning. 
 
 When the "Einaldo" prepared to weigh at the appointed time on the 9th, we 
 looked in vain for Chang-Ohihsien, and having waited half-an-hour we eventually started 
 without him. I was informed afterwards by Mr. Assistant Allen, whom I had instructed 
 to see Chang off, that he did leave the shore for the purpose of joining us, but that 
 pretending to be alarmed at the ^' wind and tide,-' although, the morning was a calm one, 
 he had ordered his boatman to put back. 
 
 We reached our rendezvous with the Chih-fu of Yang-chow in the course of an 
 hour, and sent the small steamer in for him, as had been arranged on the previous day. 
 But he too proved false, he having left, we were told, an hour earlier for banking; we, 
 therefore, proceeded on our way, and arrived at ^Nanking the same evening. 
 
 The Viceroy readily acceded to my request for an interview, and I called upon him 
 on the following morning. He received me with more than customary state, and seemed 
 inclined to be friendly ; but I fdund it exceedingly difficult to rouse his peculiarly 
 impassive and sluggish nature to that appreciation of the serious importance of my object 
 
m 
 
 which I could have wished toiseev eshibiteds, It vvas. only after pressing my case again 
 and.- again upon his notice > with:' much patience- and. earnestness^ that I succeeded in 
 wresting from him a pr.omise that I should. have reasonable redress within the next day or 
 twOi and that his decision shouid be communicated to me in writing, I gathered from his 
 remarks that the caseihad. been entirely misrepresented to him by the Chih-fu of Yang- 
 cbow.; He had; not heen infoianedithat any injury had been, received by any member o£ 
 the missionary party, or that they had lost any portion of their property. ]S"either had 
 hojbeen furnidied with copiesoftha repeated appeals made by Mr. Taylor to the Chih-fu 
 amd the replies, thereto, or of the two letters which gave evidence of the compulsion used 
 towards Mr. Taylor by the Kan^chuen-hsien. I carefully pointed out all these facts to^ 
 him as prima facie proof of the culpability and mendacity of the local authorities, and my 
 representation seemed at the moment to attract his attention. But he persisted eventually 
 in. falling back on his original promise, and I was compelled to leave the subject there for 
 the time being, and to address him on other matters which I had in hand. 
 
 Just before leaving the Yamen we discovered that, the runaway Prefect of Yang- 
 chow had that moment made his appearance. I begged the Viceroy to let him come in 
 and answer for himself before me, but his Excellency refused, on the plea that a war of 
 words might ensue which had best be avoided. 
 
 Kfeithitog: further transpired until the same evening when the Taoutae of Ohin-kiang, 
 who happened to be at Nanking in connection with the Chin-kiang troubles, called on 
 board, the " Bdnaldo," charged with a message from the Viceroy to myself. He staid 
 about two. hours, endeavouring, to coax me into, a consent to forego all further action, 
 provided the Viceroy gave a charitable gratuity to Mr. Taylor of the sum, of 1,000 taels, 
 andihCeUrged the very handsome reception with which I had been favoured in the 
 forenoon as a cogent reason why I should on my part treat the Viceroy with all the 
 consideration possible. I deemed itrmy duty to turn a deaf ear to this overture, but the 
 very anxious tone in which it was urged leditt,e, to in.dvijge a hope that the Viceroy was 
 inclined toward concession, and that I might look for a favourable answer on the morrow. 
 Most unfortunately,, justiat this juncti;rij,Coinjnander Bush, who had been ailing for 
 some days, fell so seriously ill that he was compelled to return forthwith to Shanghai,, 
 and he very naturally signified his intention to take his ship with him. It was out of the. 
 question^ of course, that I should + accompany Commander Bush, so I removed into a 
 friend's house-boat which happened to be on the- spot, and hired a Chinese boat for the 
 accommodation of Messrs. Stronach and Allen, and, the Chij[V6-S6 writers. 
 
 On the morning of the 13th, instead of the formal reply which I had been led to 
 expect from the Viceroy, there came a note from the Chin-kiang Taoutae, a translation 
 of which I have the honour to inclose, simply stating, that he had been charged to inform 
 me that his Excellency had been pleased out of his charity to confer a gratuity of 1,000 
 taels upon Mr. Taylor, and had instructed the Taoutae of Shanghae to hold that sum to 
 my order. No allusion whatever is made in the note to the redress or compensation for 
 which I had asked. I forthwith addressed a reply to the Viceroy direct, thanking him 
 for his benevolence to my suffering countrymen, but inquiring what course he proposed to 
 adopt as regards ordering redress and^ compensation, to, bja.,a£Ciu:ded by the authorities of 
 Yang-chow-foo . 
 
 In the hope of expediting matters, I sent a messenger in early on the following day, 
 the 14th, asking for a second interview. An answer came from the Chin-kiang Taoutae 
 late that evening to the effect that the Viceroy had just received news of his proposed 
 translation to the Viceroyalty of Chihli ; that he was too busy to see me ; and that the 
 Taoutae had been instructed to hand me a final communication on the subject of Yang- 
 chow, which he doubted not would render a further interview needless. 
 
 I inclose a copy and translation of the communication so delivered to me, and I 
 doubt not that your Excellency wiU concur with me in regarding it as conveying a most 
 unsatisfactory solution of the question at issue. Although the letter is evidently 
 intended to discourage all further correspondence as far as I am concerned, I have 
 ventured to reply to it by pointing out, in the plainest language which I could employ 
 consistently with the courtesy due- to so high a functionary, the various points in which 
 I conceive his decision to be wanting in that reason and justice which he so authorita- 
 tively claims for it ; and I trust that the tone and tenor of my communication, a 
 translation of which I have the honour to inclose, may have your Excellency's approval. 
 
 It only remains for me now to submit the whole case for your Excellency's superior 
 judgment and authority. I can call' to mind, out of my experience of British relations 
 with China, scarcely one instance in which the outrage complained of has been more 
 unprovoked on the part of the sufferers, and in which the evidence of neglect and 
 culpability on the part of the local authorities has been more marked and incontro . 
 
22 
 
 vertible. Few cases can have occurred, moreover, in which the power to grant prompt 
 and reasonable redress was more within the reach of the supreme provincial authority. 
 I sincerely trust, therefore, that I am placing in your hands for adjustment a case in 
 which our grounds of remonstrance may be pronounced radically good ; and that if you 
 will find yourself able to secure for it from the Supreme Government at Peking that 
 attention and justice which I conceive the serious importance of the general interests 
 involved must demand. 
 
 In closing these Reports of my proceedings in connection with the affair at Yang- 
 chow, I beg to bring to jour Excellency's notice, with a view to acknowledgment, if 
 necessary, to Her Majesty's Naval Commander-in-chief, the prompt and valuable 
 assistance tendered to me in my efforts to obtain redress by Commander Bush, E.N., 
 comrnanding Her Majesty's ship " Rinaldo." But for his sudden and unfortunate illness, 
 1 believe that he would have supported me by his presence up to the last, and possibly 
 helped me to secure a somewhat more satisfactory termination to the negotiation. I also 
 am doing but simple justice to Mr. Stronach in stating that his assiduity and accuracy in 
 translating both into and from Chinese proved of the utmost service to me throughout 
 the whole of the lengthy and troublesome correspondence which has to be conducted. 
 
 I ll£tVG &C 
 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 P.S. — I find that I have omitted to inclose in its proper place translation of a letter 
 which I addressed to the Viceroy the evening after I saw him, on the subject of the 
 condition in which I found Mr. Taylor's premises when I went there. 
 
 W. H. M. 
 
 7:Inclosure 9 in l^o. 3, 
 
 Tsai, Taoutae of Chin-hiang, to Consul Medhurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, September 13, 1868. 
 
 I AM commissioned by his Excellency Tseng to express to you his deep com- 
 miseration at the losses caused to Mr. Taylor by the populace at Yang-chow having 
 mistakenly destroyed his property, and also at the wound received by Mr. Eeid on his 
 right eye. His Excellency proposes charitably to bestow the sum of 1,000 taels to meet 
 the expenses required to replace Mr. Taylor's property and to cure Mr. Eeid's eye. 
 His Excellency has ordered the Shanghae Taoutae to hand you this sum for distribution 
 on your return to that port, 
 
 I beg you will take this as an intimation of his Excellency's intention. 
 
 I am also ordered to return the copy of the correspondence which passed between 
 the Yang-chow authorities and Mr. Taylor. 
 
 Inclosure 10 in No. 3. 
 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 gjj. September 14, 1868. 
 
 I AM in receipt of your despatch of the 11th instant, relative to the Yang-chow 
 case, in which you state that you had requested the Yang-chow Prefect to attend upon 
 me, and begged me to order him to submit for my perusal a despatch you had handed 
 him on the 8th. (N.B.— Dated 2nd.) 
 
 I have also possessed myself of the contents of your letter, received this day, in 
 which you express yourself very much obliged by a bounty of 1,000 taels, and state 
 that you await information as to the demands set forth in your despatch to the Yang- 
 chow Prefect — ^namely, the degradation of the belted gentry who instigated the outrage, 
 the inscription of a proclamation on stone, and the compensation for personal injuries 
 and loss by destruction and robbery of property. 
 
 The Prefect of Yang-chow has supplied me with a copy of your despatch to him. 
 
 1 must point out that I deputed Chang, Magistrate of Shang-yiian Hsien, to assist 
 you in your examination of the place at Yang-chow, at your own urgent request twice 
 repeated ; — ^your precipitation in coming to see me at Nanking without having investi- 
 gated the ease with Chang cannot, therefore, be considered as other than a breach of 
 
23 
 
 faith. I granted you the interview solely in consideration of the friendly relations which 
 have subsisted for some years. 
 
 The gentry were not implicated in the annoyance mistakenly caused to Mr. Taylor 
 by the populace ; it was brought on by suspicions among the people who know no better, 
 and these suddenly changed to rage on account of the excessive number of deaths (at 
 tbe Orphanage). The gentry whose names you give are of high rank, have always acted 
 as becomes their position and experience, and would never wittingly desire to act 
 contrary to a Treaty made by their Sovereign. I can, therefore, take no action with 
 reference to this demand. 
 
 As to the proclamation desired, the Yang-chow Prefect will submit for my correc- 
 tion the draft of one before issuing it. 
 
 There is no necessity for engraving this proclamation on stone. To ensure ^ts, 
 preservation for any length of time it will be sufficient to have it placed on a boar '^ gf 
 wood which can be exposed during the day for the information of the gentry and people, 
 and taken in at night. 
 
 With reference to the value of the property lost and destroyed, anr"^ the medical 
 expenses, I have determined to forward through the Shanghae Taoutae to you a bounty 
 of 1,000 taels for distribution among the missionaries, which wiVi be considered as 
 meant for replacing their lost property and the expenses of curing their wounds. 
 
 The Prefect of Yang-chow did not, at the first, commit an infraction of Treaty ; 
 there is, therefore, no call to report him to the throne for punishment, 
 
 I have directed that officer to return to Yang-chow ; to restore the missionaries' 
 house to its original condition ; and to issue a proclamation informing the inhabitants 
 that the offenders in this case have been punished by the cangue as a warning, that 
 British subjects have the right by Treaty to rent houses and reside in Yang-chow, and 
 that any person molesting or interfereing with British subjects will immediately be 
 arrested and punished severely. Mr. Taylor is to be invited to return to his house 
 within a period of two months. The Prefect will also direct the Magistrate at once to 
 release aU persons who are in confinement through being implicated in the case 
 innocently. 
 
 I have already stated to you at the interview the general bearing of the above 
 remarks, and also sent Ts'ai the Ohinkiang Faotai to explain my views more minutely 
 in person. They appear to be reasonable and just. 
 
 I earnestly hope that the relations of Chinese and foreigners may remain peaceable, 
 and that the sUly populace may not cause further disturbance. 
 
 I have addressed the Tsungli Yam6n on this subject, and now communicate this, 
 despatch to you as a close to the case. 
 
 An important despatch, &c. 
 
 Inclosure 11 in No. 3. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy, Ts^ng Kwo-fan. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, September 18, 1868. 
 
 I HAYE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter, dated 
 tbe 14th instant, signifying the decision which you have come to in the matter of the 
 Yang-chow outrage. 
 
 I observe with great regret that the contents of your letter in no way bear out the 
 promises of a speedy and reasonable adjustment which your Excellency so distinctly 
 pledged yourself to on the occasion of our interview of the 11th instant. 
 
 YDur Excellency states it as your belief that the gentry whose names were indicated 
 in my letter to the Chih-fu of Yang-chow, could not possibly from their position and 
 experience have been guilty of inciting the people against the missionaries. Such may 
 be your Excellency's opinion, but I think that if you were to institute an honest inquiry 
 on the spot, into all the circumstances of the case, you would discover that your opinion 
 is not founded on fact. It was and still is very generally reported at Yang-chow that the 
 persons I named were at the bottom of the entire movement, and I am told that repeated 
 meetings have been held, both before and since the outrage, by them and others, in one 
 of the public buildings of the city to concert plans for the permanent ejectment of the 
 mission. One influential man, whose surname the Tepao gave as Ko/ was actually 
 observed amongst the mob inciting them on, and he went so far as to lay hold of th6 
 coat of one of the missionaries, and shake him furiously whilst venting the most angrjr 
 and foul invective against him. So long as the conduct of such deliberate disturbers of 
 
m 
 
 the 'peace is allowed to pass by unptnrishied, there can be no security against ^e 
 recurrence at Yang-chow, or any other locality of evils, such as that for which I am now 
 seeking redress. 
 
 As regards the proclamation, the 'draft erf which your Excellency has desired the 
 Prefect to submit for your inspection, you do not inform me whether it is to be bas^ 
 Upon the draft with which I have already furnished him. If this is not to be the case T 
 think it but fair that an opportunity should be afforded me likewise for examining- lit 
 before it is conclusively issued, otherwise I shall be unable to judge in how far that 'item 
 of my demands has been satisfactorily complied with. 
 
 Your Excellency's remarks on my fourth requisition, namely, that 4he proclamation 
 should be engraven upon stone, shew at any rate, that your Excellency concurs with me 
 in the opinion that the perpetuation of the proclamation would be desirable. Why then 
 ca\'il as to the method of effecting this ? Stone is constantly employed by the Chinese 
 authorities in perpetuating the most common cautions and prohibitions where permanent 
 promulgation is an object. It was but reasonable, therefore, that in an important matter 
 like the one under consideration, affecting nothing less than the safety of life and 
 property, I should ask for a commemoration by inscribed tablet. 
 
 The next point touched upon in your Excellency's letter is that of compensation for 
 losses and injuries sustained. When the question of a gratuity of 1,000 taels out of 
 your Excellency's own means was first hinted to me by your messenger, the Chin- 
 kiang Taoutae, I told him distinctly that if given as a charitable contribution to 
 Mr. Taylor or his Mission I could have no objection to receiving it on puch behalf, but if 
 it were to be intended as a substitute for the compensation which I had formerly aisked 
 for, I could not think of taking it. That officer's note of the 13th instant, announcing 
 the gift of the above mentioned sum, gave me to understand that the former of the two 
 objects was intended, and accordingly I expressed my high appreciation of your 
 benevolence, l^ow, however, it seemed that the gratuity is meant as a sort of com- 
 promise of the demand in the shape in which I put it before the Chih-fu, and such being 
 the case t have no alternative but to refuse it positively. As I look at the. matter, tl^ 
 missionaries are entitled to compensation, or they are not. If they are not, they ought 
 to receive nothing ; If they are, the amount stated by me verbally to "the Chih-fu (as 
 per memorandum appended) ought to be accepted as the basis of adjustment, until it is 
 proved unreasonable or excessive. It is neither courteous nor just on your Excellency's 
 part thus to attempt to press upon me, under the cover of a charitable gratuity, any less 
 amount which you may arbitrarily decide upon as sufficient. 
 
 Your Excellency's observations as to the culpability or otherwise of the Chih-fu are 
 utterly inexplicable to me. I am not aware that I charged him with any infraction of 
 the Treaty. If you will take the trouble to refer to my letter to the Chih-fu, you will 
 see that I have accused the local authorities of closing their eyes, in spite of repeated 
 petitions and warnings, to a diabolicalplan to murder and rob innocent foreigners ,and 
 afterwards of combining to misrepresent the nature of the crime, committed in order to 
 screen themselves from blame. That they committed these faults there is abundant 
 evidence in the copies of the correspondence with Mr. Taylor, in the violence and plunder 
 that ensued, — in the letter extorted from Mr. Taylor by the Kan-Chiian Hsien, — and in 
 the lenient punishment of the eangue afterwards imposed upon four wretched creatures. 
 I maintain, therefore, that they were clearly guilty of dereliction of duty in the strict 
 official sense of the term, and I am astonished that a functionary of your Excellency's 
 known enlightenment and sense of justice, should seek thus to screen the offenders from 
 the blame just imputable to them. 
 
 It is gratifying to observe, in the next paragraph of your Excellency's letter, on the 
 subject of the readmission of Mr. Taylor and party to Yang-chow, that the Treaty 
 rjght to access to and residence within the city is so distinctly admitted. I am at 
 a loss, nevertheless, to comprehend why two months must elapse before Mr. Taylor is to 
 be allowed to avail himself of the privilege. Had your Excellency ordered the Chih-^fu 
 to comply with my requisition forthwith, merely premising that I should advise 
 Mr. Taylor to allow the existing excitement time to subside before he ventured to return 
 I should have felt that you had some reason on your side. But to attempt to confine 
 the inclinations of the people within the bounds of months and days, appears to me to be 
 sinaply absurd. 
 
 The release of all the native prisoners innocently implicated in this unfortunate 
 affair had already been promised me by the Chih-fu when at Yang-chow, so that the 
 single concession which you have thought fit to make, loses much of its value. 
 
 I have only further to remark, in respect of your Excellency's observation that I 
 have not kept faith in the matter of the deputy you sent to meet me, that the insinuation 
 
25 
 
 is entirely unmerited. The delay in his appearance was, as you are aM'are, in no way 
 attributable to any fault of mine, and when I saw you I took care to explain how it cam6 
 about that he missed me at Yang-chow, and was unable to accompany me afterwards to 
 Nanking. Had your Excellency felt then that I had acted in bad faith, why did you not 
 mention your suspicions to me at the time, instead of introducing it into an official 
 despatch after I had left you ? 
 
 I am not sorry to observe that your Excellency has furnished the Tsungli Yamen 
 with a copy of your communication. Copies of this reply, and of all tlie papers relating 
 to the outrage, will also no doubt reach that department through Her Majesty's Minister, 
 and I confess that I shall be very much surprised if they treat the subject with the 
 so-called reason and justice which it has received at your hands. 
 
 Few can wish more than I do that peaceful relations may always exist between the 
 Chinese and foreigners. Your Excellency must be aware, however, that nothing is more 
 calculated to bring about the very opposite effect, than a failure on the part of Chinese 
 officials to restrain and punish the people wlien they show any propensity to over-ride 
 Treaty privileges and obligations, in an insane desire to indulge antiquated and ridiculous 
 prejudices. 
 
 I have &c. 
 (Signed) ' W] H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 Inclosure 12 in No. 3. 
 Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan. 
 
 Sir, "Rmaldo" September 1.1, 1868. 
 
 REFERRING- to the cases of the late outrage at Yang-chow, I must beg your Excel- 
 lency to call upon the Chih-fu of Yang-chow, whom I duly requested to present himself 
 before you to-day, to place before your Excellency the letter which I have addressed him 
 dated the 2nd instant, and to command him to give me the redress therein required. In 
 addition to the facts therein set forth, I beg to call to your Excellency's notice tlie fact 
 that, when I arrived at Yang-chow and examined the premises in the company of the 
 Prefect and other local officials, I found that, although the entire premises showed mani- 
 fest signs of forcible entrance and other violence, all the breaches which the mob had 
 made in the walls had been so cleverly repaired as to have rendered it impossible for me to 
 detect them, had not one of the missionaries' sufferers pointed them out to me ; that all 
 traces of fire had been carefully scraped or swept away, and that all debris of furniture 
 and fittings had as far as possible been removed. Mr. Assistant Allen, who had witnessed 
 the condition the house was in the day after the outrage took place, and who saw it again 
 in my company, can bear witness to the vast difference between the appearance of the 
 premises upon the one occasion from that presented upon the other. The report of your 
 Excellency's own deputy, should he visit Yang-chow, must therefore fail to describe the 
 true state of affairs. 
 
 I also wish to call your special attention to the fact that the local authorities, when 
 requested by Mr. Allen to visit the premises in his company on the first day, persistently 
 refused to do so. Their evidence as to the condition in which the house was left is there- 
 fore not to be depended on. Indeed their whole conduct from first to last has been 
 marked by such culpable neglect and deceit that any statement they may lay before 
 your Excellency must be accepted with considerable distrust. 
 
 (Signed) ' W'. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Lord Stanley to Sir R, Alcocli. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, November 20, 1.868, 
 
 I HAVE to acquaint you that I have received a despatch from Mr. Consul Med- 
 hurst forwarding copies of his correspondence with the Chinese authorities in regard to 
 the recent outrage on British missionaries at Yang-chovv-foo. Mr. Medhurst reports 
 having communicated this correspondence to you, and I have to observe that he appears to 
 have acted with great prudence and firmness in the matter ; and you will convey to him 
 my approval of bis proceedings. 
 
 [143] E 
 
26 
 
 r have to instruct you to press the case in question upon the Chinese Govern- 
 ment. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) STANLEY. 
 
 1^0. 5. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — (^Received November 30.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, September 11, 1868. 
 
 EEFERRING to your Lordship's despatch of the 2nd of May,* it does not 
 seem to me that any new clause of a Treaty is required to give to British missionaries 
 the right they seek of purchasing land, and residing in all parts of the country. Article 
 VI of the French Treaty is perfectly clear on that point, and what is acquired as a right 
 for French missionaries, is equally acquired, by the favoured -nation clause, for the British, 
 as I have recently had occasion to remind the Foreign Board. 
 
 But whether it may be consistent with wisdom or prudence to seek to enforce the 
 right, or practicable to do so in eflFect, having in view the safety of the missionaries 
 themselves, and the maintenance of peace, order, and good government wherever they 
 may elect to settle themselves, is another question. 
 
 The inclosed account of popular violence and hostility manifested in Formosa, and 
 still more recently by the outrage of which a party of missionaries with their" families 
 were victims at Yang-chow, and narrowly escaped with their lives from the fanatic mob 
 led on apparently by the literary and educated classes, which Mr. Consul Medhurst has 
 already reported to your Lordship by forwarding copy of his despatches to me on the 
 subject, raise serious doubts as to the practicability of such establishments in the interior 
 of China for some time to come. 
 
 The Eoman Catholic missions in the interior are not exempt from the same sudden 
 outbreaks of popular hostility ; and I believe one of the chief occupations of the French 
 Legation here, consists in pressing claims for redress, and making reclamations on their 
 behalf. • 
 
 I ll£lVG &C 
 
 (Signed) 'rUTHEEFORD ALCOCK 
 
 Inclosure in !N"o. 5. 
 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Taiwan, Takow Office, July 31, 1868. 
 
 I HA YE the honour to report to your Excellency that the Protestant Mission Chapel 
 in Pi-tow, distant from Takow about six miles, has been a second time destroyed (on the 
 30th instant by the servants of the mandarins of that place. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 No. 6. 
 Consul Medhurst to Lord Stanley. — {Received November 30.) 
 
 My Lord, _ Shanghae, October 3, 1868. 
 
 I HA YE the honour to inclose copies of my despatches, dated respectively the 
 24:th ultimo and 1st instant, to Her Majesty's Minister respecting the late disturbances 
 at Ohin-kiang. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST, 
 
 * Inclosing a letter from the London Missionary Society suggesting that advantage should be taken of the 
 revision of the Treaty with China to insert a clause, conceding to British missionaries the right to reside and to 
 purchase land in all places in the interior of China, as well as at the commercial ports. 
 
Inclosure 1 in !N"o. 6. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 ^i^j Shanghae, September 24, 18G8, 
 
 IN" fulfilment of the promise given in my despatch dated the 15th instant, I have 
 now the honour to continue my narrative of the progress of affairs at Chinkiang, which 
 formed the_ chief subject of a previous despatch dated the 3rd instant. 
 
 The night of the 3rd passed by without the attack upon the foreign quarter which he 
 had been led to expect, thanks to a precaution taken by the local authorities to have the 
 city gates locked and carefully looked to. A curious proof, however, occurred in the 
 course of the day of the timid and temporizing policy resorted to by the authorities in 
 emergencies of this nature. After the attack upon the Yamen of the Taoutae, described 
 in my despatch, the mob repaired to the Yam^n of the Hsien and demanded, upon pain of 
 his having- the exterior of his premises similarly invaded, that 300 blows should forthwith 
 be inflicted upon Hsia-lu-che, the landlord who had let the house to Mr. Taylor. The 
 Hsien, although aware that the matter was being treated by the Taoutae in consultation 
 with myself, weakly gave his consent, and caused the man to be brought before him ; 
 when a mock trial and punishment were gone through the rioters were informed that 
 their wishes had been complied with. 
 
 Her Majesty's ship " Rinaldo " made her appearance, as I have elsewhere reported; 
 upon the 5th instant, and I at once availed myself of her presence to request Commander 
 Bush to call with me, accompanied by a small escort, upon the Tartar General, it being- 
 rumoured that the people of the Tartar quarter were still inclined to be troublesome. 
 My object in visiting the General was to request him to punish a Tartar official who had 
 been mainly instrumental in bringing about the disturbance of the 2nd by laying hold of 
 his neighbour, the landlord Hsia-lu-che, and beating him, I also wished to induce the 
 General to issue a proclamation forbidding his men from interfering with British subjects 
 desiring to rent houses within the walls. 
 
 The Tartar General at first denied the complicity of his subordinate, or of any of his 
 people in the riot of the 2nd, and he pronounced a proclamation as entirely uncalled for 
 under the circumstances. With a little insistence, however, he yielded both points and 
 gave me a copy of the proclamation to take away with me. I inclose a translation 
 of it. 
 
 Just as I was leaving the Yam^n the Taoutae with other civil authorities hurried in, 
 and in an alarmed tone strongly deprecated my having charged the Tartar authorities and 
 soldiers with having been concerned in any riot, declaring positively that not a single 
 Tartar was present on the occasion referred to. This was to say the least of it amusing, 
 for only on the day before the Taoutae had assured me that some of the the Tartar troops 
 were amongst his assailants, and that the Tartar officials were continually occasioning 
 annoyance to the civil authorities by their overbearing and turbulent conduct, and he 
 advised me to address the Tartar General direct, requiring him to keep his men under 
 proper restraint. 
 
 After having seen the General I communicated a copy of his proclamation officially 
 to the Taoutae begging him to issue a similar notice himself, and to inform me when I 
 might place Mr. Taylor in peaceable possession of his hired house. The Taoutae's reply 
 was to the effect that the question of confirming Mr. Taylor's lease and issuing a procla- 
 mation in respect to it had grown into such importance in consequence of recent events 
 that he had determined upon repairing to Ilfanking in person, and taking the Viceroy's 
 instructions upon the entire subject. Meanwhile, in order to quiet the minds of the 
 people*, he had issued a brief proclamation explanatory of the objects of the visit 
 of Her Majesty's ship. I append a translation of this document, M'hich is chiefly 
 remarkable as emanating from a man who prides himself upon having been for some 
 years an attache of Tsung-li Yam^n, and who for a Chinese official possesses unusual 
 intelligence, energy, and appreciation of foreigners. 
 
 I heard nothing more of the Taoutae until I met him at IsTanking, as reported in 
 another despatch, when he showed me a written reply which the Viceroy had, vouchsafed 
 to his representations, and informed me that he had no alternative but to follow out the 
 instructions so received, 
 
 A translation of the Viceroy's reply is inclosed herewith. On examining it, I 
 at once discovered that the fact of a formal lease having been executed in favour of 
 Mr. Taylor by all the members of the Hsia family, and of its having been duly recorded 
 in the Consular Archives, and subsequently pronounced by the Taoutae to me personally 
 as a valid document, could not have been represented by the Taoutae to the Viceroy, and, 
 
 E 3 
 
28 
 
 1 inquired of the Taoutae why these important features of the case had been withheld. 
 He admitted the omission without hesitation, and excused himself bv saying that he 
 had not had the courage to state the whole truth. Under these circumstances I of 
 course declined to receive the Viceroy's decision as conclusive, and the Taoutae 
 eventually entreated me to let the question remain in abeyance until he could see 
 Mr. Taylor at Chin-ldang and consult him as to his willingness to accept the Viceroy's 
 terms. 
 
 Here the matter rests at present. Mr. Taylor, wdiom I saw whilst passing Chin- 
 kiang on my way down, does not appear unwilling to accept another house provided it 
 suits his purpose, and I have advised him," that as the general principle of intramuml 
 residence has been so clearly conceded by the Viceroy, it will be to the interest of the 
 mission to accept any compromise which may be offered by the Taoutae upon the basis 
 proposed, rather than to have the discussion indefinitely prolonged with the chance of 
 failing to secure the coveted house after all. It is not improbable, therefore, that the 
 dispute may be amicably adjusted upon these terms. 
 
 Before closing this despatch I wish to draw your Excellency's particular notice to 
 the great discrepancy observable between the several modes of treatment adopted by the 
 Viceroy in the Yang-chow and Chin-kiang difficulties. In the former grave charges were 
 brought by me against the Ohih-fu and Chihsien, and the facts of the case sufficed to afford 
 abundant evidence that there had been gross dereliction of duty, even according to a 
 Chinese point of view. Yet these functionaries have been pronounced by the Viceroy to 
 have been entirely free from blame, and he has declined to subject them to any punish- 
 ment. In the Chin-ldang case, on the other hand, I brought no accusation Avhatever 
 against the authorities, and the Taoutae was in no way to blame either for the misunder- 
 standing about the house rented by Mr. Taylor, or for the riot which followed ; whilst the 
 Chihsien only carried out the same exclusive policy pursued by the Yang-chow officials, 
 although to a far less reprehensible extent. Yet the Viceroy comments upon the conduct 
 of both functionaries in severe terms, and one of them is only saved from special disgrace 
 by his already having been deprived of his official charge on another account. The 
 inference I conceive to be plain. It is such as to throw grave doubts upon the Viceroy's 
 justice and impartiality, and to lay him open to the suspicion that he has permitted him- 
 self to be influenced by the weight and wealth which the Yang-chow people were in a 
 position to bring to bear in order to screen themselves from blame. 
 
 I venture further to repeat here a suggestion which I have already had the honour 
 to submit in a former despatch from Hankow on the subject of the memorials in regard 
 to Treaty revision, and which recurs forcibly to my mind in connection with these cases 
 of popular prejudice and official obstructiveness. It is that a thorough and extended 
 publication throughout all the provinces by the Supreme G-overnment of our rights and 
 privileges under Treaty is still a desideratum. Although the Convention of Peking fully 
 provides for such a measure, it has never been carried into effect, and it is my belief that 
 until the entire Chinese population, official, literary, and otherwise, is distinctly informed 
 by Imperial proclamation that British subjects are to be acknowledged and treated in 
 a friendly siJirit, and that the compact with the British nation was an Imperial act, it is 
 hopeless to expect that our merchants and missionaries will be regarded as otherwise than 
 objects of contempt and suspicion by the people at large. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) ■ W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 6. 
 Proclamation hy Lien Pu-lung, Tartar General at Chin-kiang. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE soldiers under my command have, as is on record, been prohibited from 
 interfering in any way with the relations between China and foreign countries at 
 Chin-kiang, a place where natives and foreigners come in contact with each other. My 
 soldiers are now prohibited from interfering in any questions raised by the renting 
 by foreigners of houses whether within or without the walls — questions which it lies 
 wholly with the local authorities to deal with in the manner pointed out by Treaty. 
 
 Should any dare wilfully to disobey I will forthwith punish him according to law 
 No lenience will be shown. Be serious ! 
 
29 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 6. 
 
 Proclamation by Tsai, Taoutae of Chin-kiang. 
 
 (Translation.) September 6, 1868. 
 
 CHIN-KIAE'Gr being a port open to foreign trade, there has alwaj'S been a foreign 
 man-of-war stationed here to guard the port. This vessel has just returned, after under- 
 going repairs at Shanghae. The soldiers Mr. Consul Medhurst took with him into the 
 city to-day belonged to it, and the inhabitants have no reason to be afraid. 
 
 This proclamation is issued for the information and guidance of soldiers and people. 
 You are required to pursue your callings in peace, and to refuse to listen to idle stories 
 calculated to arouse suspicion or fear. 
 
 Should any person disturb the public mind by concocting rumours he will be at once 
 arrested, brought to my Yamen, and severely punished. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 6. 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, to Tsai, Taoutae of Chin-kiang. 
 
 (Translation.) September 9, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE received and read your two petitions. 
 
 With respect to the question of allowing religious establishments within the walls of 
 cities, the Tsung-li Yamgn gave their decision on the occasion of a French missionary, 
 during the 4th year of Tung Chih, renting a house at Hwei-chi-hsien, in Chin-kiang. 
 The decision was as follows : — " The erection of religious establishments in the interior 
 has been going on for a long time ; but as, in point of fact, the missionaries are all 
 foreigners, when any land is purchased for religious purposes, the deed of sale should 
 state in so many words that the land is transferred to the public estate of the Eoman 
 Catholic Mission of the place. The purchase of land in the interior by foreigners as 
 their private property being contrary to Treaty, should still be prohibited." 
 
 The deeds issued of late years to French religious establishments in Nankin and 
 Anhuei, have all been conformable to this decision. As Chin-kiang is a port open to 
 foreign trade, and as in Kiang-su and Anhuei the erection of an establishment, and the 
 gift of a public office has been sanctioned, the same rule will apply to Chin-kiang ; that 
 is, the lease of a house for religious purposes within the walls is what ought also to be 
 sanctioned. 
 
 In this case I have no fault to find with you for taking cognizance, according to 
 Treaty, of the lease by Mr. Taylor of the Hsia family's house. 
 
 What is wrong in your conduct is that you, on the repudiation of the lease by the 
 Hsia family, failed to give the proper orders to Wang, Magistrate of Tan-tu-hsien, to 
 bring the case to a satisfactory ending by procuring another house, going hurriedly to 
 Soo-chow instead, while you had promised to Mr. Assistant Allen to give these orders. 
 
 That Magistrate Wang should omit to rebuke the Hsia family for giving^ «, lease, 
 and then repudiating it, and also omit to quash all further source of complication by 
 producing another house, is all the reverse of what was required of him. I need not 
 proceed in my examination of Wang's conduct, as he has already been deprived of his 
 appoiniment for his conduct of another case. 
 
 As your own remissness, though culpable, does not justify removal or report to the 
 Throne, I will not take further notice of your request to be allowed employment else- 
 where. 
 
 Two points in this case ought as a matter of duty to be investigated, and the 
 offenders punished ; first, the illegal conduct of Hsia-lu-chih in leasing away the property 
 by stealth ; second, the conduct of the women in reclaiming against the lease. But to 
 punish the first would arouse the jealousy of the foreigners, and to punish the woman, 
 Hsia (ne'e Li), for her pertinacious preference of the former lessee, would excite the 
 suspicions of the silly populace, and might bring on a commotion. 
 
 In the 5th and 6th years of T'ung Chih, the French missionary Lei concluded the 
 purchase of the Shuang-hang monastery at An-ching (or Yan-king), but as the gentry 
 and people objected to its being turned into a book ofiice, the local authorities (Foo and 
 Hsien) selected a plot outside the city which he might buy for a church, and found 
 another house inside the city to be leased as an ofiice, and the missionary Lei gladly 
 accepted this. Let this plan be followed at Chin-kiang. 
 
 You and the Prefect and Magistrate will rent another and suitable house within the 
 city for Mr, Taylor, and report the result to me. If the fpreigner is not pleased with 
 
30 
 
 this plan, I will consult with Mr. Medhurst when he comes to Nanking, and come to some 
 arrangement. 
 
 The actual transfer of a house rented for religious purposes from a Chinese, if 
 insisted on, must not be allowed to take place before the ^vhole circumstances are 
 reported to the Magistrate. 
 
 Firstly, because the foreign missionaries may not be peaceable, inoflfensive men, and 
 may enter into underhand relations for mutual benefit with bad characters. '.• 
 
 Secondly, evil-disposed persons might sell land under false title deed, and ^the 
 missionaries suffer loss by their purchase. 
 
 Thirdly, this would be strictly according to the course pursued at Shanghae, where 
 land about to be rented must first be reported for inspection before a legalized deed is 
 granted. 
 
 Fourthly, and it also accords with the rule laid dowii in the Huei-chi case, namely, 
 that purchase for a religious establishment only is to be authorized, not for private 
 tenure. 
 
 If these four points be repeatedly pressed on the attention of the Consul and 
 foreigners, they will no doubt give in their adhesion to them. 
 
 You must also explain, for the information of everyone, that the propagation of 
 religion is allowed by Treaty, and that no molestation must be offered to the missionaries. 
 Anyone in future concerned in collecting a mol) or raising a riot shall not be left 
 unpunished, but whoever he be, whether soldier or citizen, Tartar or Chinese, will at once 
 be arrested and punished for the warning of others. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in !N"o. 6. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir. Shanghae, October 1, 1868. 
 
 EEFEREINC to my despatch dated the 24th ultimo, I regret to have to report 
 that my last advices from Mr. Assistant Allen state that the inhabitants of Chin-kiang 
 continued to exhibit a malevolent spirit towards foreigners. The Taoutae has caused a 
 Proclamation to be issued, which is word for word a transcript of the rescript he received 
 from the Viceroy, and which formed Inclosure JSTo. 2 in my despatch above referred to ; 
 but it has been answered by inflammatory placards threatening to burn any house let to a 
 foreigner within the walls, and to treat in the same way the Tamen of any official who 
 may in obedience to the Viceroy's instructions countenance a lease of the kind. I have 
 in consequence represented to Her Majesty's Senior Naval Officer the urgent necessity 
 of there being a man-of-war stationed at the port, at any rate so long as the present 
 excitement continues. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 . " (Signed) W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 No. 7. 
 Lord Stanley to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, December 1, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 11th of September, stating your opinion 
 that no further Treaty provision is required to give to British missionaries the right of 
 purchasing land and residing in all parts of the country. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government trust, however, that in the exercise of such right British 
 missionaries will conduct themselves with circumspection, and, bearing in mind the feelings 
 and character of the Chinese authorities and people, do their utmost to avoid occasion of 
 collision; and , instead of pressing for a recognition of their rights by local authorities, 
 who may be inclined to disregard them, suspend for a time all controversy, and submit 
 their complaint to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking. 
 
 By this course, at all events, the decision of the case would be removed from the 
 influence of local passion and prejudice ; and it will be for Her Majesty's Minister, if 
 satisfied of the propriety of doing so, to insist with the Central G-overnment, as a matter 
 in regard to which the responsibility rests with that G-overnment, that they shall control 
 the local authorities. 
 
 In the same manner, if any unprovoked outrage should be committed on British 
 
31 
 
 missionaries, Her Majesty's Minister would appeal to the G-overnment at Peking, and 
 require that the local magistracy, who may have connived at or instigated the act, shall 
 not only be duly punished, but should also be compelled, out of their own resources, to 
 make ample compensation to the sufferers. 
 
 It would, doubtless, prove a great check on local authorities if, in all cases where 
 the interference of the Central Government has been appealed to with success in behalf 
 of injured British missionaries, notice of the case should be published in the official 
 Gazette, with an intimation that the publication is designed as a warning of the 
 displeasure with which the Government will view any wrong done to such British 
 subjects. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) STANLEY. 
 
 K"o. 8. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — {Received December 6.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, October 12, 1868. 
 
 WITH reference to Mr. Consul Medhurst's despatches of the 27th and 31st of 
 August, the 3rd, 15th, and 24:th of September, and 1st of October, addressed to me in 
 succession, and copies of which he informs me were transmitted direct to the Foreign 
 Office, reporting a series of outrages at Yang-chow offered to a party of missionaries, and 
 similar violence and evidence of hostility at Chin-kiang, I have the honour to forward 
 copies of my replies to the Consul. 
 
 Your Lordship will have seen by Mr. Medhurst's despatch of the 17th of September, 
 that in consequence mainly, I believe, of his prompt and decided action, and the material 
 support afforded by the presence of Her Majesty's ship "Rinaldo," there seemed a fair 
 prospect of full redress for the injuries suffered, and security for the future being 
 obtained, when the sudden resolution of Commander Bush to return to Shanghae with his 
 ship, the only one on the spot, left Mr. Medhurst in a humiliating and helpless position, 
 obliged to take refuge in a house-boat, and deprived of all the moral influence and 
 prestige which the presence of the ship of war gave. The result was precisely what might 
 have been surely anticipated by any one in the least degree conversant with Chinese 
 tactics and character. From that moment all negotiation was at an end, and the Viceroy 
 at Nanking, turning a deaf ear to remonstrances, offered to bestow 1,000 taels in 
 charity, and intimated to the Consul that be was too busy to see him again on the 
 subject. 
 
 So far as I am informed. Commander Bush's ill health was the motive for this 
 sudden removal of the ship, regardless of the injury that must result to the public interests 
 by such a step. Nor am I informed whether Her Majesty's Consul entered any official 
 protest or otherwise took care to make the Commander understand all the injurious con- 
 sequences which would inevitably follow his retreat from, the scene of action at t]je most 
 critical moment for the success of the negotiations. If Mr. Consul Medhurst performed 
 this part of his duty, it will remain for Commander Bush to justify his action in the face 
 of such a protest. I cannot admit that his own ill health, grave or otherwise, was any 
 sufficient justification, since it appears to me that unless he wanted further medical advice, 
 or to be attended to on shore, he was just as well on board his ship in the Yangtsze as at 
 Shanghae, and certainly in quite as good a climate in a sanitary point of view. If, on the 
 contrary, he desired to be on shore, or to have further medical advice at Shanghae, large 
 steamers, with the best accommodation, were almost daily passing, and could have afforded 
 him the necessary facilities for returning without the necessity of taking away his ship 
 and leaving the Consul to certain failure, with the necessity of recommencing the 
 negotiations later, under far less favourable conditions, and with a much greater display of 
 
 force ■ 
 
 This is the necessary result of Commander Bush's action. I must now place the 
 matter in the hands of the naval Commander-in-Chief, Sir Henry Keppel, and call upon 
 him to repair the mischief by sending such a force to the mouth of the Grand Canal as 
 shall enable him, if necessary, to apply effective pressure, both on the local authorities 
 and populace at Yang-chow and on the Viceroy at Nanking, to whom the Consul will be 
 directed again to address himself, and renew his demands for redress, mcludmg the 
 punishment of all offenders, so soon as the Vice-Admiral is prepared to sustam his 
 negotiation, Should the authorities, contrary to my hopes^ prove obstinate and 
 
32 
 
 recalcitrant, I have the strongest conviction the time has arrived when it will no longer 
 be possible to avoid a coUision, and a resort to such determined pressure as shall compel 
 the local authorities to respect and uphold our Treaty rights. They have long shown a 
 great disposition to treat with neglect all complaints, and either to invite or tacitly 
 connive at popular violence and hostility towards foreigners; to the regret i belie\e, ot 
 the Central Government, and, to all appearance, without regard to their instructions. 
 
 This only makes it the more imperative on the Treaty Powders to take the matter 
 into their own hands, and deal decisively with the local and provincial authont.ies._ Ihere 
 is too much reason to fear that the Viceroys of the maritime provinces,^ having now 
 gun-boats and drilled troops under their orders, are puffed up by a false idea ot their 
 irowcr to resist; and however little either the ships or the ill- drilled levies may be worth 
 in conflict with foreigners, they are foolish enough to think they may disregard all 
 Treaty obligations with impunity, and arc even prepared, in the exercise of their quasi 
 independent authority, to run all risks on their own responsibility. Perhaps they 
 calculate that if successful, the Central Government will easily condone their disregard 
 of orders forced from the Tsung-li Yamen by the pressure of foreign Representatives at 
 Peking ; and although I have no certain evidence of insincerity here, it is only too much 
 in accord with all past experience that they should fail in the energetic assertion of their 
 proper authority over the high officers in the provinces, looking to the double chance_ of 
 gaining in the end : that is," if the local authorities are coerced and humbled by a foreign 
 Power, they will for some time to come be less dangerous and troublesome, both to the 
 Government at Peking and to us. If, on the contrary, they prove too strong, and 
 hold their OAvn against any pressure brought to bear upon them, foreign Powers may 
 become less exigeant in regard to the assertion of Treaty rights. In a word, it is 
 to be feared that local and central authorities alike, but especially the former, forget 
 that there is a limit to the longanimity of the most peace-loving Power, and require a 
 repetition of the lesson so often received by their predecessors, which only can be given 
 by steady and determined employment of means of coercion. Whether the seizure of a 
 high, officer at his post, who absolutely refuses to do justice or respect Treaty rights, as 
 in Yeh's case, or some less decisive action may be necessary, must be determined 
 according to circumstances. As regards Yang-chow, it is probable that a simple 
 blockade of the mouth of the Grand Canal, stopping all the junk salt trade — in which 
 the literati, gentry, and local authorities are all deeply interested — would, wathin forty- 
 eight hours, bring them each in their turn, to a due sense of their obligations, and the 
 folly of their attempts by violence to resist our just demands. But whatever be the 
 means, recent occurrences in Formosa, at Yang -chow, and at Chin-kiang, have plainly 
 shown the necessity for decisive action. 
 
 The popular outbreak at Chin-kiang is nothing but an extension of the impulse 
 derived from the seeming success of the violent attacks on inoffensive missionaries at 
 Yang-chow, with which city Chin-kiang is in close sympathy by trading and other 
 nterests. The practical denial of all redress by Tseng Kwo-fan, the Viceroy at I^Tanking, — 
 his contemptuous dismissal of the subject, and refusal to receive Mr. Medhurst as soon as 
 he knew that the latter had been left stranded on the bank by the only ship of war at his 
 disposal, •has of course greatly encouraged the reactionary party, and unless the inclosed 
 requisition on the Senior H'aval Officer at Shanghae be promptly answered by the 
 dispatch of a vessel to Chin-kiang, it is impossible to say where the mischief will stop, or 
 how costly will be the effort we shall be called upon to make to recover lost ground. I 
 cannot help feeling that a heavy responsibility lies upon Commander Bush, whose action 
 in the precipitate withdrawal of his vessel has mainly brought about this untoward state 
 of affairs, the more to be regretted, because it is for the time irremediable. Some 
 ten or fifteen days must elapse before any despatch of mine can reach the Ifaval 
 Commander-in-Chief, who I believe is either at Hong Kong or Singapore at the present 
 moment. I have no doubt that, as soon as he learns from me what is the true position 
 of affairs, he will lose no time in repairing to the scene in person, and that he will 
 promptly take such measures in support of my demands as may be found needful. But 
 his Excellency Tseng Kwo-fan will in the meantime have left Nanking for his new post 
 as Governor-General of the Province, and some weeks must of necessity be lost before 
 any steps can be taken by the Consul to renew his demands, during all which time the 
 local authorities and our most active enemies the literati and gentry will be exulting in 
 a seeming triumph of violence over right, and be all the less amenable to reason or 
 peaceable efforts for redress when the hour for exacting it arrives. This is not the 
 Consul's fault, who was successful as long as he was supported, and only failed when all 
 material force was withdrawn. I think it only due to Mr. Medhurst to say that he 
 showed both energy and good judgment in all his proceedings, and a very laudable 
 
33 
 
 promptitude in grappling with the difficulties of the situation, as well as firmness and 
 moderation in the demands he made for redress. 
 
 As regards any action here, I have twice been in conference with the members of 
 the Tsung-li Yamen. The first time Wen-tagen and Tan-tagen came to the Legation on 
 the 19th ultimo, and while deprecating any foregone conclusions until they themselves bad 
 advices from the authorities on the spot, they admitted without hesitation that, assuming 
 the facts to be as I represented, full redress must be secured, and they agreed to place 
 in my hands instructions to that effect addressed to the Viceroy Tseng Kwo-fan, to be 
 forwarded by steamer with my despatch to Mr. Medhurst. 
 
 On _ the 8th instant, having received Mr. Medhurst's report of the failure of his 
 negotiations from the causes already referred to, and the Prince of Kung's reply to my 
 despatch of the I7th of September, I proceeded to the Yamen, and saw the Prince 
 together with the other members of the Board. After the collapse into which the 
 Consul had been thrown by causes over which he had no control, the one important 
 object I had in view was to reopen the whole question it had been the Viceroy's design 
 to close, by insisting upon an inquiry being instituted at Yang-chow, which should be 
 conducted in concert with the Consul, and by an officer of at least equal rank, with full 
 power under instructions from 'the Yamen, to carry his investigation into the conduct of 
 the Prefect and Che-Hsien, and also the literati and the gentry inculpated. This was, 
 after some discussion as to the discrepancy between the accounts sent by the Viceroy 
 and the Consul, conceded. And having impressed upon the Prince and his colleagues the 
 necessity for a searching and honest inquiry into all the facts with punishment of the 
 offenders whatever their rank or position, together with such security for the future as their 
 punishment could alone secure, in all which they generally concurred, I merely alluded to 
 the similar outbreaks at Chin-kiang, and preceding acts of violence at Taiwan, in Formosa, 
 observed that the same reasoning applied to all. 
 
 I am now waiting for the reply to my written communication sent in the next day, 
 copy of which is herewith inclosed, to write to the naval Commander-in-chief and claim 
 such eff'ective support of the Consul as can alone avail to put a stop to these dangerous 
 examples of popular violence and official connivance, and prevent the tendency of these 
 centres of commotion to widen their sweep until all the places to which foreigners have 
 access become unsafe as places of resort or residence. 
 
 (Signed) ' ETJTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure I in No. 8. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 gxr Peking, September 19, 1868. 
 
 EEPEERI!N'Gr to your despatches of the 27th and 31st of August, and the 3rd 
 instant, I have to inform you that the Tsung-li Yamen have assured me justice shall be 
 done in the matter of these outrages ; and I count upon you, with the support of the 
 senior naval officer, to have impressed the local authorities, and the Viceroy himself, 
 with a conviction of the necessity of an example being made, both of the instigators to 
 the disturbances and the magistrates who so ill discharged their duty in protecting the 
 foreigner. For greater dispatch the inclosed instructions to the Viceroy at Nanking have 
 been forwarded through me for immediate dispatch. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHEEFOED ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 8. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 gij.j Peking, October 9, 1868. 
 
 ' WITH reference to your despatches of the 24th of September and 1st of October, 
 reporting the unsatisfactory state of affairs at Chin-kiang, I inclose, under flying seal, 
 for your perusal prior to delivery, an official requisition addressed to the senior naval 
 officer at Shanghaefor a gun-boat to be stationed at Chin-kiang without delay, to remain 
 there until farther steps can be taken for the security of British interests. 
 
 [143] F 
 
ot 
 
 r may state for your information in the meantime that, in a long interview with the 
 Prince of "Kung and the other members of the Tsung-li Yamen yesterday, I endeavoured 
 to impress upon his Imperial Highness and the Board the necessity for immediate and 
 vigorous steps on the part of the Government here to put down the ; arbulcnt spirit which 
 has been manifested so unprovokedly against foreigners, both at Yang-chow^ and Chin- 
 kiang ; and for a full measure of justice, not only by the redress of the injuries inflicted on 
 the missionaries concerned, but by the punishment of all, of whatever rank or position, 
 who can be shown to have been culpably implicated in the violence oflfered to theni. 
 
 The result has been so far satisfactory that it has been determined to institute a 
 searching and honest inquiry on the spot into all the circumstances, and I am assured the 
 punishment of those responsible for any wrong done shall surely follow, together with 
 compensation to the missionaries, and their restoration to the places from whence they 
 have been ejected. 
 
 I stipulated that this investigation should be conducted by an officer specially 
 deputed by the Viceroy of Kinking, under instructions from the Tsung-li Yamen, and of a 
 rank at least equal to your own ; the inquiry to be conducted in your presence, or in 
 concert with you, that you may, as prosecutor, produce whatever evidence you think 
 necessary to elicit the truth and lead to the conviction of all aiders and abettors in the 
 violence of the mob, not excluding the Prefect and Che-Hsien, who are charged with 
 neglect of duty, if not direct collusion with those who disturbed the public peace. 
 
 I expect in a day or two to receive the written answer of the Prince, announcing the 
 dispatch of instructions to this effect, when I will communicate farther with you as to your 
 co-operatiou on the spot with the Commissioner deputed to conduct the inquiry. It will 
 be my duty to take care you have adequate support from Her Majesty's navy, and with 
 this object I propose addressing the naval Commander-in-chief, that he may direct such 
 measures to be taken to that end as shall be deemed necessary to provide for all con- 
 tingencies. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in I^o. 8. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Senior Naval Officer, Shanghae. 
 
 Sir, Peking, October 9, 1868. 
 
 THE official reports which reach me of the hostile spirit shown to foreigners 
 at Chin-kiang, in connection probably with what must for the present appear the success- 
 ful outbreak against the missionaries at Yang-chow, render it essential that there should 
 be at least a gun-boat stationed at Chin-kiang until further steps can be taken for the 
 protection of British interests. I trust, therefore, you will have no difficulty in making 
 this provision. Tf there be any gun-boat in the Yang-tsze at this moment, there 
 is no call for its presence at either of the other ports to interfere with its immediate 
 transfer to the more southern station. I am about to address the ISTaval Commander-in- 
 chief on this subject, and also to request material support of the most efficient kind in 
 prosecuting the claims for redress which I am now preparing upon the Chinese Govern- 
 ment. As soon as I receive the final answer from the Foreign Board I shall be able to 
 determine the nature of the measures to be taken, and I propose forwarding my despatch 
 to Sir H. Keppel under cover to you, that, being on the spot, you may adopt such 
 measures in furtherance of the public objects in view as may be in your power without 
 farther delay. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 8. 
 The Prince of Kung to Sir R. Alcock, 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE Prince of Kung makes a communication. 
 
 In the matter of the disturbances in which Mr. Taylor was involved at Yang-chow, 
 the Prince having received on the 19th September your Excellency's account of the 
 plundering and incendiarism committed by the Yang-chow populace, together with a 
 copy of Mr. Medhurst's representation (to the Viceroy), sent copies of these to the 
 
35 
 
 Minister Superintendent at Shanghae with orders to him to depute a trustworthy official 
 to investigate the case thoroughly in conjunction with the local officials, so as to bring 
 this case to an end ; to establish friendly relations between the missionaries and the 
 populace, and to prevent the further spread of like occurrences. To your Excellency's 
 further communication the Prince would not reply until he was in receipt of a reply from 
 Shanghae. 
 
 He has now received from the Minister Superintendent a despatch to the effect that 
 the deputed officer, Cbang, had reported that inquiries showed that the house had not 
 been burnt, and that foreigners had been injured ; also that Mr, Consul Medhurst, ibe 
 Taoutae of Chin-kiang and the Prefect of Yang-chow, had settled the matter among them. 
 It would appear that the missionary Li (Eeid) had already quite recovered from the very 
 slight injury done to hia eye ; that for the damage wrongfully done to Mr. Taylor's 
 house, for demolition and loss of property, and for medical treatment of personal injuries, 
 a sum of 1,000 taels should be paid by the Shanghae Taoutae ; that Mr. Taylor's house 
 should be thoroughly repaired ; that a proclamation should be issued, distinctly stating, 
 for the information of all, that British subjects had a Treaty right to reside within the 
 city of Yang-chow, and that any one causing trouble or molesting them would be liable 
 to condign punishment ; that within two months Mr. Taylor should be requested to 
 return to his former residence ; that the aifair grew out of the people's own suspicions, 
 sundry of the offenders having already been punished as a warning, the gentry having 
 nothing to do with it ; that the gentry indicated were men of high rank, and incapable 
 of wilful disregard of Treaty provisions, for which reason they need not be called to 
 account ; that the Yang-chow Prefect had not broken the Treaty, and need not be 
 denounced, &c. 
 
 The Minister Superintendent states that he communicated with Mr. Consul 
 Medhurst both personally and in writing. 
 
 It seems to the Prince that these troubles were caused, in the first instance, by the 
 very numerous deaths which occurred at the French Orphanage. An ignorant populace 
 got hold of stories about digging out eyes, and estracting brains, their suspicions became 
 anger, and in a moment of excitement they wrongfully made disturbances at Mr. Taylor's. 
 
 The Minister Superintendent states that he has ordered the local authorities to 
 repair the missionaries' house, they returning to reside at Yang-chow as before. 
 
 Among the whole number of men and women but one was slightly injured, and a 
 sum of money has been bestowed to provide medical treatment, and in compensation for 
 articles lost and despoiled, while the actual perpetrators of the outrage have been punished 
 in the " cangue." 
 
 This course of action seems to the Prince to fulfil Treaty provisions, one which could 
 satisfy missionaries and the people, and to be in accordance with what justice requires. 
 He now transmits a copy of the Viceroy's letter to Mr, Medhurst, and a copy of the 
 report made by Chang Kai-chi to the Viceroy, and begs that Mr. Medhurst may be 
 instructed to close the case. It may be that missionaries will be reconciled, and that no 
 such causes of offence will again arise. 
 
 On his part the Prince will instruct the Viceroy at once to issue a Proclamation for 
 genera] circulation at Yang-chow, enjoining all gentry and people alike that there are to 
 be no more such disturbances. Thus Treaties will be respected and friendly relations 
 consolidated. 
 
 The Prince trusts your Excellency will concur with him, &c. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 8. 
 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, to Consul Medhurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE Eeport of Ch'ang Kai-Ch'i, the Deputy sent by the Viceroy to meet 
 Mr. Medhurst. 
 
 The Deputy received his instructions to proceed to Chin-kiang on the 6th September 
 (at 7 — 8 P.M.). He was to inquire into and report on the state of affairs at Yang-chow. 
 He had copies of Mr. Medhurst's two letters to the Viceroy and of his Excellency's 
 replies. He took his departure on the 7th September, and reached Chin-kiang at 
 midnight on the 8tb, when he was told that Mr, Medhurst had left that morning for 
 Yang-chow. On the 9th he hastened to Kua chow. He met Mr, Medhurst en route, 
 and returned with him to Chin-kiang. He asked Mr, Medhurst why, after haying 
 requested a Wei-yuen might be sent to Chin-kiang, he had not waited his arrival. 
 Mr Medhurst made no reply, Mr. Medhurst told him that the missionaries' house had 
 ' •■ 2 F 
 
36 
 
 not been burnt, but that the partitions had been damaged, and there were marks of 
 brickbats on the walls ; that only the furniture of the downstairs rooms remained, and 
 that this had been sealed up by the Prefect, and that there was no need of any further 
 inspection of the premises. When the Deputy wished to see and mspect the peop e, he 
 was told that he should see them when they could be all summoned. Subsequently, he 
 saw and conversed with Mr. Allen, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Lang, and others. From them he 
 learnt that the missionary whose eye had been injured had gone to Nanking. He was 
 told, too, that the women who had jumped from the windows, and who were then assailed 
 with bricks, &c., were in the ninth month of their pregnancy. It seemed to him that in 
 such a case there would have been delivery, and he inquired for the dead infants. 
 Mr. Taylor replied that the ladies had not been delivered, though they were expecting 
 their confinement. It seems to the Deputy, as fourteen days had elapsed and no harm 
 had come to these pregnant ladies, that Mr. Taylor's statement of their jumping froni the 
 windows was made on hearsay evidence only. The wounds and bruises they are said to 
 have received from bricks, &c., could not be exhibited through feelings of _ delicacy, 
 though the Deputy wished to send for an experienced female from the Tai-ta-hsien. 
 When he inquired after the other wounded, he was told that they were all recovered, and 
 that he need not be at the trouble to examine them. The Consul produced no wounded 
 people, and the charges to that effect are unsubstantiated. He asked Mr. Medhurst to 
 go to Yang-chow, but Mr. Medhurst said he had been ; that the house had not been 
 burnt, and that he would not go again, nor would he send a deputy. 
 
 He agreed to go with Mr. Medhurst to Nanking on the 10th September. He started 
 very early on the morning of that day for Yang-chow, saw that the house had not 
 been burnt, and was told by tlie neighbours that the Kan-chien-hsien had sent the 
 missionaries' property after them by boat to Chin-kiang. All denied that acts of 
 incendiarism had been committed. As the Prefect had gone to Nanking, and the 
 steamer was waiting, the Deputy left without seeing the local magistrates. He made 
 straight for Kua-chow, but the steamer had left. He was detained on his road by 
 contrary winds, and reached Nanking on the 12th September. 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No. 8. 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Prince of Kung. 
 
 Sir, Peliing, October 9, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Imperial Highness' letter 
 of the 7th instant on the Yang-chow disturbances ; and referring to our conversation at 
 the Tsung-li Yamen yesterday, I deem it unnecessary to enter into details in reply. I have 
 already communicated verbally the grounds of my dissatisfaction at the result of the 
 reference made to his Excellency the Yiceroy at Nanking by Mr. Consul Medhurst, and 
 of the action taken by that high officer. 
 
 In consequence, it has accordingly been agreed that a full and impartial inquiry 
 shall be instituted on the spot by a competent officer to be deputed by the Viceroy under 
 instructions from the Yam^n, of at least equal rank to the Consul, and with full powers 
 to investigate any charges that may be brought by the Consul, whether against the 
 Prefect and Chih-hsien or any of the literati and gentry, in order that the truth may be 
 elicited and justice done. That an unprovoked outrage of the most serious character has 
 been perpetrated upon the missionaries, with injury to their persons and loss of property 
 in open violation of Treaty, has been placed beyond all doubt. The only matters for 
 investigation on the spot, therefore, have reference to the circumstances under which the 
 violence was offered, the degree of injury suffered, the amount of compensation due, and 
 the culpability of the several parties cencerned. The arrest and punishment of all the 
 persons implicated, — whether the active agents among the mob who sacked the house and 
 attacked the inmates — theii" instigators and abettors among the better classes, are 
 essential if there is to be any security for the future. The authorities who are likewise 
 charged with having failed to perform their duty in preventing such disorders and 
 protecting the British missionaries, must answer for their conduct. 
 
 Immunity to such offenders, more especially if high placed, is wholly incompatible 
 with the Treaty rights of foreigners, and fatal to the best devised measures of protection 
 on the part of the Chinese Government. If such charges can be established by sufficient 
 evidence, I need not insist upon the necessity of their removal and punishment as the 
 only means of doing justice, or averting the recurrence of similar outrages at Yang-chow 
 or elsewhere. Already the bad influence of the violence of the mob, and inertness or 
 
37 
 
 collusion of the local authorities at Yang-chow, has made itself felt at Chin-kiang, and 
 led to similar outbreaks. In Formosa the same grounds of complaint exist, as I stated 
 yesterday, and demand similar remedies. It is in the interest of peace and for the 
 maintenance of friendly relations between the two countries that measures of energetic 
 repression are called for, and none can be so effective as the prompt and severe punish- 
 ment of all who have taken part in the outrages, irrespective of their rank or wealth. 
 
 As soon as your Imperial Highness acquaints me that the necessary order will be 
 sent to his Excellency the Viceroy at Nanking to depute an officer of adequate rank and 
 authority to conduct the inquiry, I will forward instructions to Mr. Consul Medhurst to 
 hold himself in readiness to proceed to Yang-chow and to assist in the inquiry, which I 
 can only hope, in the common interest, will be searching and honest, and so conduce to the 
 firm establishment of peace and good order. 
 
 I avail, &c. 
 (Signed) E. ALCOCK. 
 
 E"o. 9. 
 
 Acting Vice-Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley.— -{Received December 6.) 
 
 My Lord. Shanghae, October 22, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copy of Mr. Consul 
 Medhurst's despatch to Her Majesty's Minister, dated the 15th instant, covering 
 translation of a letter from his Excellency Viceroy Tseng on the subject of redress 
 to be given in the matter of the Yang-chow outrage, as reported in despatches of the 
 8th and 23rd September last to your Lordship's address. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) E. J. FOREEST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in Ko. 9. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, October 15, 1868. 
 
 EEFEREIISTG to my despatches of the I7th September and 1st October last, 
 I have now the honour to inclose translation of a communication which I have just 
 received from his Excellency Viceroy Tseng, on the subject of the redress to be given 
 in the matter of the Yang-chow outrage, and which, it is very gratifying to observe, 
 conveys a somewhat more favourable decision as regards two points, at any rate, out of 
 the eight urged by me, viz., the grant of a sufficient sum of money to the sufferers, and the 
 punishment of the local authorities. 
 
 With regard to the injuries and wounds sustained by the female members of the 
 Mission, on the improbability of which the Viceroy seems to lay such great stress, I must 
 in justice to myself remark that I was informed that they were of such a nature, more 
 especially in the case of Mrs. Taylor, as to preclude the possibility of personal inspection, 
 or even particular inquiry, on my part, and there were no medical men on the spot to 
 whom I could very well apply for the survey pronounced as so essential by the Viceroy. 
 To have taken the opinion of Chinese female experts would have been, as your Excellency 
 will no doubt agree with me, a simple absurdity. The only injury of the existence of 
 which I was able to satisfy myself was that received by Miss Blatchley, who sustained a 
 fracture of the outer prominence of the elbow joint. 
 
 Mr. Eeid's hurt was entirely confined to the eye. After the external inflammation 
 which had supervened upon the infliction of the blow had subsided, the eye showed no 
 outward signs of injury, and the Viceroy might very easily have concluded that " the 
 wound was merely a slight one." But Mr, Reid assured me that he was unable to see 
 clearly with the affected eye, and Mr. Taylor gave it as his opinion that the nerve had 
 been so severely injured as to make t more than probable that the sight would, ere long, 
 be lost altogether. 
 
38 
 
 Taking all these facts into consideration, I scarcely think that my estimate for com- 
 pensation for injuries received can he pronounced as in any way excessive. 
 
 I have done no more than acknowledge the receipt of the Viceroy's letter. 
 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 9. 
 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Sir, October 8, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 18th September, in 
 which you express great regret tliatthe decision in my despatch dated the 14th September 
 in the matter of the Yang-chow outrage is not a speedy and reasonable adjustment, and in 
 which you offer remarks upon the several points. I am also in receipt of a conamunication 
 from the Tsung-li Yamen, forwarding copies of the correspondence of the British Minister 
 with reference to the affair. 
 
 I now proceed again to offer you observations on each point. 
 
 1. In my former despatch I stated that the gentry whose names you gave are of 
 high rank, have always acted as becomes their position and experience, and were 
 certainly not guilty of inciting the people against the missionaries. In the majority of 
 cases it is the graduates, and those who have purchased degrees, who are the leaders of 
 riots. Those indicated by your despatch have held actual office of the second, third, and 
 fourth ranks, and are not of the class above described. Is it possible that men who have 
 held high office should show ignorance of affairs, whilst the graduates and purchased- . 
 degree men, a numerous class and endowed with small experience, should show intimate 
 knowledge of affairs (by abstaining from disturbance) ? Further, the disturbance took 
 place in the Chiang-tu and Kan-ch'iian Hsiens, while the four gentlemen are of the 
 I-ching Hsien. Are the gentry of I-ching Hsien the only ones to show ignorance, while the 
 men of all the other seven Hsiens in the Hang-chow Prefecture are highly experienced ? 
 These two arguments are easily understood. The four gentlemen have become obnoxious 
 to suspicion simply on account of their very high rank. The British Minister evidently 
 quite understands this, as in his note to the Tsung-li Yamen, copy of which has been sent 
 me, his Excellency makes no mention of the allegation that these four gentlemen incited 
 the people. 
 
 The severe stricture you pass upon one named Ko, coincides more with the 
 statement you make {soil., of some prominent men being the inciters), but I do not 
 know more than the surname of this Ko, and I cannot tell whether he is a graduate, and 
 neither did you or the Prefect of Yang-chow mention him before. I have directed that 
 Prefect to find out the facts about the man, and I will punish him severely. I think you 
 need harbour no further suspicions with respect to the four gentlemen. 
 
 2. In my former despatch I said that the Yang-chow Prefect should submit for my 
 correction a draft of a proclamation before its issue, and to ensure preservation for any 
 length of time, all that was necessary would be to paste it on a board. You now desire 
 an opportunity of examining it before it is conclusively issued, and also demand its 
 inscription on stone. I can assure you that any proclamation issued by me will be 
 conformaljle to Treaty stipulations, will satisfy what is required by our friendly relations, 
 and will be eminently calculated to promote the interests of the missionaries. Another 
 reason for refusing to submit the draft for your inspection is, that it is a matter in which 
 China is giving information and guidance to its gentry and people. 
 
 Hitherto no governmental documents emanating from the Emperor have ever been 
 cut on tablets. What are so treated are matters half official and half private as the 
 building of or repairs to temples, bridges, or roads, or the fixing of the rate of ground- 
 rent in money and grain. The stipulation in the Treaty allowing missionaries to preach 
 has been made known everywhere, according to the Imperial orders, and there is' 
 therefore, no necessity for cutting it on stone. If it were allowed in Yang-chow, the 
 mission-stations at Chin-kiang, Nanking, Anching, and all other places, could likewise 
 get stones so inscribed. As it is not provided for in the Treaty, the demand cannot be 
 characterized as reasonable, and it is impossible for me to comply with it. I may 
 remark, too,_ that China, having been long on friendly terms with foreign countries this 
 sort of inscription would in an uncalled-for manner perpetuate the memory of the affair 
 like the cicatrice of a great sore. It is far better to leave nothing which may embitter 
 the feelings. 
 
39 
 
 3. The Treaty contains an Article by which the arrest and punishment of robbers, 
 and the recovery of the stolen property, is stipulated for ; but there is no mention of 
 compensation. K, indeed, the men who committed the robbery can be indicated by 
 name, they will be forced to deliver up their booty by castigation or fine. This may be 
 described as either " recovery of the stolen goods " or " compensation." But as the 
 names of the guilty parties are not obtainable, any money that I may give Mr. Taylor's 
 party on behalf of the people of the district may well be termed a charitable gift. Tsai, 
 Taoutae, in his note to you distinctly announced that the money I ofFered was for the 
 purpose of replacing the lost property, and for defraying Mr. Eeid's medical expenses. 
 Whether it be called compensation or gratuity, the money shall only be given on one 
 account ; if given as a gratuity, no other sum shall be granted as compensation. 
 
 As to the actual amount of money, I had a month ago no detailed statement from 
 you of the loss by robbery. I had only heard that the number of things lost was very 
 small, and that Mr. Eeid's wound was extremely slight, and I concluded that 1,000 taels 
 would be ample. Your statement, now before me, shows a loss of 1,612 dollars. The 
 medical expenses, which are not included, seem rather excessive. However, as the mere 
 money is a small matter, I will make no difficulty in increasing the amount wherever it 
 may benefit our friendly understanding. 
 
 With respect to Mr. Reid's wound, it was merely a slight one ; and as to the wives 
 of Messrs. Taylor and Eudland, I must deny their having been wounded at all. This is 
 a very important point ; for if they were burnt, how was it that you, after twice 
 demanding that an officer should be sent with you to Chin-kiang and Yang-chow, did 
 not, when that officer, Chang Kai-chi, arrived at Chin-kiang, hold joint inspection on the 
 spot ? _ Chang pressed Messrs. Taylor and Duncan repeatedly to let female experts view 
 the injuries, but was met by long excuses on Mr. Taylor's part, who at last stated that 
 the injuries were solely internal, and begged him not to hold an inspection. Taking a 
 wide view of the circumstances, it may be concluded that the women really had no hurt, 
 though there may have been at the time some report that they had. Mr. Stronach, the 
 Interpreter, when he came here the other day, agreed with me that nothing further need 
 be said about the injuries to the pregnant women. 
 
 The sum of 770 taels for medical expenses will, therefore, have to be largely 
 reduced. 
 
 4. The statement in my former despatch that the Yang-chow Prefect did not at 
 first commit an infraction of Treaty has raised a suspicion in your mind that I am 
 screening my subordinate officers. My way with those under me is to take note of 
 their character and disposition, as shown by their daily conduct, and of their talents 
 and tact by their conduct in an emergency. I can aver from their daily conduct that 
 the Yang-chow Prefect and Magistrate have no disposition to make light of foreigners, 
 still less to commit a breach of Treaty. When the populace committed the outrage on 
 the Mission, Prefect Sun showed that his talents and tact were insufficient for an 
 emergency, by failing previously to the outbreak to take precautionary measures, and 
 by exhibiting a want of resources on the instant. When he did get news of it, he went 
 in person to repress the disturbance, sent an escort with the missionaries across the 
 river to Chin-kiang, and engaged coolies to move their baggage, which weighed 120 
 piculs. His merit in this, which is of a piece with his ordinary disposition to treat 
 missionaries with great rather than little consideration, may rank as a considerable 
 set-off. However, the inability of the local authorities to avert disaster, in spite of the 
 two warning letters of Mr. Taylor, has brought about serious consequences. I have 
 discharged Prefect Sun from his office and replaced him by Chao ; Magistrate Wang 
 replaces Li, who is discharged from being Magistrate of Kan-chilan Hsien. These 
 changes will siet at rest the minds of the missionaries, and will consolidate the bonds of 
 amity. 
 
 Ko. 10. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — {Received December 16.) 
 
 Sir^ Admiralty, December 15, 1868. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you 
 herewith, for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, a copy of a letter from 
 Vice-Admiral the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, dated the 6th November, reporting the 
 arratigementa he has made for sending a force to demand satisfaction from the "Viceroy 
 at Hanking for outrages committed on British subjects at Yang-chow and Chin-kiang. 
 
40 
 
 I also forward a copy of the orders given by Sir Henry Keppel to Captain 
 Heneage, of Her Majesty's sliip "Eodney," to proceed to J^fanking on this service ; also 
 an extract of a letter from Commander Bush, late of Her Majesty's sloop " Rmaldo," 
 reporting his reasons for leaving Nanking. 
 
 It is presumed that copies of the other inclosures to Sir Henry Keppel's letter 
 will have been received at the Foreign Office from Sir Eutherford Alcock. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. EOMAIFE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in ISo. 10. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis," at Saigon, November 5, 1868. 
 
 IN paragraphs 19 to 26 of my general letter of the 19th October, I had the 
 honour of acquainting their Lordships with the state of affairs at Yang-chow and Chin- 
 kiang, reporting outrages committed apparently under the auspices of the authorities 
 on British subjects. 
 
 2. The accompanying letter from Her Majesty's Minister in China* will more fully 
 acquaint their Lordships with the nature of the claims for redress which are about to be 
 repeated by Mr. Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy at Nanking. 
 
 3. Sir Rutherford Alcock having in that letter applied to me for effective support in 
 order that the demands shall be exacted if persistently denied to more peaceable efforts, 
 I have the honour to inclose, for their Lordships' information, a copy of my reply to 
 Sir Eutherford Alcock, giving cover to the instructions I have addressed to Captain 
 Algernon Heneage, who accompanies Her Majesty's Consul to Nanking with the 
 " Rodney," " Einaldo," and " Slaney." 
 
 4. The Minister's requisition having reached me after my departure from Hong 
 Kong for the Straits Division, I am anxious to complete my round of inspection before 
 proceeding to Nanking, as in the event of active operations being required beyond a 
 blockade of the Grand Canal to cut off the salt trade, I shall be enabled to reach Nanking 
 and assume charge as soon as a sufficient force can be collected. 
 
 5. I have more fully explained this to Sir Rutherford Alcock in my semi-official 
 letters ; at the same time I am of opinion that the provincial authorities at Nanking, seeing 
 that we are in earnest, and that they are unsupported by the Central Government at 
 Peking, will at once concede all demands on a mere display of such an unusual force as 
 already has been despatched to their neighbourhood. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) H. KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 10. 
 
 Commander Bush to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 (Extract.) September 14, 1868. 
 
 OWING to my now serious illness, I determine to return to Shanghae, as I could 
 render no further assistance to the Consul ; and the objects of the mission being nearly 
 completed, I left Nanking on the afternoon of the 12th, and arrived here (Shanghae) this 
 morning. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 10. 
 Orders addressed to Captain Heneage. 
 
 By the Honourable Sir H. Keppel, K.C.B., &c. &c. 
 
 YOUR letter of the 27th October informs me that having read the requisition 
 addressed to me by Her Majesty's Minister in China, of which a copy is annexed, you 
 had determined to embark Mr. Consul Medhurst on the 2nd November, and proceed' with 
 him to the anchorage oflf Nanking, in the "Rodney," accompanied by the " Rinaldo " and 
 "Slaney." The course you have adopted meets with my approval. 
 
 Her Majesty's Minister appeals to me to give such effective support to Mr. Consul 
 
 * Inclosure 2 in No. 13. 
 
41 
 
 Medhurst in the demands lie will be instructed to make as may be necessary to obtain 
 full redress for recent outrages committed on British subjects at Yang-chow. 
 
 I intrust you with this important duty until I am enabled to join you ; and in the 
 proceedings you adopt, you will be careful to act with the concurrence of Her Majesty's 
 Consul. 
 
 Should the Provisional Authorities persistently refuse a compliance with our demands, 
 Her Majesty's Consul will place the matter in your hands. 
 
 The measures of coercion to be adopted will be determined by circumstances. It 
 may be necessary to arrest the high officers, should they absolutely refuse to do justice, 
 or respect our Treaty rights ; or in respect to Yang-chow, a simple blockade of the mouth 
 of the Grand Canal, stopping the junk salt trade, may speedily effect our object. 
 
 You will make yourself acquainted with the force you are likely to encounter, and 
 should it appear that a larger landing-party is required than can be afforded by Her 
 Majesty's ships under your orders, reinforced by, the " Zebra " and " Icarus," you will 
 apply to Captain Stanhope for such proportion of the Marines and small-arm men serving 
 in the division under his orders as can be spared, informing him that it is my direction 
 he immediately dispatches such force to banking in Her Majesty's ship "Adventurer;" 
 but no commanding officer senior to yourself is to supersede you in the direction of the 
 service with which you are specially intrusted ; and should there be any doubt as to the 
 sufficiency of the force at your command to carry out the coercive measures that may be 
 resolved on, you will wait further communication from me, confining your operations in 
 that case to a simple blockade, which is to be notified to the Eepresentatives of other 
 Powers in the usual manner. 
 
 Should you find, on the other hand, that you do not require the assistance I have 
 referred to, and that a peaceable compliance with our demands enables you to dispense 
 wdth the "Einaldo," "Icarus," and "Slaney," you will dispatch them, without delay, in 
 execution of the orders I have addressed to their commanding officers. 
 
 You are to remain in the Il^orth Division, where I hope to rejoin you in the 
 " Salamis " as soon as circumstances will admit. 
 
 Dated on board the " Salamis," at Saigon, this 5th day of November, 1868. 
 
 (Signed) HENEY KEPPEL. 
 
 To Algernon C. F. Henoage, Esq., 
 
 Captain, Her Majesty's ship " Rodney." 
 By the Commander-in-chief, 
 
 (Signed) Wm. Bond Eisk, Secretary. 
 
 No. 11. 
 
 Acting Vice-Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — (Received December 28.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 9, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to forward, for the information of your Lordship, copy of 
 Mr. Consul Medhurst's despatch dated the 29th October last, to Her Majesty's Minister, 
 reporting further on the Yang-chow question. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) E. J. TOEEEST. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 11. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, October 29, 1868. 
 
 I HAD the honour to receive your Excellency's despatch dated the 3 5th 
 instant, with its inclosures, whilst absent at Ningpo ; and I lost no time in hastening 
 back to my post, in order to hold myself in readiness to carry out the instructions which 
 it conveys, in conjunction with Her Majesty's naval authorities. 
 
 I observe, with sincere gratification, that the position, which I have taken up with the 
 provincial authorities in reference to the redress claimed for the outrage committed upon 
 the missionaries at Yang-chow, has secured your Excellency's unqualified approval ; and 
 I shall be careful to make the modification in my terms, which is suggested in your 
 despatch under acknowledgment. 
 
 [143] ^ 
 
42 
 
 As regards the steps vhiclil uui required to take in furtherance of your Excellency's 
 wishes, I am informed by Captain Heneage, commanding Her Majesty s ship Kodney, 
 that he is in possession of ample authority from Her Majesty's mval Commander-in- 
 chief to support me with all the force at his disposal, consisting of his own ship the 
 ■'Kinaldo," and tlie " Slaney," and that it is necessary, owing to the heavy dratt ot the 
 first-named vessel, that lie shoukl cross the bar on the 2nd proximo ; and as there appears 
 to be every probability that Tseng Kwo-fan will hand over his cliarge to his successor 
 within the next week or ten days, I have determined upon starting on my mission without 
 waiting for any further communication from the Admiral, to whom, howeveY, your 
 Excellency's despatches have been forwarded. . -i. j. 
 
 I will keep you regularly informed of my proceedings by every opportumty at my 
 
 disposal. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 1^0. 12. 
 
 Acting Vice- Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — {Received December 28.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 10, 1868, 
 
 I HAVE the honour to forward, for the information of your Lordship, copies of 
 Mr. Consul Medhurst's despatches dated the 3rd and 6th instant to Her Majesty's 
 Minister. 
 
 I regret that the inclosure in despatch of 3rd IvTovember has been inadvertently 
 taken away by Mr. Medhurst without a copy having been left in this office. I have, 
 however, caused one to be written for, and shall forward it by the next mail. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) R. J. POEREST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in !N"o. 12. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, November 3, 1868. 
 
 ADVERTHsTG- to my despatch dated the 29th ultimo, I have the honour to report' 
 that Her Majesty's ship "Rodney" left Wusung yesterday accompanied by Her Majesty's 
 ships " Rinaldo " and " Slaney," and that I propose to start this evening to join the fleet 
 at Chin-kiang. Her Majesty's ship " Icarus," Avhich has since arrived in port from Anioy, 
 is, I believe, also ordered to proceed up the river forthwith. 
 
 In order to save time and to obviate the necessity of any objectless discussion with 
 the Viceroy when I arrive at his Yamin, I have prepared an official communication 
 (translation of which I have the honour to inclose) which I intend to send on shore 
 as soon as the " Rodney " reaches Nanking, and T shall make it my endeavour to keep 
 the Viceroy as close as I possibly cn,:i to the terms laid down in this communication. 
 
 Your Excellency will observe that my letter limits the duty of the Commission of 
 Inquiry very much to the prosecution of the perpetrators and abettors of the outrage, 
 and that it claims the right to insist on the concession of the demands which have been 
 already preferred, with certain slight modifications which are provided for, as a preliminary 
 to any proceedings whatever. I took care to adopt this course because I felt that to 
 admit the possibility of discussion by the Commission of my main terms would be to lose 
 my hold of Ts^ng, and practically to nullify the objects of the mission altogether. - Nor 
 can Ts^ng complain, I conceive, of my taking those terms as my starting-point, seeing 
 that from the first no pains have been taken on the part of the Chinese to assist me in 
 substantiating the facts on which my case is based, but that rather, on the contrary, every 
 effort has been made to gloss over and misrepresent them. 
 
 I gather from your Excellency's despatches of the 9th and 15th October that your 
 instructions admit of this construction, and I trust that the result may prove that you 
 quite concur in the correctness of the view which I am taking. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST, 
 
43 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 12. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 ^^^> Chin-kiang, November 6, 1868. 
 
 REFEREUSTG to my despatch dated the 3rd instant, I have the honour to 
 acquaint you that I have reached this port, and am now awaiting the arrival of Her 
 Majesty's ships,- whose progress has been unfortunately retarded by the prevalence of 
 foggy weather. 
 
 I find a most wholesome alarm prevalent amongst all classes as regards the advent 
 and intentions of Her Majesty's ships, and I anticipate little difficulty in pressing my 
 claims on the attention of Viceroy Ts^ng, who, I am informed, is not to hand over his 
 seals to his successor until the 10th instant. 
 
 The question of Mr. Taylor's possession of the premises rented to him within the 
 walls of this city, the details of which have been fully reported in my despatches dated 
 the 3rd and 24:th September last, is, I am happy to say, approaching a satisfactory solution. 
 Chiefly owing to Mr. Allen's persistent efforts, Mr. Taylor's right to the house has been 
 so far admitted as to allow of his placing his printing-press and other furniture on the 
 premises, and employing workmen to prepare them for his reception ; and yesterday I 
 had an interview with the Taoutae, when he promised me that, on Mr. Taylor's procuring 
 a written consent to his lease by the only member of the proprietor's family who has 
 recorded an objection with the magistrate, v/hich consent Mr. Taylor has volunteered to 
 obtain, the transfer shall be formally registered, and a proclamation in support of it. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 1^0. 13. 
 
 Acting Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — (Received December 28.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 10, 1868. 
 
 IT is with pleasure I have the honour to inform your Lordship that I have just 
 received inteligence, dated the 9th of IlJfovember, from Mr. Consul Medhurst, to the effect 
 that the Viceroy Ts^ng had yielded unconditionally to the demands made by him in 
 connection with the Tang-chow affair, pronouncing them to be very reasonable. 
 
 A Grrain Commissioner from Huai-gan, and Ying, the Taoutae of Shanghae, had been 
 iappointed Commissioners to proceed to Yang-chow with Mr. Medhurst, in order to secure 
 the trial and punishment of the offenders in the late attack. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) R. J. FORREST. 
 
 1^0. 14. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — (Received January 10, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, October 29, 1868. 
 
 REFERRIIS'G to my despatch of the 12th instant, I have the honour to 
 inclose a further correspondence on the same subject with Mr. Consul Medhurst, 
 Mr. Gibson, in charge at Taiwan, and the naval Commander-in-chief, Sir Henry Keppel. 
 Mr. Medhurst informs me he has sent his own despatches to my address, herein referred 
 to, direct to the Foreign Office. 
 
 The Prince of Kung's reply of the 14th was. satisfactory, and in accordance with 
 what was agreed upon in our interview, that he should direct the Viceroy at Nanking to 
 depute a "Wei-yuan of proper rank to enter upon a new inquiry, in concert with Mr. Med- 
 hurst, with a view to a final settlement by peaceable means. 
 
 The rest of the correspondence records the steps I have taken, in communication 
 with the respective Consuls and N"aval Commander-in-chief, to resume negotiations, both 
 at Nanking and Taiwan, backed by an adequate force, to be persevered in until full 
 redress should be obtained, and better security for the future. 
 
 The Admiral's assurances of his willingness and ability to give all necessary assistance 
 will, I trust, ensure the success of the peaceable efforts 1 have instructed tlie Consuls to 
 make, and avert the necessity of asserting our Treaty rights by a resort to force. I have 
 reason to believe that the Viceroy Ts^ng Kwo-fan has been warned that he cannot leave 
 for his new post as Governor-General of Chili, to which he has been recently nominated, 
 until he has arrived at a satisfactory settlement of existing differences; to which I 
 attribute the very moderate ari,d conciliatory tone of his last communication to Mr. Med- 
 hurst^ and the desire shown to make material concessions. The removal of the Prefect 
 and Ghe-hsien of Tang-chow, with an admission of their inefficiency, if not of their 
 
 G 2 
 
44 
 
 criminality, and the oflfer to make reasonable compensation to the missionaries for injuries 
 and losses, are great advances on his curt answer when Mr. Medhurst was left by the 
 "Rinaldo." He is, of course, aware that a naval force is likely to be dispatched to 
 support the Consul more effectively in his farther efforts at a peaceful solution. 
 
 In like manner, the removal of the Taoutae from Taiwan cannot fail to have a good 
 influence, and must facilitate Mr. Swinhoe's farther efforts in the same direction. 
 
 I venture to hope that by this timely display of determination to assert Treaty rights 
 and obtain redress for their violation, whatever the resistance offered by local authorities 
 in complicity with literati and populace, I shall be enabled, at no distant date, to report 
 the restoration of order, with material guarantees for the protection of British subjects 
 and their interests, both on the Yang-tsze and in Formosa. And if these results can be 
 secured without any resort to measures of open coercion, the victory over bad faith and 
 hostility in provincial authorities will be one of unmixed benefit in our future relations, 
 both with the Government here, and at the more distant localities where the authorities 
 are under very imperfect control. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHBRFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 14. 
 The Prince of Kung to Sir R. Alcoclc, 
 
 (Translation.) October 14, 1868. 
 
 THE Prince of Kung, &c., makes a communication in reply. 
 
 On the 10th instant the Prince received a reply from his Excellency the British 
 Minister, to the effect that, as the Viceroy had failed to make a satisfactory settlement 
 of the cases in which the missionaries had suffered violence at Yang-chow, it would be 
 necessary for a competent high officer of at least equivalent rank to be associated with 
 Mr. Medhurst in an investigation ; that all concerned in the demolition of the house, and 
 those who plundered and assaulted the missionaries, whether principals or accessories, 
 should be severely punished ; that, should any of the graduate or official classes be 
 proved to have incited the people, they should be made an example of; and his 
 Excellency requests that orders may be at once sent to Ts^ng Kwo-fan to depute a 
 competent high officer to deal with the case. 
 
 The Prince is aware that the Viceroy deputed the Magistrate of Sliang-yuan, 
 Chang Kai-chi, to proceed to Yang-chow and make a thorough investigation ; and that 
 Mr. Medhurst did not proceed to Yang-chow to assist at the inquiry. However, as your 
 Excellency's despatch insists on the appointment of a high officer to proceed to 
 Yang-chow and hold a bond fide and searching inquiry with Mr. Medhurst, the Prince 
 is instructing the Minister-Superintendent to depute an able official of the rank of 
 Treasurer, Judge, or Intendant, to thoroughly investigate the case with Mr. Medhurst at 
 Yang-chow. A final settlement can be come to when the Minister's reply is received ; 
 meanwhile the Prince replies as above. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in ISo. 14. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Peking, October 15, 1868. 
 
 A VERY serious outrage on some English missionaries living at Yang-chow, a town 
 situated on the Grand Canal, was perpetrated in August last by a Chinese mob, of which 
 the particulars will be found in the deposition made before Mr. Consul Medhurst, in that 
 officer's despatches to me, and also in my official letter to the Prince of Kung, copies of 
 which are inclosed for your information. 
 
 It will be seen by Mr. Consul Medhurst's despatch of the 31st A.ugust, dated 
 Chin-kiang, to which place he had proceeded in accordance with my instructions, that 
 certain of the literati and gentry were charged with complicity, and were in fact known 
 to be chief instigators of the attack, and the Prefect and Chihsien are equally accused of 
 culpable supineness, if not direct collusion with the offenders. These circumstances gave 
 a special character of gravity to the outbreak, sufficiently alarming in its violence and 
 object without such conditions. The leading facts and the reparation demanded are 
 both clearly set forth in Mr. Medhurst's official letter to the Prefect, dated 2nd September, 
 of which a copy is inclosed. 
 
 This was speedily followed by a somewhat similar manifestation of violence and 
 hostility at Chin-kiang, with which port Yang-chow is closely connected by trading 
 relations, and evidently in sympathy with the apparent success of the Yang -chow populace 
 
45 
 
 in driving the missionaries out of their city. Mr. Medhurst's despatch of the 3rd 
 Septemher gives the leading facts. 
 
 Notwithstanding the threatening aspect of affairs, I had great confidence in 
 Mr. Consul Medhurst's exertions to obtain prompt redress for the past, as well as better 
 seciu-ity for the future, by peaceable means, backed by the material support of the senior 
 naval officer with Her Majesty's ship "Rinaldo" in the vicinity. I have learned with 
 the more regret that this officer determined at the most critical period suddenly to with- 
 draw his ship and return to Shanghae. 
 
 Commander Bush has no doubt laid before you his reasons for this untoward 
 resolution. 
 
 Mr. Consul Medhurst has simply reported to me in his despatch, herewith 
 inclosed, that the sudden ill.; ess of the Commander was the motive assigned. Your 
 Excellency will See by the despatches to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for 
 Foreign Affairs, and to Her Majesty's Consul, of which I inclose copies, that I cannot 
 see in the Commander's disabihty from sickness any sufficient reason for the return of 
 the ship to Shanghae. It must have been evident that the success of the negotiation 
 commenced with his support would be compromised by such a step. He has certainly 
 incurred a grave responsibility, and I cannot avoid the conclusion that the complete 
 failure which followed is mainly due to his action. It would have been much better for 
 our position and interests in China that no steps whatever had been taken to enforce 
 redress, than that the Consul should begin, and then suddenly Ije left in the middle of his 
 work without the material support on which he properly counted for success. Demands 
 once made there is no retreat possible without serious loss of prestige and influence, on 
 which everything depends in the East. Security to life and property, commercial interests 
 and Treaty rights, are all compromised by any false steps in this direction. I feel 
 confident that your own experience in these seas will lead you fully to coincide with me 
 in this conclusion. 
 
 The mischief having been done, however, it must be repaired as speedily as 
 possible. We have appeared to retreat before popular violence and a manifestation of 
 bad faith on the part of the Chinese authorities, and it is above all things necessary to 
 prove that such was never our intention, and that just claims for reparation once made, 
 they will be persevered in until completely satisfied. 
 
 I lost no time, therefore, in declaring to the Tsung-li Yam^n that the action of the 
 provincial authorities, from the Prefect and Chihsien at Yang-chow to the Viceroy at 
 liTanking, were to the last degree unsatisfactory ; and in demanding a full and searching 
 inquiry by a competent officer, to be deputed under instructions from the Yamen, into 
 all the facts, in order to secure the punishment of all implicated in such outrages. It 
 will be seen by the inclosed copies of my official letters to the Prince of Kung, after my 
 last interview and- his reply, that this point has been conceded ; and it only now remains 
 for me to request your Excellency to give such effective support to Mr. Consul Medhurst 
 in the demands he will be instructed to make, as may I think avert the necessity for any 
 more active measures oi coercion. 
 
 Should these hopes unfortunately not be realized, I am satisfied there is no 
 alternative, consistent with a due regard for British interests in China, but to direct the 
 Consul to place the matter in your hands, in order that you may take such further 
 measures as shall be found necessary to compel the local authorities to meet our 
 demands and do fuU justice, in accordance with the instructions, I am assm-ed by the 
 Tsung-li Yamen, they will receive from the Central Government. 
 
 Judging from past experience, it is quite possible these instructions, if received, 
 may be disregarded by the provincial officers ; but if so, it must be at their own risk and 
 
 peril . 
 
 In any case, the latest despatch from Mr. Consul Medhurst, of which I inclose copy, 
 will show that the spirit of the populace at Chin-kiang renders it imperative that Treaty 
 rights should be firmly asserted and maintained. 
 
 I have &c. 
 (Signed) ' EUTHERFOED ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in E^o. 14. 
 Sir JR. Alcock to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 g^j. Peking, October 15, 1868. . 
 
 I HAVE received your despatches of the 24th September and 1st October, and, 
 adverting to my despatch of the 9th instant, referring to the Yang-chow outrage, I 
 now inclose, under flying seal/to be forwarded by the first opportunity after perusal, a 
 
46 
 
 despatch addressed to his Excellency the naval Commander-in-chief Sir H. Keppel. You 
 will see that 1 have entirely approved all the steps taken, as reported by you in these 
 despatches, so far as you were supported by Commander Bush, and up to that point, 
 "looking to the serious consequences likely to follow the sudden withdrawal of Her 
 Majesty's ship " Rinaldo," I trust you did not fail to let the Commander know the 
 responsibility he was incurring. 
 
 I have now written to Sir H. Keppel to give you such eflFective support as may 
 enable you to enter into fresh negotiations with the Viceroy at jSTanking and the local 
 authorities at Yang-chow. You will wait for some communication from the Admiral on 
 the subject before taking any farther steps, and only proceed to Ijfanking when assured 
 of the material means of success by the presence of one or more of Her Majesty's ships 
 on the spot. 
 
 The demands which you made in the first instance, in your letter to the Prefect, of 
 the 2nd of September, appear to me perfectly just and reasonable ; and I have to 
 Instruct you to insist upon the measure of redress they contemplate. 
 
 T have only to remark, in reference to tlie first of these letters, that, unless any 
 permanent injury has been suffered by any of the missionary party, I do not conceive 
 they can properly claim compensation for anything beyond actual losses and expenses 
 incurred ; but the proprietor of the premises, or any persons connected therewith who 
 have suffered in person or property by the violence of the mob or the unjustifiable action 
 of the authorities, should also be indemnified at the expense of those who were respon- 
 sible ; and therefore I authorize you to claim, in addition to the sum required to 
 compensate the missionaries, such further amount as may appear necessary to that end 
 for the other sufferers. 
 
 You will acknowledge the receipt of this despatch, and give me the earliest infor- 
 mation of any communication you may receive from the naval Commander-in-chief on 
 the subject. 
 
 I inclose a copy of the original text of the Prince of Kung's reply, should you find 
 occasion to refer to the exact terms employed in your communications with the local 
 authorities. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in Ko. 14. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Taiwan, Takao Office, September 22, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to report to your Excellency the following events which 
 occurred yesterday, viz., that three ambuscades were planted in the road along which the 
 Senior Naval Officer, I, and our party, would have proceeded to Pi-tau. 
 
 About 5 P.M. yesterday an old man* of about 63 came to the office, and informed 
 me that if I wished to go to Pi-tau, for the future I must not follow the road from Ling- 
 a-liao to Pi-tau, as there were armed parties concealed among the hedges and trees to bar 
 our path. I thought the report was a falsehood, and therefore gave it no further 
 attention. Mr. Pickering visited me afterwards, and he had heard the report. 
 
 About 9 P.M., I received a letter from Dr. Maxwell. This gave me a succinct detail 
 of the ambuscades. I inclose Dr. Maxwell's letter. Of the report in Dr. Maxwell's 
 letter there cannot be a doubt ; the brother of the mandarin at Taku, who came out of 
 Pi-tau yesterday, was his confidential informant. Two chair-coolies who had been 
 employed to carry me up to Pi-tau, and who ran away in the morning of the 21st, also 
 gave me a report almost identical with the above. 
 
 In order to make matters doubly sure, I sent my Ting-chai across the bay to find 
 out the particulars ; he brings me the report that the men were concealed in three 
 positions, armed with gin-galls, swords, spears, and knives, about sixty or seventy in each 
 position. 
 
 From the evidence of these witnesses, I believe the report is a fact. The Senior 
 Naval Officer and I have determined to defend Takao if attacked, he waiting instructions 
 from his superior officers, and I from your Excellency. 
 
 The reason that I had for visiting the District Magistrate requires a word of explana- 
 tion. 
 
 It is now nearly four weeks since the Taoutae made definite promises to Lord 
 
 * This man I afterwards found out was a person who let his sedan-chairs to coolies. — J. G. 
 
47 
 
 Charles Scott and to myself that he would issue orders to his suhordinates to arrest the 
 criminals whom T had charged with murder, stabbing, &c., in my despatch to the Prefect 
 of the 11th instant. 
 
 As nearly two-thirds of the criminals-are within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate of 
 Futig-shan, my intention was to visit him in order to ask him whether he had raceived 
 any such orders. 
 
 But on the arrival of the letter I sent him to specify a day, he was up at Taiwan. 
 So soon as he returned,' he sent me a semi-official letter, an abstract of which I have 
 submitted to your Excellency in my despatch of the 19th instant. 
 
 The subsequent steps my despatch of the 21st instant will make known to your 
 Excellency. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSOl^. 
 
 P.S — I sent my second Ling-chai all the way to Pi-tau to-day in the afternoon. He 
 has returned and informs me that the men are actually watching now, and he persuades 
 me to enter Pi-tau. I will not, unless I have got a force. 
 
 J a. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in ISTo. 14. 
 Dr. Maxwell to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Dear Sir, _ Takao, September '2\, \%QS. 
 
 IT was your intention to have gone in this morning to Pi-tau to visit the district 
 magistrate in connection with the charge of poisoning certain persons whose remains are 
 unknown, and of concealing the bones, a charge which, within the last two days, has been 
 brought against my Chinese assistant and myself, by the District Magistrate of Pi-tau. 
 Tou were prevented from carrying out your intention by the absolute refusal of the 
 District Magistrate to see you, I beg to inform you that it is now a matter of notoriety 
 that this morning, at the time of your expected visit, the city of Pi-tau had in its streets 
 a very unusual number of persons who were armed with muskets, and who made no secret 
 of their intention of resisting the entrance of yourself and party into the city. I have 
 also to inform you that outside the city, from the west gate towards Takao, for a distance 
 of about three miles (about half-way to Pi-tau) there were armed parties of Chinese, from 
 ten to twenty in number, concealed at parts of the road where there were mound,s or hedges 
 near by the road which favoured concealment. These parties, as estimated by various 
 people who passed along the road, might amount to upwards of 200 in all. It is well 
 known that all the arrangements of these parties were ordered by the underlings of the 
 Yaineu. It is distinctly asserted, and although unwilling to believe that a District 
 Magistrate could be as vile, I see no escape from believing it, that the orders issued from 
 the head of the Tamen were to the effect that these armed bands might, outside the city, 
 kill as many of the approaching party as they could, but that inside the city, if they 
 reached it, there was to be no fighting. The reason for this could only be that under his 
 immediate jurisdiction, i.e., within the city, he desired to be freed from the responsibility - 
 of having to answer for any lives that might be lost. The despatch which you permitted 
 me to see this morning, and which agrees in its statements so substantially with the actual 
 arrangements, leaves us no room to doubt that the mandarin has been privy to all that 
 has been going on, and has been determined at all hazards to keep you out of the city. 
 I think it is right to mention that in various places placards were posted up, offering 
 rewards for the apprehension of any Christian, and very large rewards for the killing Of 
 any foreigner. These placards gave no name or seal, and were prdbably only issued to ' 
 create excitement, 
 
 ■ I may take this opportunity of informing yoii of the origin of the remarkable charge 
 which is now brought against me. 
 
 On the day before yesterday, while the Magistrate was engaged on public business 
 in his office, four men carrying an idol chair, and attended by a large crowd, appeared at 
 the gate of the Yam^n, shouting and crying that the idol demanded that the Magistrate 
 should go to the chapel, for that there was something wrong there. These men persisted 
 in crying and shouting, and at length the Magistrate sent some of his servants to follow 
 the idol to the chapel. Arrived at the chapel these men entered it, the idol bearers 
 rocking and moving about from side to side after their usual fashion,^ For' a while they 
 could come to no conclusion, but at length one handle of the idol chair was pointed to a 
 certain Spot, and continuing to be pointed thei'e, the people around begatt to dig, and 
 
48 
 
 sure enough they soon came to a large collection of bones, as mentioned in the 
 Magistrate's despatch. 
 
 Immediately a cry Avas raised as to my having poisoned people, &c., and a crowd 
 went to insist upon the Magistrate himself coming to see. 
 
 When I tell you that the four idol bearers Avere connected with the Yam^n, 
 of whom one, if not more, is accused of complicity in the outrage of April last, you will 
 see at once where the wretched plot had its origin, 
 
 I beg, &c. 
 (Signed) J. L. MAXWfiLL. 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No. 14. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Sir, Peking, October 29, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 2nd of September and its inclosure, and 
 seeing the grave and increasing complications with which you have to contend, I have 
 directed Mr. Consul Swinhoe to lose no time in returning to his post. The Kaval Com- 
 mander-in-chief will also take steps to detach an adequate force to second the Consul in 
 the efforts he will be instructed to make to restore security and order, and obtain full 
 justice for past aggressions and outrages, as well as compensation for property seized or 
 destroyed. 
 
 I have to approve of the steps hitherto taken, as reported by you in your several 
 despatches, and, until Mr. Swinhoe takes charge, you will continue to maintain, to the 
 best of 3'our ability, and with such means as are at j'our disposal, the Treaty rights so 
 flagrantly violated, but avoiding any oflFensive measures, which, if found necessary, will 
 be better undertaken when the force the Admiral proposes sending arrives with the 
 Consul. It is also desirable to give time for the Viceroy at Foo-chow to send an ofiicer 
 to Formosa to supersede the Taoutae, and, in concert with the Consul inquire into the 
 whole of the circumstances connected with such continuous outrages. This his Excellency 
 will be directed to do by instructions from the Tsung-li Yam^n, which may not reach Foo- 
 chow quite as early as this will probably be in your hands. 
 
 Should you be engaged in any further negotiations in the interval before Mr. Swin- 
 hoe's arrival, you will continue to insist on the reimbursement of the value of Messrs. 
 EUis and Co.'s camphor, together with compensation for losses inflicted upon the 
 missionaries. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 7 in IsTo. 14. 
 Sir R, Alcock to Consul Swinhoe. 
 
 Sir, _ _ Peking, October 29, 1868. 
 
 THE serious aspect of affairs, and the increasing complications resulting from the 
 perverse and treacherous conduct of the local authorities in complicity with the populace, 
 render it necessary that you should proceed, without further delay, to your post, and 
 resume charge. 
 
 I have already written to his Excellency the Naval Commander-in-chief, requesting 
 he will detach a sufficient force to second you in carrying out my instructions, with a 
 view to the maintenance of important Treaty rights. The restoration of order, as well as 
 compensation for the past and security for the future, are all essential. 
 
 The Admiral having stated his readiness to do so, I have now to instruct you to 
 enter into communication with the Senior Naval Officer at Shanghae ; and, in the event 
 of the " Rinaldo," or any other ship, being ordered to Takao, you will request a passage 
 may be given you to that port. Failing this, you will proceed by the quickest means. 
 You will also confer with him, and, aided by your local knowledge, give him all the 
 information in your power as to the probable nature of the steps that will have to be 
 taken to bring the authorities and people to reason, and induce the former to do full 
 justice. 
 
 To further this object, I have addi-essed the inclosed communication to his Imperial 
 Highness the Prince of Kung, requesting he will send instructions forthwith to the 
 Viceroy of Fukien to depute a Wei-yiian, of competent rank, to proceed to Formosa, 
 
49 
 
 ■with full powers to inquire, in concert with you, into all the facts, including the conduct 
 of the local authorities, and to do justice in the premises. 
 
 As to the steps to be taken, and the ends to be secured, I must leave much to your 
 judgment on the spot. But the inclosed Memorial of the missionaries, and copy of a 
 further letter of Dr. Maxwell, with Mr. Gibson's last despatch from Takow, will place 
 you in possession of many of the facts, as well a? of the general condition of affairs. 
 
 Murders have been committed on Chinese catechists,. mission-houses and chapels 
 have been destroyed, a British subject has been stabbed, British property in camphor to 
 a large amount has been seized, and, according to Mr. Gibson's last account, they have 
 even proceeded so far as to plant ambuscades on the road to Ting-shan, with the object 
 of attacking and killing Mr. Gibson and his party if they attempted to carry out their 
 intention of proceeding to that place. These are grave acts of spoliation and outrage, 
 rendering life wholly insecure and trade impossible. As these acts are done in open 
 violation of the most important Treaty stipulations, it is a necessity that decided steps 
 should be taken to hold the authorities responsible, and compel them to afford effective 
 protection to both life and property. Their own disgrace, the punishment of the 
 offenders, and compensation for losses inflicted, are the three most important means of 
 securing respect for Treaties in future; and you will, therefore, keep these steadily in 
 view. As far as the Taoutae is concerned, his removal has been already promised by the 
 Prince ; but there must be others, more or less culpable, who should also suffer for their 
 conduct. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHEEFOED ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 8 in N'o. 14. 
 11. AlcocJi to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 Sir, PeJdng, October 29, 1868. 
 
 EEFBREING to my previous despatch and to yours of the 13th of October, 
 which has subsequently reached me, inclosing a further correspondence with his 
 Excellency the Viceroy of l:Tanking, touching the outrage of Yang-chow, I agree with 
 you that the tone, as well as the concessions made, are evidences of a desire to meet our 
 reasonable demands, and more satisfactory than the last accounts received from you. 
 
 The Viceroy's last letter, however, is very far from meeting all the exigencies of the 
 case. The stone tablet on which he dwells so much is a matter of secondary importance, 
 and probably need not be insisted npon, although his reasons for refusing are not very 
 pertinent or conclusive. 
 
 But as regards the refusal to ascertain whether any proclamation he may prepare for 
 circulation is of a tenor to satisfy your judgment of what is required for the future 
 security of British subjects, it is quite clear you can accept none other, and therefore it 
 will be less compromising to the dignity *of the Viceroy to consult before issuing, than to 
 be compelled to amend or alter after publication at the requisition of a foreign Power, 
 INor is there, in truth, any reason why his Excellency should make this difficulty from 
 any concern for the dignity of his office. The Ministers of the Tsung-li Yamen 
 constantly take this course, when the object is to arrive at a common understandings with 
 the foreign Eepresentatives in any matter affecting foreign interests. 
 
 The removal of the authorities, and admission of their inefficiency, if not cf their 
 culpabihty-, together with the readiness expressed to make the compensation you may 
 find just for injuries to person or property, are all favourable indications which lead to 
 the hope. that, if you are enabled shortly to proceed to Nanking, adequately supported by 
 the Senior Naval Officer, a satisfactory settlement may be arrived at without the necessity 
 of resorting to force. As to the time of your proceeding thither, you will guide your 
 movements by the tenor of the Admiral's communication in answer to a despatch 
 inclosed to you under flying seal for transmission on the loth of this month. 
 
 * I am, &c. 
 
 (Signed) EUTHEEFOED ALCOCK, 
 
 
 
 [143] H 
 
50 
 
 Inclosure 9 in No. H. 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis," at Nagasaki, October 3, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Excellency's information, the copy of a 
 letter from Commander Lord Charles Scott, of Her Majesty's sloop ^' Icarus," representing 
 restrictions placed on the camphor trade by the Taoutae of Taiwan, in opposition to Treaty, 
 and reporting the robbery and outrage of which Mr. Pickering was the victim, with the 
 particulars of which you are doubtless familiar. 
 
 Should your Excellency's representation fail to secure the compensation that appears 
 due to Mr. Pickering, I shall be happy to despatch an ample force -to Formosa, to act on 
 such requisition as you may be pleased to make, with a view to exacting the redress for 
 past outrages and respect for treaty rights now denied to more peaceable efforts. 
 
 I hope to meet Lord Charles Scott at Amoy about the 15th instant, when I shall 
 personally ascertain the present state of atfairs in TaiwdO, after which I proceed to Hong 
 .Kong, remaining there 9;hQUt a month. 
 
 I have &c. 
 (Signed) ' HENRY KEPPEL, 
 
 Inclosure 10 in No. 11. 
 Commander Lord C. Scott to the Senior Naval Officer, Eoncj Ko7\g. 
 
 Sir, "Icarus," Amoy, September 11, 1868. 
 
 THE camphor trade in the island of Formosa has for years been a monopoly of the 
 Taoutae of Taiwan. 
 
 The Taoutae of Taiwan holds his rank direct from Peking, and, although the Viceroy 
 of Foochoo has to inspect the island every three years, still the Taoutae is virtually inde- 
 pendent of him, and has the right of corresponding direct with Peking. 
 
 The Taoutae of Taiwan gets 30,000 dollars annually from the camphor trade, and is 
 therefore unwilling to act up to the Treaty, which allows Englishmen to trade in camphor. 
 
 Camphor is in the list of Tariffs, both export and import, and consequently, according 
 to Treaty, not a forbidden article of trade. 
 
 Last April, when a merchant sent up to a place called G-awchay (in latitude 24° 16' N., 
 on the west coast of Formosa) to buy camphor to take to Taiwan, the Taoutae would not 
 stamp the agent's (Mr. Pickering) passport, and ordered his soldiers to seize the camphor 
 (250 piculs) and take Mr. Pickering. 
 
 Mr. Pickering escaped (having been fired on by upwards of 100 soldiers) unhurt, and 
 managed to get to Tamsuy, on the north of Formosa. 
 
 Mr. Pickering informed me that the Taouta© had offered 500 taelsfor his head. My 
 visit to the Taoutae has resulted in a promise in writing to the British Consul at Taiwan 
 that Englishmen shall not be interfered with in the camphor trade, but I have failed in 
 getting the 250 piculs of camphor restored, or 6,000 dohars paid instead. All that the 
 Taoutae will promise to do is to refer the matter to the Viceroy at Foochow, and proposes 
 that our Consul should refer it to the Ambassador at Peking. If the Viceroy at Foochow 
 gives a decision adverse to the Taoutae, I do not think the Taoutae will respect the decision, 
 hut will appeal to Peking. All the Taoutae wants to do is to delay, as I am told his suc- 
 cessor has been already named, and the Taoutae once gone from Formosa, there will be 
 nobody from whom to demand the restitution of the stolen camphor. 
 
 The case in point of the camphor seems to me to be a simple case of robbery and 
 attempt to murder ; but, unless I proceed to force, I see no chance of recovering either 
 camphor or dollars. I hope that my attempt to carry out the Treaty with regard to the 
 camphor trade will meet with your approval ; as, if the Taoutae carries out his promise, the 
 camphor trade for the future will be unmolested. In all that I have done, Mr. Gibson, 
 Her Majesty's Acting Consul (Taiwan), has entirely agreed with me, and I am much 
 indebted to him for his good advice and able assistance. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) CHARLES T. SCOTT, 
 
51 
 
 Inclosure 11 in 'No. 14. 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir. " Salamis," at Nagasaki, October 3, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to place in your Excellency's hands the copy of a letter from 
 Commander Lord Charles Scott, of the « Icarus," representing the rude and insulting 
 behaviour of the Taoutae of Taiwan during a recent interview, as well as various breaches 
 of our Treaty rights committed by that official. 
 
 I request that you will be pleased to bring this case to the notice of the Prince of 
 Kung with such demands for redress and, apology as in your opinion the case may 
 require. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 12 in E"o. 14. 
 Commander Lord C. Scott to the Senior Naval Officer, Hong Kong. 
 
 Sir, "Icarus," at Amoy, September 11, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to request that the conduct of the Taoutae of Taiwan to me on 
 the 27th of August and subsequently, be reijorted to the high authorities at Peking, as 
 being a gross breach of the Article IjII of the Treaty of Tien-tsin. 
 
 On the 27th of August, at Taiwan-foo, I ordered cargo-boats to come off to the ship 
 to take Mr. Gibson (Consul), myself, and a guard of twenty men on shore to visit the 
 Taoutae. The Taoutae gave an order that no boats were to go 'off to the ship. (See 
 Article XVI of Treaty.) 
 
 Oia the 28th, in reply to a letter I wrote on the 27th, the Taoutae sent, at 6 p.m., 
 to say he would receive me at 4 p.m. the same day, knowing it to be impossible. 
 
 On the 29th, when I landed in my own boats and went up to Taiwan-foo, and was 
 received by the Taoutae in accordance with a demand from me, the Taoutae kept me 
 waiting in a hot court-yard for ten minutes and never received me with the salute to 
 which I am entitled. 
 
 In the middle, or rather commencement, of the interview which then took place, he 
 got up and left the room in a passion without a word of explanation to me, leaving me 
 with the Chintai, whose behaviour contrasted most favourably with the Taoutae's. 
 
 The Taoutae's whole behaviour to me was insulting and discourteous, so much so that I 
 refused to either see or write to him again ; but I carried on all my correspondence after- 
 wards through the Chintai (General), who has been my friend in all this business. 
 
 I have the honour to suggest that, if you think proper to forward, my complaint to- 
 Peking, a demand be made either for the removal or degradation of the Taoutae of 
 Taiwan. 
 
 I must also state that on my arrival off Taiwan-foo, the Taoutae closed the gates of 
 the city, and gave an order that no foreigners were to be admitted, being a gross breach 
 of the Treaty, as Taiwan-foo is a Treaty port. 
 
 1 inclose my reasons for requiring cargo-boats on the 28th August, and landing with 
 a guard of twenty men on ^e 29th. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) CHARLES. T. SCOTT. 
 
 Inclosure 13 in No. 14. 
 ilcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Peking, October ^°i,\SQS. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of two letters of the 3rd instant, 
 the one inclosing copy of a letter from Commander Lord Charles Scott, of the "Icarus," 
 reporting the rude and insulting behaviour of the Taoutae of Taiwan during an interview, 
 as well as various breaches of our Treaty rights, and the other referring to a seizure of 
 camphor. I have not failed to bring the conduct of the Taoutae on this and other- 
 occasions before the Tsung-li Yamen, and have received the assurance of the Ministers 
 that it had been determined to remove him from his post. 
 
 H 2 
 
52 
 
 In regard to various breaches of Treaty, of which he and other officials in Formosa 
 have been guilty, I have already, in my despatch of the 15th instant, informed you that 
 there is little hope of redress without the presence of an adequate force to_ support the 
 Consul in his demands. And I have now, in view of the serious complications and 
 continued outrages, instructed Mr, Swinhoe, the Consul of Taiwan, in the despatch of 
 which I inclose a copy for your information, to return without delay to his post, and 
 there prosecute the necessary inquiries, taking such farther steps as he may find needful, 
 in concert with the Senior I^aval OflScer, to enforce a full measure of justice and redress 
 for the injuries inflicted, both as regards person and property. 
 
 I trust it may have been in your Excellency's power to detach such a force to the 
 coast of Formosa with that object as will ensure success; and that the Senior Officer 
 will have instructions to give the most effective support to Her Majesty's Consul, and 
 not to desist until that officer is satisfied some security has been obtained for the future 
 against a repetition of such lawless proceedings on the part of the authorities and 
 populace. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHEEFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 14 in No. 14. 
 
 Sir F. Alcock to the Prince of Rung. 
 Sir, OctoJjer 29, 1S68. 
 
 I HAVE again to draw your Imperial Highness' attention to the state of affairs in 
 Formosa. 
 
 I have received a despatch from Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Taiwan, to the 
 effect that when, on the 20th September, he wrote to the Mag'strate at Feng-shen, 
 appointing the following day for an interview ; that functionary refused to see him. 
 It was reported to the Consul — indeed the rumour wa? in everybody's mouth — that 
 ambuscades of armed men had been formed at available points along the route by which 
 the Consul must have travelled, had he determined to visit the city. The Consul took 
 steps to ascertain the truth or falsity of the rumour, and I regret to say there can be no 
 doubt of its authenticity. 
 
 Mr. Swinhoe, the Consul proper for Taiwan, is at present on duty elsewhere ; I have 
 ordered him to return to his post without delay. 
 
 The lives and Treaty rights of British subjects in Formosa must be protected, and 
 with this view the naval Commander-in-chief is about to send a naval force to support the 
 Consul as occasion requires. 
 
 I have urgently to request your Imperial Highness to instruct the Viceroy at once 
 to depute an officer of competent rank to proceed to Formosa and investigate matters on 
 the spot with Mr. Swinhoe, that these unpleasant complications may be brought to 
 an end. 
 
 I avail, &c. 
 (Signed) EUTHEEFOED ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 15 in ISo. 14. 
 The Prince of Kung to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE Prince of Kung makes a communication in reply. 
 
 With reference to the maltreatment of misdonaries by certain braves in Formosa, 
 the Yamen, on receipt of his Excellency the British Minister's first despatch in September, 
 sent orders by special express* to the Viceroy of Fuhkien and Chih-kiang to forthwith 
 dispatch a competent high officer to proceed at once and arrange n.atters. 
 
 Three days after the sending of this a despatch from the Viceroy and Governor 
 arrived, which stated that they had already, in the 7th month, ordered Tseng, the 
 Intendant of Hsing-hua-foo, Chu<^n-chow-foo, and Jung-chun-chow, to proceed to Taiwan, 
 taking his seal with him^ and to settle matters with all speed. 
 
 The Yamen yesterday received a further despatch from his Excellency the British 
 Minister on the subject. A copy of this was at once sent by special express, with 
 
 * 5C0 1iaday. 
 
53 
 
 JUfitructmns to the Viceroy and Governor to hasten the equitable settlement of this 
 matter by the said Tseng, in conjunction with Wu, the former Taou-tae of Taiwan. 
 
 In Mr. Taylor's matters, the Prefect of Yang-ckow and the Magistrate concerned, 
 have been deprived of their offices. The Yamen have also sent, by special express, letters 
 to the Viceroy and Governor, enjoining them to arrest and punish, as the law requires, 
 the brawler Ko, and those who robbed and set fire to the house. 
 
 The Prince has to submit the above reply for the consideration of his Excelleney the 
 iiritish Minister. 
 
 A necessary communication addressed to S.ii' K. Alcock, K.C.B. 
 
 November 2, 18.68. 
 
 Ko. 15. 
 
 Acting Vice-Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — (Received January 10, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 17, 1868. 
 
 WITH reference to my despatch of the 10th instant to your Lordship's address, 
 J have the honour to forward the missing inclosure in Mr. Consul Medhurst's despatch 
 of the 3rd instant. 
 
 I have &c. 
 (Signed) ' K. J. FORREST. 
 
 Inclosure in Xo. 15. 
 Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, 
 
 Sir, "Rodney," November 8, 1868. 
 
 On the 31st ultimo I had the honour to inform your Excellency that I was on the 
 point of proceeding for the second time to Nanking, charged with special instructions 
 from Her Majesty's Minister in reference to the treatment of the Yang-chow difficulty. 
 
 I have now to acquaint you that I have arrived off your city in company with 
 Captain Heneage, commanding Hex Majesty's ship "Rodney," and other vessels of war, 
 and that we propose to wait upon your Excellency with a suitable escort of officers at 
 11 o'clock on the 9th instant. 
 
 In order to save both your Excellency and myseK any useless discussion, I beg to 
 lay before you in writing the propositions which I contemplate presenting for your 
 acceptance. 
 
 In the first place I propose to request you to appoint an officer of suitable rank, as 
 promised by his Highness Prince Kung to Her Majesty's Minister, to proceed in my 
 company to Yang-chow, and there to hold in concert with myself a formal Court of 
 Inquiry into the charges which I have made against the official authorities and gentry of 
 Tang-chow, of having aided and abetted in the outrage committed upon the missionaries 
 in August last. I shall expect that the officer so appointed will have authority to summon 
 before him, and, if necessary, to detairi for further trial and punishment, any person, 
 whether in or out of office, and whether a member of the literary class or commoner, 
 whom circumstances may render it expedient to examine pubhcly before the Caurt. 
 
 In the second .place, I desire to procure from your Excelleney an admission of the 
 justice of the demands which I have advanced in my several letters to the authorities of 
 Yang-chow and yourself, as well as a distinct pledge under the Viceroy's seal that 
 instructions shall be given to the proper authorities to see them all carried into effect 
 forthwith. As regards the amount of compensation which I have to require for the 
 personal injuries sustained, I am instructed by Her Majesty's Minister that save where 
 any permanent hurt can be shown to have been sustained by any of the missionary party, 
 I am not to claim for anything beyond actual losses and expenses incurred; but I am 
 authorized to see that proper indemnification is granted to the native proprietors of the 
 mission premises, or any other natives connected with the nnssion \y\\o may have suffered 
 in person or property by the violence of the mob, or the unjustifiable action of the 
 authorities. This is a point I have yet to decide after further investigation, the result of 
 which shall be duly communicated to you. I need scarcely add that it is essential that 
 the above concession on your Excellency's part should be made before I can consent to 
 proceed with the proposed inquiry at Yang-cho-.v. 
 
54 
 
 I propose further to claim your attention to questions pending in connection with 
 Chin-kiang, and the Huai-kuan barrier. At the former place the missionary Taylor 
 continues to experience obstructions in the way of a peaceful occupation of the premises 
 which have been let to him by Hsia Lu-chih in the cit\'. And I have to lodge a most 
 serious complaint against the Superintendent of Inland Customs at the last nanied 
 locality, for having more than once vexatiously and illegally detained property belonging 
 to a British subject, whilst being conveyed under transit-pass and certificate, and for 
 having tortured and punished the native servants in charge. 
 
 The above constitute the principal questions which I propose submitting to your 
 Excellency's notice, and I have to request that you will be prepared with positive replies 
 in reference to each one, so that any further misapprehension or delay may be 
 obviated. 
 
 I have &c. 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 No. 16. 
 
 Acting Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — {Received January 10, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 17, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose for your Lordship's information copy of Mr. Consul 
 Medhurst's despatch of the 13th instant, with inclosures, to the address of his 
 Excellency Her Majesty's Minister. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) E. J. FORREST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in I^o. 16. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, "Rodney" November 13, 1868. 
 
 IN continuation of my despatches of the 6th and 7th instant, I have now the 
 honour to report proceedings in connection with my mission to Nanking up to the 
 present date. 
 
 The squadron reached Chin-kiang on the evening of the 6th. On the following day 
 I was visited by the Taoutae of Shanghae, who stated that he had been instructed by the 
 Viceroy to hasten after me in order to induce me, if possible, to forego my intention of 
 visiting Nanking with so many ships-of-war. I replied that this was out of the question, 
 and I put into his hands for presentation to the Viceroy my ultimatum (copy of which forms 
 an inclosure in my despatch dated the 3rd instant), advising him to proceed in advance 
 to Nanking, and persuade the Viceroy to prepare himself for an unconditional compliance 
 with my demands. This the Taoutae readily promised to do. On the following morning 
 I embarked on board this vessel, accompanied by Messrs. Stronach and Allen, and the 
 same evening the squadron was anchored off Nanking. 
 
 Before leaving Shanghae I had made it a matter of anxious reflection, whether 
 presuming I succeeded in obtaining the Viceroy's unqualified assent to all I had to urge 
 upon him, a result of which under the circumstances there could be little doubt, I should 
 be justified in requiring him to place in my hands some guarantee for the fulfilment of 
 his pledges; and having in view the well-known evasive and shifty character of Chinese 
 oflicials from the lowest to the highest, as well as the fact that my requisitions were of 
 such a nature that both time and labour must necessarily be expended in seeing them 
 carried into effect, I came to the conclusion that I could not safely accept any pled"-os 
 made at Nanking as conclusive or sufficient, and that I should fail in my duty were I not 
 to render success certain by obtaining possession of some material guarantee for their 
 strict fulfillment. Captain Heneage, whom I took care to consult, fully concurred with 
 me in this view, and he was of opinion that the responsibility lay with me to see that so 
 important a demonstration as that being now made did not in any way fail of the objects 
 for which it had been ordered. Fortunately a most simple, and at the same time effective 
 method of putting the scheme into operation happened to offer itself in the presence in 
 his part of the river of a handsome new steamer called the " Tien-chi," which the 
 ticeroy has lately had built for himself at Shanghae, and we determined upon laying an 
 
oa 
 
 embargo upon this vessel as soon as we could fall in with her, and taking the first oppor- 
 tunity of requesting the Viceroy to place her at our disposal pending the completion of 
 the negotiations. 
 
 "We found the "Tien-chi" at anchor off Nanking, and an officer was forthwith 
 dispatched on board to request her commander not to weigh without orders, on 
 pain of having a prize crew placed in charge. It was then about 6 p.m. The effect 
 was electrical. The commander instantly hurried off to report what had happened, 
 and at 1 1 p.m. he returned bringing with him an official despatch from the Viceroy, in 
 which that officer pledged himself briefly but plainly to accede to all my terms, 
 which he characterized as entirely reasonable. A translation of this letter is 
 appended. 
 
 The receipt of the above communication simplified my position materially. It only 
 reiTiained to consult Tseng in respect to details, and to explain the necessity of my being 
 furnished with the material guarantee which I had made up my mind to exact, as well as 
 to come to some understanding with him as regards the compensation to be given for the 
 losses consequent upon the illegal acts of the Superintendent at the Huai-kuan barrier. 
 
 Captain Heneage and myself accordingly waited on Tseng on Monday the 9th, 
 attended by a suitable escort, and we found him supported by Ting, the well-known 
 Futai of Soo-chow, who had evidently been ordered up to assist his superior in the 
 emergency, for he acted throughout as chief speaker. My first effort was directed 
 towards the .arrangement of some compromise of the demand for a stone tablet, as 
 suggested in rour Excellency's despatch of tlie 29th October, which, with another of 
 the same date, reached me whilst on the point of leaving the ship. I found no difficulty 
 in inducing both Tseng and Ting to promise that a Proclam.ation should be issued under their 
 seals throughoat the three Departments of Yang-chow, Huai-an, and Chin-kiang, setting 
 forth the circumstances under which the Yang-chow outrage had been committed, and 
 the mode in which redress had been given ; provided tliat the record on the tablet to be 
 erected in the mission premises should be limited to the simple caution that the house 
 was leased to a British subject and must not be interfered with. 
 
 My next task was to introduce the subject of the material guarantee. Here Ting 
 opposed me with much vehemence. He used all the arguments he could possibly invent 
 to turn me from my purpose, and at last went to the length of absolutely refusing my 
 request. We had eventually to take leave, hinting that unless an order for the temporary 
 transfer of the " Tien-chi" were received on board the " Rodney" by 5 p.m. that same 
 evening, a boat's crew would be placed in formal charge. I need scarcely add that we 
 found the required order on board on our return to the ship. 
 
 In the matter of the Huai-kuan Barrier, the Viceroy fully admitted the culpability 
 of the Superintendent, but pleaded that it would be next to impossible to pursue him, as 
 he had recently given up the seals and returned to the capital, and that in any event the 
 jurisdiction was of so peculiar a character, as to render investigation by a provincial 
 governor out of the question. The Viceroy, however, assured me that the underlings 
 who had prominently figured in the transaction should, one and all, be severely punished, 
 and that he would make inquiries as to the best method of receiving any reasonable 
 compensation for the sufferers. This point I left for the while, intending to give it more 
 mature consideration. 
 
 After the conclusion of the interview with Tseng, we proceed to wait upon Ma, 
 the new Viceroy, who received us with marked courtesy. His manly bearing and quick 
 intelligence contrasted very favourably with the sluggish and stolid indifference, Mhether 
 natural or affected, which forms so notable a characteristic of the functionary whom we 
 had just left. I availed myself of the opportunity to revive the question of the coal 
 mines, but was met by the same reply as regards the dependency of the subject on the 
 action of the Tsung li Yamln. 
 
 On my return to Her Majesty's ship, 1 deemed it expedient to officialize the arrange- 
 ments which I had succeeded in effecting as regards the proclamation, and the transfer 
 of the Tien-chi, and to communicate my conclusions in respect to the Huai-kuan 
 Barrier compensation ; and I accordingly sent Tseng the inclosed drafts of the proclama- 
 tion and tablet notice, and addressed him a communication, copy of which I have 
 iikewi.se the honour to inclose. In reply, I received a conjoint letter from Ma and 
 Tseng (translation inclosed), which is sufficiently satisfactory as regards the Huai- 
 kuan Barrier matter. But as regards the proclamation, I was much annoyed to find 
 from Ying, Taoutae of Shanghae, who came on board to see me, that Tseng and Ting had 
 already issued their proclamation without reference to me, and that they professed to 
 have understood me to mean that the tablet scheme had been altogether abandoned. 
 Ying produced several copies of the proclamation, one of which I submit, with the 
 
56 
 
 translation annexed. It will be observed that the document is useful enough in itself, 
 but that it in no way answers the purpose for which I had intended it. I pointed out this 
 defect to Yins:, a^id expressed in very plain terms my vexation at the evasion which had 
 been practised upon me. Ying replied that it was impossible under the circumstances to 
 recall the proclamation, but that as he felt convinced the Viceroy would demur to the 
 issue of a second, the simplest plan was to fall back upon the original scheme of a stone 
 tablet, and to require the Chih-fu of Yang- chow to record upon it a proclamation under 
 his seal word for word in accordance with the draft I had sketched for the Viceroy. To 
 this compromise I have for the time being consented, on the understanding that the 
 proclamation already issued has been widely circulated, a point which I have yet to 
 satisfy myself of. The incident, however, only confirms me in the opinion that I took a 
 very wise precaution in securing the guarantee which I have in hand. 
 
 The negotiations at banking were concluded yesterday by a formal return visit 
 from ]\fa, who was received on board Her Majesty's ship with all the honour due to his 
 rank. Tseng excused himself from attending, but deputed two Taoutaes to convey his 
 apologies. 
 
 The squadron weighed again this morning, and we are now at anchor off the mouth 
 of the Grand Canal, arrangements having been made to proceed up to Yang-chow 
 to-morrow morning, Captain Heneage proposes to take with him 300 men of all arms, 
 and the gun-boats " Slaney " and "Dove " are told off to convey the force up the canal. 
 The commander of the " Dove," who was left here to survey the channel during our 
 absence at Nanking, pronounces it to be navigable for gun-boats for fifty miles from its 
 mouth. 
 
 My next despatch will, I hope, report the result of tlie inquiry. Meanwhile, I trust 
 that my proceedings may continue to merit your full approval. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W- li. MEDHUBST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in IsTo. 16. 
 
 The Viceroy, TsSng Kwo-fan, to Consul Medhurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, November 8, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE received and possessed myself of the contents of your despatch of this 
 day's date. 
 
 "With respect to your request for the appointment of two high officers as a Com- 
 mission to investigate the Yang-chow affair, I have to inform you, that I have directed 
 Salt Commissioner Li and Taoutae Y^ing to accompany you to that city. They have strict 
 orders to punish, according to the laws of China, those found to have been ringleaders in 
 the disturbance. In case substantial proofs or trustworthy witnesses be produced, 
 incriminating any of the belted gentry, i shall apply for instructions to the Throne, as 
 to the course to pursue. The gentry, however, shall not be summoned on mere empty 
 statement. 
 
 I am fully aware that the demands you formerly preferred were reasonable. I am 
 now directing the local authorities to use their utmost exertion to protect, and to prevent 
 natives in the interior, from molesting missionaries ; I will guide myself by the principle 
 you have stated in reference to compensation for injuries, &c. 
 
 I am informed by Taoutae Tsai that the solution of the difficulty at Chin-kiang 
 only awaits the signature of the woman Hsia {nee Li) to a document withdrawing her 
 objections, on which being obtained, a proclamation will be issued. 
 
 Immediately on the arrival from Huai-kuan of the three employees of foreigners, I 
 issued peremptory summons for the appearance of those who had laid' the complaints 
 against them, viz., Chin Ying and Wang Ping Kuo, and they shall be so dealt with as to 
 bring the case to a close. The interests of foreign merchants shall not be allowed to 
 suffer. 
 
laelosure 3 io; Ho. 16. 
 
 Droift Proclamation in aecqrdmae with the Arrangements fiersowdly enteiFed mto hy Comtd 
 
 with Ts4mgand Ting on the 9th Nomemheir,, 18fi6.. 
 
 PROCLAMATIOl^ under seal of Ghih-tai and Fu-tai :— 
 
 "Whereas ill-disposed persons, on the 22nd day of August, 1868, incited the people 
 oS Tang-chow to enter the hause rented hy the Buitish subjects Taylor and others, and 
 violently assault and plunder the inmates,, so as to lead to their e-matual ejection frooa 
 the premises, some of them in a seriously wounded conditio£b. 
 
 "And whereas the local authorities were clearly guilty of hairing neglected to avert 
 the evil in the first instance. 
 
 y It therefore becomes the duty of the high authorities, after clear examination into 
 the circumstances, to order the degradatiom of the city officials, the condign punishment 
 of the ringleaders, the grant of due compensation to the sufferers, the repairs of the 
 house, and the restoration of the former inmates. 
 
 " All this having been done as a matter of simple justice, it now becomes the foarther 
 duty of the high provincial authorities to issue a public proclamation, and this proclamation 
 is therefore issued for the purpose of making it dearly understood to all men high and 
 low that British subjects possess the liberty to enter the inner land for the prosecution 
 of their lawful purposes under a Treaty granted by His Most Gracious Majesty the 
 Emperor, and that any one who presumes to insult or annoy such persons in any way 
 shall meet with condign punishment. Local authorities everywhere moreover are to see 
 that they extend due protection to British subjects who may have occasion to appeal to 
 them for assistance or redress. Let all tremblingly obey." 
 
 The above to be exhibited in the cities of Yang-chow, Chin-kiang, and Huai-an, and 
 their several Hsiens. 
 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST, 
 
 Her Britannic Majesty's ConsiU, 
 
 Inclosure 4 in "No. 16. 
 Draft for Stone Tablet N&tiee, iy the Chih-fu of Ya^g-ehow, 
 
 "WHEEEAS this house hus been duly leased by to the 
 
 British subject Taylor with the permission of the local consular authorities. 
 
 _ And whereas Her British Majesty's Consul at Shanghae has requested thait a cautieOi 
 against any such interference may be inscribed upon stone, so as to insure peacefaj 
 relations. 
 
 Therefore this stone tablet is erected, and all persons are h^eby warned that any 
 irregular entrance upon and interference with these preraises will meet with condign 
 punishment. 
 
 Let all tremblingly obey. 
 
 (S3gned) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in Ho. 16. 
 Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy, T»eng- Ewo-fan^ 
 
 Sir, " Rodney^" of Nanking, November 10, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's reply to my 
 letter setting forth the special objects of my present visit to Nanking, and I am much 
 gratified by the frank and ready consent which is given to my several requisitions. 
 
 I have also to record my high appreciation of your courtesy and consideration in 
 making, after our interview yesterday, through Ying Taotae the further concession of 
 placing in my hands a material guarantee for the strict fulfilment of all your promises. 
 
 By the arrangements thus entered into I doubt not but that adjustment of tho 
 Yang-chow afiair wiE be speedily and easily arrived at. 
 
 There remains yet, however, the Huai-kuan Barrier difficulty. Although you have 
 favoured me with the assurance that the petty offi,cial underlings who committed the^ 
 irregularities shall be duly punished, I have still to require due compensation to be made 
 [143] I 
 
58 
 
 to the merchants and their servants who have suffered in consequence of these acts. I 
 am informed by Her Majesty's Minister, who has had before him the letter from his 
 Excellency Ting Futai, dated the 9th September last, and my reply to that functionary, 
 dated the 15th October, that I am right in asserting the principle that a Chinese 
 functionary, who, in contravention of well understood Treaty rights, occasions loss or 
 damage to a British subject by his acts, is liable to make good such loss, and I am 
 directed to insist upon such compensation being accorded in the cases under attention. 
 
 I have, therefore, to request you will either empower the two officials named in 
 your letter under acknowledgment to deal with the Huai-kuan question, as well as that 
 connected with Yang-chow, or to appoint some other and equally suitable functionaries to 
 entertain the matter in consultation with myself. I observed that your Excellency let 
 fall a casual remark yesterday, to the effect that the jurisdiction over the Huai-kuaii 
 officials was of a peculiar character, and that the offending superintendent had already 
 given over charge and left for Peking. The transfer of the seals to another man can 
 of course make no difference in the liability of the particular department, or of the 
 Government under whomit works. And the peculiarity of the jurisdiction need present 
 no difficulty in the way of an amicable and just arrangement. 
 
 I have to request, moreover, that no time may be lost, as I propose to present 
 myself at Huai-kuan as soon as the settlement of the Yang- chow affair will admit of. 
 
 I iidjV6 Sac 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 ■ Inclosure 6 in No. 16. 
 
 Proclamation. 
 (Translation.) 
 
 MA, Grovernor-General, &c. ; Tseng, late Governor-General, &c., &c. ; Ting, Governor 
 of Kiang-su, hereby issue a proclamation for general information. 
 
 Whereas the preaching of religion is sanctioned by Treaty, and all persons are at 
 liberty to become proselytes thereto, according as it suits their convenience, without 
 compulsion either for or against : 
 
 We therefore issue this proclamation to give the population, civil and military, 
 of these districts to know that it is imperatively required of them that they carefully 
 observe the Treaty which has been concluded by (3ur Most Gracious Sovereign the 
 Emperor, and that they must not annoy religious establishments nor raise pretexts for 
 disturbance, nor must they treat foreign travellers with wanton disrespect. Every wilful 
 offender will certainly be visited with heavy punishment, without hope of pardon. Obey 
 with trembling ! 
 
 A special proclamation issued on the 27th of the 9th moon of the 7th Tung-chih 
 (11th November, 1868). 
 
 Inclosure 7 in No. 16. 
 
 The Viceroy, Tseng Kwo-fan, and Ma, Governor- General of the Two Kwang, to Consul 
 
 Medhurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, ^November 11, 1868. 
 
 WE have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of yesterday. 
 
 With reference to the Huai-kuan question, I (Tseng) at our late interview conceded 
 the point of compensation for damages caused by wrongful acts on the part of the 
 Chinese officials towards British merchants, since the principle was laid down by 
 Her Majesty's Minister at Peking. The Huai-kuan Superintendent will be requested to 
 pay the amount, of compensation to you, through the Chin-kiang Taoutae, immediately on 
 receipt of a detailed statement from you. 
 
 The official underlings at Huai-kuan who have been guilty of illegal acts have been 
 peremptorily summoned to Nanking for punishment. There will reaUy be no necessity 
 for you to proceed thither. It may be added further that I (Ma) have directed the 
 Huai Yang Taoutae Lin to go to Huai-an, and again place before the Huai-kuan 
 Superintendent Lien the necessity of adhering strictly to Treaty in dealing with foreign- 
 owned goods in transit. Should you still determine to proceed to Huai-kuan, Lin 
 Taoutae has been commissioned to act in concert with you ; otherwise Lin yfiW go by 
 
59 
 
 himself, and will see that compensation is granted for the past, and that the Treaty be 
 adhered to in future in all cases jointly affecting native and foreign interests. Even 
 should the Tsung-li Yam^n demur to the principle of compensation, we should still 
 fulfil our promise on this point, having passed our word. 
 
 It will he very unadvisable to send Ying Tadutae and Li, Salt Commissioner, the 
 two officers appointed to adjust the Yang-chow difficulty, also to take the Huai-kuan 
 question. The press of work at Shanghae, too, will prevent Ying from being long absent 
 from his post. 
 
 I, Ts^ng, late High Minister for Foreign Trade, did yesterday hand over the seals 
 of that office to Ma. The conduct of the Yang-chow question will be undertaken by us 
 both in conjunction. Ma will take charge of the Huai-kuan question himself. 
 
 We request you will accept the announcement above made. 
 
 No. 17. 
 
 Acting Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — (Received January 10, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 24, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose for your Lordship's information copy of Mr. Consul 
 Medhurst's despatch of the 24th instant, with inclosures, to the address of his 
 Excellency Her Majesty's Minister reporting the settlement of the Yang-chow difficulty. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) R. J. FORREST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in "Ho. 17. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Yang-chow, November 20, 1868. 
 
 Ilif my despatch dated on board Her Majesty's ship " Rodney " the 13th instant, I 
 had the honour to acquaint your Excellency that I had brought my negotiations at 
 "N"a,nking in respect to redress for the Yang-chow outrage to a satisfactory termination, 
 and that I was on the point of starting for Yang-chow in company with Captain Heneage, 
 B.JN., and a suitable escort, for the purpose of seeing my requisitions duly carried 
 into effect. 
 
 The course of the gun-boats up the Grand Canal was somewhat retarded during the 
 first day by repeated groundings of Her Majesty's ship "Dove," but the following 
 morning we were more fortunate, and by 2 p.m. on the 16th instant the flotilla steamed 
 successfully past the city to the anchorage assigned to it of the Hsu-lS'ing gate. 
 The naval and marine battalion, which have been marched from the bivouac of the 
 previous night, in order to lighten the draught of the vessels as much as possible, reached 
 the ferry opposite the gate at the same moment, and the effect of the simultaneous 
 arrivals upon the thousands of native spectators must have been as useful as it was no 
 doubt interesting. On entering the city we found the Hsing-Chiao-ssu, a very 
 commodious and handsome temple, prepared for our reception, and the arrangements 
 for quartering the men and officers could scarcely have been better had they been 
 superintended by ourselves. 
 
 The 16th was occupied in the interchange of ceremonial visits between the two 
 Commissioners and local authorities and ourselves. Their courtesy at every meeting was 
 so marked as to be almost oppressive. 
 
 On the I7th the Commission met for the first, and indeed only time, for the single 
 interview sufficed to enable us to arrive at a perfect understanding as to the necessary 
 arrangements. 
 
 The first subject of discussion was the degradation of the local officials. The Com- 
 missioners assured me that the Chih-fu and Chih-hsien, as in fact I already knew from 
 general report, had been dismissed from office, and that this was the utmost that the 
 Viceroy could do without the consent of the Crown. I therefore signified my readiness 
 to be satisfied with this assurance, provided it was communicated to me officially, under 
 the conjoint seals of the Commissioners. 
 
 The complicity of the belted gentry I found myself unable to substantiate. 
 Mr. Taylor, whom I produced before the Commission, professed himself incapable of 
 bringing forward a single individual or fact in support of the generally accepted impres- 
 sion that certain of the gentry had been the instigators of the riot, and I had no 
 
 . 12 
 
60 
 
 alteraatire but to abandon the prosecirtion against the persons whose names had been 
 mentioned. Three men from amongst the lower classes, whom the Commissioners had 
 succeeded in securing, were then hamied over to the local magistrate for trial and punish- 
 ment. I have the honour to inclose, in connection with this item, a letter which has since 
 been addressed to me by Mr. Taylor. 
 
 The amount to be paid for compensation for losses as per memorandum inclosed in 
 my despatch of 15th September last, was passed without demur. The fact of per- 
 manent injury to some of the missionary party I was prepared to establish by the 
 professional opinion, which I obtained through the courtesy of Captain Heneage, from 
 Dr. Fegan, the snrgeon of Her Majesty's ship " Rodney." The injuries described are of 
 80 peculiar a character, that I found some difficulty in deciding upon the measure of 
 indemnity which would best comport with justice to both sides. It was eventually agreed 
 that 500 taels should be placed in my hands, subject to your Excellency's decision as to 
 its adequacy or otherwise. In close relation to this head of the negotiation came the 
 question of compensation to Chinese who had suflFered in person or property by the 
 violence of the mob, or the unjustifiable action of the authorities, as suggested in your 
 despatch of the 15th October last. Mr. Taylor named two instances of the kind, in which 
 he estimated the losses of one individual at 50 dollars 90 cents, but declared himself 
 unable to convey any idea of the loss suffered by the other, the party concerned having 
 left for Peking. The Commissioners having since very liberally consented to divide 
 150 dollars 90 cents between the two men. They have also with equally commendable 
 consideration agreed to make good Mr. Taylor's expense in renting another house at 
 Chin-kiang, amounting to 120 dollars. 
 
 The allowance for repairs to the house (70 dollars) having been included in the 
 original estimate for compensation, and having been accepted as adequate by Mr. Taylor, 
 did not call for discussion. 
 
 The question of the issue of a proelamation, thanks to the evasion practised upon me 
 by Tseng and Ting, as reported in my last despatch, cost me some trouble to adjust to my 
 satisfaction, and it was only upon my hinting the necessity of a return to I^anking that I 
 succeeded in inducing the Commissioners to fall in with my proposition. The object I 
 sought to obtain was so to frame the proclamation as that the Chinese should apprehend 
 ihe true nature of the of the outrage which had been committed, and the full measure of 
 punishment and redress which had followed upon it, and I was anxious that the document 
 should be authenticated by the seals of the Yiceroy or his deputies. I inclose for your 
 information, in Chinese and English, the result of my efforts, and I confidently hope that 
 it may have the good effect I intend for it. The stone tablet I consented to make a 
 secondary question, and the accompanying is a translation of the notice which has been 
 agreed upon. 
 
 The last demand, the restoration of Mr. Taylor and party to their original home, 
 was agreed to at once, and yesterday it was formally carried into effect by the Com- 
 missioners and myself in propriis personis. I have cautioned Mr. Taylor, however, to 
 abstain for the present from attracting public notice by bringing his family up or 
 obtruding his ministrations too freely upon the people. 
 
 The above arrangements were yesterday confirmed by the Commissioners in an 
 official communication of which I inclose a copy and translation, and the amount of 
 indemnity decided upon accompanied the latter in sycee. My reply is also enclosed, 
 from which it will be observed that sundry details remain yet to be attended to in order 
 to render the reparation as complete as I could wish. The authorities will doubtless 
 lose no time in seeing the omission repaired, and I hope to be able to take leave of 
 them by the 22nd or 23rd at latest. 
 
 It will afford your Excellency great gratification to learn that our sojourn in this 
 eity, so far, has not been attended by the slightest misunderstanding or mishap as far as 
 the people are concerned; on ike contrary, our presence appears to be accepted as a 
 thing of course, and the large number of dollars which our many wants introduce into 
 ekculation must have its effect in begetting a genial feeling towards the hitherto feared 
 amd detested stranger. T^e eity seems to be in a most wretched condition, more than 
 half of it is in ruins, the work I am told of the rebels who have from time to time visited 
 the neighbourhood ; whilst the inhabited portions do not contrast at all favourably as 
 regards squalor and filth, with those of any other of the many Chinese towns which I 
 have visited. 
 
 A final despatch^ reporting the conclusion of the negotiations and the return of the 
 material guarantee '^all he forwarded in due course. 
 
 Y^our, &c. 
 (Signed^ W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
61 
 
 In^losttre 2 in iSTo. 17. 
 
 Mr. Taylor to Conml Medhurst. 
 
 Sir, Yang-chow, November 19 1868, 
 
 AS you desired we went yesterday to the Yam&i of the Kan-tsuen Hsien, where we 
 were shown three meii, one o£ whom Mr, Rudknd was abk to identify as the man who 
 robbed Mrs. Taylor and others upstairs, and who was leader in the plunderiug there. His 
 name is liin Ching, The other two we could not identify. One of them was, I believe, a 
 military Sin-tsai of the name of Koh ; but not the literary graduate who assaulted and 
 threatened several of us. The other man we believe we several times saw among the 
 disorderly rabble, but we do not know that he was one of the actual rioters. 
 
 As to tangible evidence against any of the belted gentry, I regret to say that there 
 is none procurable. There seems to be no possibility of obtaining anything beyond the 
 general rumours which were prevalent two months ago, and it would not be easy now to 
 find persons wUling to come forward and testify to them in Yang-chow. We had secured 
 some of the anonymous placards, which stated that it had been agreed that the literary 
 graduates would meet on the exercise ground after the examination on the 1st (I think 
 it was) of the 7th moon, when they would proceed with the people to burn up the house 
 amd destroy the foreign residents and native servants indiscriminately, but these, un 
 fortunately, were among the many papers which were burnt in the attack, so that any 
 clue which might have been obtained from them is lost. The absence of Li Tai Ye, the 
 landlord of our house, of Ping yu Shan, landlord of the hotel, and others formerly con- 
 nected with them renders it more difficult foi" me to procure anything definite. 
 
 (Signed) ' J. HUDSON TAYLOR. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 17. 
 
 Proclamation. 
 (TuaaislaAicm.) 
 
 LI, Commissioner of the Salt Gabelle, of the rank of Provincial Treasurer, &c,, 
 Ying, Taoutae, of Shanghae, Superintendent of Kiang-nan Maritime Customs, of the 
 rank of Provin^^ial Judge, &c,, hereby issue a proclamation for general information. 
 
 Whereas we have received the instructions of their Excellencies the High Ministers 
 Eoreign Trade, Ma and Tseng, to adjust matters at Yang-chow, we find that on the 22nd 
 day of August, 1868, evil disposed persons excited the people of Yang-chow to enter the 
 house rented by the British subjects Taylor and others, and violently assault and plunder 
 the inmates, so as to lead to their eventual ejection from the premises, some or them in a 
 seriously wounded condition ; and whereas the local authorities were clearly guilty of 
 having neglected to avert the evil in the first instance ; it therefore becomes the duty of 
 the high authorities, after the examination into the circumstances, to order the degrada- 
 tion of the city officials, the condign punishment of the ringleaders, the grant of due 
 compensation to the sufierers, the repair of the house, and the restoration of its former 
 inmates. 
 
 All this having been done as a matter of simple justice, it now becomes our further 
 duty to issue a public proclamation, and this proclamation is therefore issued, for the 
 purpose of making it clearly understood to all men, high and low, that British subjects 
 possess the liberty to enter the inner land for the pursuit of their lawful purposes, under 
 a Treaty granted by His Most Gracious Majesty the Emperor, and that any one who 
 presumes to insult or annoy such persons in any way, shall meet with condign punish- 
 ment. Local authorities everywhere, moreover, are to see that they extend due 
 protection to British subjects who may have occasion to appeal to them for assistance or 
 redress. 
 
 Let all tremblingly ob^^ 
 
 A. fecial proclamation issued on the 5th day of the 1st moon of the 7th year of 
 TungjChiii (;18th November, 1868). 
 
62 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 17. 
 
 Notice to be engraved on Stone Tablet, and placed within Mr. Taylors premises at 
 
 Yang-chow. 
 'Translation.) 
 
 The Prefect of Yang-chow. 
 
 "WHEREAS, this house has been rented by the British subject Taylor under the 
 sanction of his Consul, and of the local authorities. 
 
 No idle or improper persons are allowed to enter and create disturbance. Offenders 
 'ivill be arrested and punished. 
 
 Obey with trembling ! A special notice — obey ! 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 17. 
 
 Commissioners Li and Ying to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 §ir, Yang-chow, November 19, 1868. 
 
 IN pursuance of our instructions, with which we have been favoured by the High 
 Ministers for Foreign Trade, Ma and Tseng, to adjust the Yang-chow difficulty, we now beg 
 to recapitulate point by point the results of our consultations with yourselves : — 
 
 1. His Excellency Tseng has dismissed from office the Yang-chow Prefect Sun, and 
 the Kanch'uan Magistrate Li, for their errors and delinquencies in conducting relations 
 with foreigners. 
 
 2. The accusations against the belted gentry are dismissed, as no real proof is found 
 to support the same. 
 
 3. Lin-ch'ien, Chang-chin Ch'ien, and Ku Piao, who were concerned in the outrage, 
 have been arrested, and Mr. Taylor has identified them in presence of the Kan-ch'uan 
 Magistrate as being ringleaders. The punishment awarded by Chinese law to ringleaders 
 in a malicious attempt at arson is two months' cangue and banishment in the third degree 
 (beyond the G-reat Wall) ; to accessories, the punishment is one degree less. 
 
 4. Compensation for losses and expenses is fixed at 1128"40 taels. 
 
 5. It is agreed that compensation for bodily injuries be paid to Mr. Eudland, Miss 
 Blatchley and Mrs. Taylor, in the sum of 500 taels, subject to reduction should Her 
 Majesty's Minister consider the amount excessive. 
 
 6. We have issued a joint proclamation stating the facts of this case for general 
 information. 
 
 7. A notice has been issued by the Yang-chow Prefect for Mr. Taylor to inscribe on 
 a stone tablet. 
 
 8. The premises of Mr. Taylor have been repaired, and yesterday that gentleman 
 was invited to take possession of them. 
 
 The above points having all been carried out according to our instructions, we now 
 beg as a conclusion to the whole case to address to you this formal despatch, and to 
 request a reply. 
 
 We send herewith two boxes containing 1 628*40 taels. 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No. 17. 
 Consul Medhurst to Commissioners Li and Ying. 
 
 Gentlemen, Yang-chow, November 20, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated yesterday, in 
 which you recapitulate the result of your deliberations in the matter of the redress of the 
 Yang- chow outrage. 
 
 In reply, I have to observe as follows : — 
 
 In regard to item No. 3, it is well that you have arrested and condemned three men 
 as ringleaders in the attack upon Mr. Taylor. There must, however, have been more 
 engaged well known to the officials and people of this city. Lin-piao, the Ti-pao, admits 
 that he knew this " Ko " whom Taylor's accusation has specially criminated, and as he 
 is a civil "Hsiu-tsai," there can surely be no difficulty in laying hands upon him. 
 Moreover, the prisoners already apprehended must of necessity be able to give 
 information as regards their accomplices. I expect, therefore, that punishment shall be 
 visited upon others than those named. 
 
63 
 
 As regards Ko. 5, you have omitted to officialize the condition agreed upon that, in 
 the event of the 600 taels compensation being considered by Her Majesty's Minister as 
 insufficient, any further sum he may require shall be paid. 
 
 As regards "So. 6, 1 have every reason to be satisfied with the proclamation which 
 has been issued ; but I have failed to see the document exhibited in more than one spot, 
 and that is the gate of this temple. I need scarcely explain that the proclamation is not 
 for our enlightenment, but for that of the Chinese inhabitants of this city, and that to 
 this end it is essential that the document shall be posted at every gate, Yamen, and 
 temple in the place. Besides, it is as much to your interest as to ours that what is effected 
 now in the way of dealing out redress should be done efficiently. Evil-disposed people 
 have only to discover that the officials are not in earnest in their proceedings, to be 
 encouraged in a repetition of their mal-practices, which will as certainly be followed by 
 further visitations of this nature. 
 
 As regards No. 7, I must request that the duty of inscribing the stone tablet 
 shall devolve on the local officials, and not upon Mr. Taylor. 
 
 With the above qualifications I have to express myself gratified with the energy 
 and dispatch you have evinced in carrying out the Viceroy's instructions. I hope to 
 be able before taking my departure to notify my entire satisfaction with your 
 proceedings. 
 
 The indemnity money, comprising 1,128*40 taels for the mission, compensation for 
 injury 500 taels, the same for P^ng and Wang 150 dollars 90 cents, and rent 120 dollars, 
 I hereby beg to acknowledge the receipt of. Should the result of the assay of the 
 aggregate amount show any surplus in your favour, I hereby hold myself liable to refund 
 it at Ohin-kiang. 
 
 rSigned) ' W.' H. MEDHURST: 
 
 No. 18. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, January 14, 1869. 
 
 I NEED scarcely inform you, that Her Majesty's Grovernment have been awaiting 
 with much anxiety the issue of the very serious question which originated in the attack 
 on British Missionaries at Yang-chow-foo in the month of August last. That anxiety was 
 happUy removed a few days since by the receipt, through Mr. Forrest, of copies of 
 Mr. Medhurst's despatches to you of the 13th and 20th of November, reporting that 
 matter had been settled. 
 
 But I cannot dismiss the subject without some observations, and although I may 
 expect to receive from you a final report on the matter, the bearing which what has passed 
 has upon my communications with Mr. Burlingame, of which you have been informed by 
 my despatches of the 30th of December last and of the 13th instant,* renders it necessary- 
 that I should not defer making them. 
 
 I have before me your despatches of the 12th and 29th October, and Mr. Medhurst's 
 despatches to you of the 27th and 30th August,. 3rd, 15th, and 17th of September,- 
 15th and 29th of October, and 3rd, 6th, 13th, and 20th of November. 
 
 In the first place, I have to state to you, that I consider Mr. Medhurst to have 
 acted very rightly in proceeding at once to the seat of outrage, and I will not criticize 
 his taking up with him a considerable armed force, under the explanation to the 
 local authorities that it was required for his protection on the road, and that his 
 intentions were amicable, and only directed to obtaining from the local authorities a 
 reasonable reparation for the wrong done to the missionaries. 
 
 Mr. Medhurst's proceedings at Tang-chow-foo, and subsequently at Nanking in his 
 endeavours to induce the Viceroy to afford redress, were characterized by prudence and 
 firmness, and as such entitle him to the approval of Her Majesty's Government. 
 
 The subsequent stages through which the affair passed, I cannot look upon as 
 equally satisfactory. 
 
 Mr. Medhurst very properly reported to you from the first what had happened to 
 the missionaries, and the course which be proposed to pursue, and afterwards when he 
 failed in overcoming the reluctance of the Viceroy to afford redress, he, as in duty bound, 
 placed the matter in your hands. . 
 
 You, on your part, very properly called upon the Central Grovernment to afford 
 redress, and Her Majesty's Grovernment are glad to recognise in Prince Kung's letters, 
 
 * See "China, No. 1 (1869)," Nog. 2 and 11. 
 
64 
 
 and your own comments on them, the. fullest admission on the part of the Central 
 Government of their responsibility, and the readiness with which they took measures that 
 proved eflFectual for bringing the local authorities as well as the Yieeroy of ISTanJdng to 
 a proper sense of their respective duties, the result being that full satisfaction was made 
 for the outrage complained of. 
 
 Thus far matters followed their proper course ; the Central Grovernment was appealed 
 to for redress against the Provincial Government, and proved its willingness and ability 
 to obtain it. 
 
 But I will not conceal from you that Her Majesty's Government wonld have much 
 preferred that the matter should have been left to the action of the Central Government, 
 subject of course to the view which Her Majesty's Government might take of it if that 
 action were withheld or proved unavailing, than that the aid of Her Majesty's naval 
 forces should have been invoked in order to bring pressure or to inflict punishment on 
 the provincial authorities, irrespective of the result of the demand which you had made 
 on the Central Government for redress. 
 
 The persons of the missionaries were safe ; the injury to their property had been 
 completed many weeks before ; there was no immediate emergency to be met ; the 
 question of redress due was properly debateable at Peking, and if that redress had 
 been withheld, the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government might without any inconvenient 
 delay have been ascertained as to the course which it would be in such a contingency 
 expedient to adopt. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government are willing to make every allowance for the difficulties :in 
 which you were placed in having to deal with a question of so unusual a character in the 
 shape that it came before you; My communication with Mr. Burlingame will show you 
 for your future guidance the course which under similar circumstances you should 
 Dursue. The active interference of Her Majesty's Naval Forces should only be had 
 recourse to in cases of sudden emergency, and of immediate danger to lives or property, 
 i)ut when once the matter is removed for diplomatic discussion at Peking, Her Majesty's 
 Government should be left free to determine, if occasion should arise for doing so, what 
 is best to be done to enforce upon the Central Government the obligation not only 
 themselves to observe Treaties, but to compel Provisional authorities also to observe 
 them-. 
 
 I am, &e. 
 (Signed) CLAEEKDON. 
 
 Fo. 19. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond.'— (Received January 20.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, January 19, 1869, 
 
 WITH reference to my letter of the ISth December, inclosing the copy of a 
 despfatch from Vice- Admiral Sir H. Keppel, on the subject of the outrages committed at 
 Yang-diow on British subjects, and the hostile feeling exhibited towards them at Chin- 
 kiang, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to state for the 
 iirfbrmation of the Earl of Clarendon, that it appears from the reports of Her Majesty's 
 MitHster in China, and of Mr. Medhurst, Her Majesty's Consul at Shanghae, that they 
 mainly attribute the failure of obtaining compliance with the demand made on the 
 Yieeroy of Nanking for satisfaction on account of these outrages, to the fact of Com- 
 mander Bush, of Her Majesty's Ship "Einaldo," having suddenly left Nanking in that 
 sloop on the 12th August and returned to Shanghae. 
 
 On perusal of the papers, my Lords do not find that Mr. Medhurst made any 
 protest to Commander Bush against the withdrawal of Her Majesty's ship " Einaldo " 
 from Nanking, and Sir Henry Keppel states that the Commander was suffering from 
 dysentery to a degree which did not admit of his removal to another ship, and that he 
 has since been invalided for the preservation of his life ; but their Lordships will make 
 further inquiry as to the exact circumstances under which he arrived at the decision to 
 take the ship back to Shanghae. 
 
 But assuming that Mr. Medhurst's statement is entirely correct, my Lords would 
 observe, for Lord Clarendou's consideration, whether this case would not seem to point 
 out t%at it may be advisable for the future that Consular authorities should be cautioned 
 not to call upon the Commanders of Her Majesty^s ships of war, which may be within 
 
65 
 
 their reach, for the purpose of coercing local authorities, except in cases of emergency 
 in which life or property may be in immediate danger. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. Gt. EOMAmE. 
 
 No. 20. 
 
 Acting Vice-Consul Forrest to Lord Stanley. — {Received January 24, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, November 24, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour, to forward for the information of your Lordship copy of 
 Mr. Medhurst's despatch of the 21st instant, and inclosures to Sir E. Alcock, K.C.B., 
 reporting having received full satisfaction with respect to the Huai-kuan Barrier 
 question. 
 
 (Signed) ' R.' J. FOEREST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 20. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 gir Yang-chow, November 21, 1868. 
 
 REFERRING to my despatch of yesterday's date reporting my proceedings in 
 reference to the Yang-chow outrage case, I have now much sasisfaction in acquainting 
 your Excellency that I have been equally fortunate in obtaining full compensation for the 
 unjustifiable action of the Superintendent of Customs at the Huai-kuan Barrier. 
 
 Immediately after the conclusion of the interview with the Commissioners upon the 
 subject of the Yang-chow affair, I addressed a letter to Lin, the Taoutae of Huai-an-foo, 
 requesting him to meet me for the purpose of adjusting the Huai-kuan claims, as had 
 been directed by the Viceroys, Ma and Tseng. I herewith inclose translation of my 
 letter. This communication I sent under flying seal to Ying Taoutae, the second 
 Commissioner here, with a request that he would forward it, conjecturing that he would 
 busy himself to see that as little time as possible was lost in complying with my demand. 
 The result proved that I was not far wrong in this supposition. Ying Taoutae excused 
 himself from sending on the despatch on the plea that he had a better plan to propose, 
 whereby time and trouble might be economized. This was nothing less than that he 
 should find the means of paying the compensation himself and recovermg it from the 
 Superintendent at his leisure. , ^ • tt 
 
 I had previously held more than one anxious conference with Captain Heneage as to 
 the practicability of ascending the canal as far as Huai-an, and he had informed me that 
 the reports which he had received from the Commander of the "Dove" as to the 
 condition of the Grand Canal, above this were such as to discourage him from attempting 
 the vbyage save under a most pressing necessity. To make the attempt with boats and 
 a few men he very rightly judged to be highly inexpedient after the important and 
 practical demonstration which had been made thus far. Onder these circumstances 
 Ying Taoutae's oflFer appeared to us both to present a most happy method oi arriving at 
 a practical solution of the difficulty, and I accordingly closed with it forthwith. 
 
 The Huai-kuan claims are set forth in the documents which accompany this 
 despatch. Ying Taoutae, after a brief examination, accepted them as they stood, merely 
 suggesting the deduction of 50 taels from the expense incurred by Messrs. Carnie and 
 Michie in proceeding in search of their goods, and some small items for jade rings, &c., 
 charged by the Chinese. These I acquiesced in, and the actual amount agreed to is 
 shown in the accompanying letter addressed byme to Ymg, from which it will be 
 likewise obseiTcd that the money has been duly paid. 
 
 Allowing every consideration for the natural anxiety felt by _ Ymg to assist his 
 coUeao-ue at Huai-an towards a speedy settlement of the question at issue, and to obviate 
 the necessity of any further detention of the force at Yang-chow than is positively 
 necessary I consider that Ying deserves every credit for the courage which he has 
 Pxhibited in thus taking upon himself a serious pecuniary responsibity, and 1 trust 
 vJur Excellency will not object to bring his conduct in the matter to the favourable 
 notice of the proper authorities at Peking. It is only just to Ying, moreover, that I 
 [143] 
 
66 
 
 should take this opportunity of recording my opinion that to his wise counsels with Vice- 
 roys Tseng and Ma, based upon his better experience of foreigners and their ways, that 
 I o^ve much of the ready and unqualified submission which they yielded to the pressure 
 that was exercised upon them. His influence at this place, too, has in been every way for 
 the best. Li, his co-Commissioner, I soon found to be one of those silly, apathetic men 
 so common amongst the Chinese official class, and had I no better material to work 
 upon than Li and the local magistrates, I should certainly have been able to effect 
 nothing without using more of threatening and invective than I cared to employ. 
 
 The punishment of the late Superintendent of the Huai-kuan Barrier for the share he 
 undoubtedly had in supporting the illegal proceedings of his underlings, I must leave your 
 Excellency to effect through the authorities to whom he is amenable at Peking. As 
 regards the present incumbent and his future acts, I a^jprehend that the heavy mulct 
 which has been exacted will prove to be a sufficient warning to him not to interfere 
 unnecessarily with foreigners and their property when proceeding legitimately past the 
 barrier. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in ]S"o. 20. 
 Consul Medhurst to the Taoutae Lin. 
 
 Sir, Yang-chow, November 17, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, copy of a communication 
 which I have received from their Excellencies Tseng and Ma on the subject of the claims 
 preferred by British subjects for compensation on account of losses sustained through the 
 illegal detention of their goods and servants at the Huai-kuan Barrier. 
 
 The claims are stated in an annex tg this letter, and detailed statements thereof 
 can be furnished if necessary. Meanwhile, I have arrived at this city in company with 
 Captain Heneage, of Her Majesty's Eoyal Navy, who has under his command two gun- 
 boats and a force of 300 men, for the purpose of adjusting the difficulty which has 
 arisen out of the outrage committed upon British subjects in August last, and we are 
 prepared either to meet you here or at Huai-kuan, in order to receive the compensation 
 in question. In the latter event, it will be necessary for you to order suitaljle quarters 
 to be prepared for our reception, and that of the force above-mentioned at Huai-an-foo. 
 
 You will much oblige me by giving an early answer to this communication, as 
 Viceroy Tseng has placed in our hands the steamer "Tienche" as a guarantee for the 
 fulfilment of all the objects of the present mission, and we are anxious to return the 
 vessel as soon as possible. 
 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Memorandum of Claims. 
 
 Taels. 
 First claim by Mr. Canny, for manufactures detained, as already recorded in letter 
 
 toTingFutai _.. .. .. .. .. .. . . 227 76 
 
 Second claim by same individual for manufactures detained . . . . . . 201 -bS 
 
 Third claim by same individual, on account of lily-flowers detained .. .. 126 '61 
 
 Claim for losses and expenses sustained by Mr. Canny's shroff . . . . 316 '49 
 
 872 69 
 
 Besides the above, I shall have to require some compensation to be made to 
 Mr. Canny's shroff and boatman for the punishment which was inflicted upon them, 
 and likewise upon Mr. Bean's shroff for the losses and punishment to which he was 
 subjected. All the necessary facts are already known to the high authorities through 
 Tsai Taoutae, of Chin-kiang. 
 
 There, moreover, appear to be some goods missing in consequence of the sudden 
 and violent abduction of . These must be found, or their value, amounting to 
 
 896 taels, will have to be made good. 
 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
67 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 20. 
 Memorandum of Losses sustained at the Huai-huan Barrier. 
 
 (Eo. 1.) 
 
 C. F. E. Allen, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty's Consulate, Chin-kiang. 
 
 Sir, Chin-kiang, November 6, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour of informing you that, on the 31st August last, I applied for 
 and ohtained a transit cei;tificate to Tsing-kiang-foo for the following goods sent me by 
 Messrs. Gribh, Livingston, and Co., and that, in consequence of my shroff having been 
 illegally imprisoned by the mandarins in that district, I have lost sight of them. 
 Their value is : — 
 
 Ch. taels. 
 500 pieces grey shirtings, at 2 taels 40 m. per piece . . . . . . . . 1,200 
 
 250 4oz. handkercHefs, at 8 m. per doz. . . . . . . . . . . 200 
 
 12 pieces crape lastings, at 8 taels 50 m. per piece . . . . . . . . 102 
 
 Less sycee received 
 
 1,502 
 606 
 
 896 
 
 The man has been subjected to flogging and treated very severely, and as he is still 
 detained a prisoner may I beg you will be pleased to effect his release, and recover the 
 goods or their value. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) W. BEAN". 
 
 (No. 2.) 
 
 Memorandum of Moneys extorted from my Shroff during his detention at the 
 
 Huai-kuan Barrier. 
 
 Expenses of quarters at San Tang Huen's yamen ; — 
 Paid to Cha 
 
 Amounts paid to police and gaolers, extorted . . 
 Cost of clothes, tteir own having been taken away 
 Chow-chow in yam^n 
 
 Paid police sent in charge of men from San Yang Hsien to Pao Ting 
 Ditto from Pao Ting to Tang-chow . 
 Cost of messengers and boats to here 
 Ditto from here . . 
 
 Detention of cargo-boat 35 days, at 1,500 per day 
 Ching Kiang Pu Btok orders stolen . 
 
 Total 
 
 Cash 433,500, at 64 per 1,000 , . 
 
 Clothes stolen: — 
 
 1 long silk coat, and 1 short ditto 
 1 pair shoes and 1 cap 
 1 jade ring 
 
 Exchange at 73 
 
 Chm-'Hang, November 7, 1868. 
 
 (B 
 
 and 0. B.) 
 
 Cash. 
 170,000 
 36,000 
 14,000 
 45,000 
 22,000 
 25,000 
 37,000 
 20,000 
 52,500 
 12,000 
 
 • • 
 
 433,500 
 
 • • 
 
 Ch. taels 
 277-44 
 
 ^ c. 
 
 17 
 
 1 50 
 
 35 
 
 
 53 50 
 
 39-5 
 
 316-49 
 
 For J. M. Canny, 
 (Signed) F. CAENIE. 
 
 . K 2 
 
68 
 
 (No. 3.) 
 
 Claim for Losses incurred in consequence of Detention of Goods at the Huai-kuan 
 
 Barrier. 
 
 Ch. taels. Cts. 
 17 bales (850 pieces) grey shirtings, received per " Eona," 9th October (10 bales 
 
 sold 30th October, 7 bales 6th November), 10 bales (500 pieces) worth 
 
 1,150 taels, on which interest for 21 days at 12 per cent, per annum was lost 
 7 bales (350 pieces) worth 777 taels, on which interest for 28 days at 12 per cent. 
 
 was lost . 
 Loss of market on these 7 bales (350 pieces) ; on 9th October they were worth 
 
 2 taels 22 c. per piece. Sold 6th November, 2 taels 18 e. per piece. Loss 
 
 4 c. per piece 
 25 bales (1,250 pieces) grey shirtings, received per " Hirado" 12th October. 
 
 Interest on ditto, 2,762 taels 50 c. for 12 days, at 12 per cent, per annum 
 15 bales (750 pieces) worth, 12th October, 2 taels 21 c. per piece. Sold, 
 
 24th October, 2 taels 18 c. per piece. Loss, 3 c. per piece 
 20 pieces (1,000 pieces) grey shirtings, ex " Timsin," 16th October, worth, on 
 
 16th October, 2 taels 22 c. per piece. Sold, 24th October, at 2 taels 18 c. 
 
 per piece. Loss, 4 c. per piece 
 
 Expenses of Mr. Carnie's and Mr. Michie's journey to Tseng Kiang-foo, including 
 loss of time, &c. . . . . . . 
 
 201 83 
 
 N.B. — This trip enabled me to dispose of a quantity of goods, which would otherwise haTe increased my 
 claim, five boats and a large number of men were engaged. 
 
 (E. and 0. E.) 
 Chin-kiang, November 7, 1868. 
 
 For J. M. Canny, 
 (Signed) F. CARl^IE. 
 
 7 
 
 28 
 
 7 
 
 15 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 90 
 
 22 
 
 50 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 101 
 
 83 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 (No. 4.) 
 
 Claim for Loss of Market and detention of Huai-kwan Barrier, near Chmg-chiang-pu, 
 of a cargo of Dried Lily-flowers, coming down under transit-pass to this port. 
 
 Ch. taels Cts. 
 198 piculs 49 catties dried lily flowers, costing 754 taels 26 c. Interest for 
 
 thirty-five days' detention, at 1 per cent, per month . . , . . . 8 68 
 
 Selling weight, 180 piculs 20 catties, allowing for cargo drying on voyflge 4 piculs, 
 
 leaves a loss in weight of 14 piculs 29 catties, at 5 taels 10 c. . . . . 72 88 
 
 Loss of market on 180 piculs 20 catties, sold at 4 taels 85 c. ; market price a 
 
 month ago being 5 taels 10 c. Difference 25 c. per picul ,. ..45 5 
 
 (E. and 0. E.) 126 61 
 
 Chiri'kiang, November 14, 1868. 
 
 For J, M. Canny, 
 (Signed) F. CARNIE. 
 
 (No. 5.) 
 List of Lost Articles belonging to Mr. Brown's shroff, Chin-yii-ting. 
 
 1 long shirt, grey Hoo-chow silk (double). 
 
 1 blue quilted long robe, lined with Hoo-chow silk. 
 
 1 light blue Ningpo satin double jacket. 
 
 1 rice coloured (yellowish) Hoo-chow silk outer trousers. 
 
 1 pouch containing hunting- watch, value 35 dollars, one toothpick, and 12 dollars in cash. 
 
 1 folding-fan, in case. 
 
 1 jade atone armlet, value 20 dollars. 
 
^" ' 69 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 20. 
 Consul Medhurst to Taoutae Ying. 
 
 Sir, Yang-chow, November 20, 1868. 
 
 I IEA.VE received your note of the 19th instant, in which, in the absence of the 
 Huai Yang Taoutae, you take upon yourself the responsibility of adjusting the claims for 
 compensation which I have preferred against the Superintendent of the Hai-kuan 
 Barrier; I have likewise to acknowledge the payment of 872-69 taels on Mr. Canny's 
 account, of 58-40 taels on Yen S^tt-tang's, and Chin Yu-ting's account, of 43-80 taels 
 also on Chin Yu-teng's account, and of 896 taels on Mr. Bean's account, making in all 
 1,870-89 taels. 
 
 The amount first named is in excess of that agreed upon by us together on the 18th 
 instant, by 6277 taels, which represent, if you remember, two deductions, viz., 50 taels 
 from Mr. Canny's account, and 1277 taels from Yen Sen-tang's account. I therefore hold 
 myself indebted to you in that sum, and I inclose a debit note accordingly, which shall 
 be cashed by me at Chin-'kiang on presentation there, through Tsai Taoutae. Should a 
 surplus in your favour appear upon the shroffage of these moneys at Chin-kiang, I like- 
 wise hold myself liable to make it good to you. 
 
 The 896 taels I accept on the conditions named in your note, but subject to the 
 further qualification which we agreed to on the 18th instant, and which you appear to 
 have forgotten, namely, that should the goods not be recovered within twenty days' time, 
 the money must be considered as conclusively forfeited. I inclose my conditional debit 
 note for this amount accordingly. 
 
 These payments, together with the trial and punishment of the underlings of the 
 Huai-kwan Barrier Superintendent, will suffice for the adjustment of the question at 
 issue. I must, however, yet look to you to state to me the nature of the penalty awarded 
 to these men. The reprehensible conduct of the Superintendent himself, I shall request 
 Her Majesty's Minister to bring to the notice of the Supreme Government. 
 
 I have much pleasure in adding my hearty acknowledgments to yourself personally 
 for the energetic measures you have taken to secure the adjustment of this very trouble- 
 some affair. I shall not fail to bring your services to the notice of Her Majesty's 
 Minister at Peking. 
 
 (Signed) ' W.' H. MEDHURST. 
 
 E"o. 21. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Lord Stanley. — (Received January 24, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, December 4, 1868. 
 
 FOR the information of your Lordship, I have the honour to inclose copies of my 
 despatches to his Excellency Her Majesty's Minister, dated the 26th November and 
 2nd instant, reporting the satisfactory termination of my mission to Yang-chow, and my 
 return to my post. 
 
 I J1RY6 &C 
 
 (Signed) ' W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 21. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Yang-chow, November 26, 1868. 
 
 MY despatches of the 20th and 21st instant have already placed your Excellency in 
 possession of all my proceedings in this city up to those dates. They stated how the 
 redress requisite in the Yang-chow matter had, with the exception of some subordinate 
 details, been duly accorded by the authorities, and how, in the Huai-kuan Barrier case, full 
 compensation had been made for the damage which had been sustained. 
 
 The details in connection with the Yang-chow affair, a memorandum of which will be 
 foutid in Inclosure 6 of my despatch of the 20th instant, have, with one exception, that of 
 
70 
 
 the apprehension and punishment of the man Ko, been carried into effect. The Com- 
 missioners and local authorities pledged themselves that Ko should be relentlessly- 
 pursued until found and brought to trial ; but as I could not very well accept such a pledge 
 as sufficient under the circumstances, whilst an indefinite detention of my material 
 guarantee would have proved embarrassing to us, as it would have been unfair to them, 
 I proposed that a reasonable sum in sycee, say 6,000 taels, should be lodged with me as 
 a guarantee that every appliance in the power of the local authorities should be used 
 towards securing the man's ultimate apprehension, and that in the event of the failure of 
 these authorities to produce him within the time prescribed by law for the discovery of 
 such offenders, they should be reported to the Empdror for dismissal from office. This 
 proposition was, after some trouble, agreed to, and Ying Taoutae finding the money, 
 it was paid to me yesterday evening, and the steamer's release granted accordingly. I 
 inclose a translation of the receipt which I have given for the sum pledged. I likewise 
 append translation of the Commissioners' final letter, in which the sentence passed upon 
 two of the condemned men is plainly stated. 
 
 In the Huai-kuan Barrier case, the compensation had no sooner been made than a 
 new complication arose, much to my annoyance and to that of the Commissioners, in the 
 alleged further detention of fifty-nine bales of merchandize belonging to the same firm. 
 I lost no time in notifying the Commissioners that Captain Heneage and myself had 
 come to the conclusion that a personal visit to the barrier presented the only effectual 
 method of releasing the goods and preventing a repetition of such unjustifiable proceedings 
 on the part of the Superintendent, and I applied officially for boats to be provided for the 
 conveyance of the entire force on the 27th instant. This had the effect of eliciting 
 a letter from the Commissioners, copy of which I have the honour to inclose. On 
 comparing this letter with Mr. Canny's Memoranda, I found that but thirty-three of the 
 detained bales were amongst those represented to have been passed. At the same time 
 there was no evidence forthcoming to show that the remainder had not passed since the 
 date of the Superintendent's communication, and as it seemed highly improbable, upon 
 the face of it, that the Superintendent would continue to detain goods after the distinct 
 pledge given, and after having been informed of the mulct which had been already paid 
 upon his account, I, after consultation with Captain Heneage, decided upon accepting 
 the Commissioners' letter as decisive, and the expedition was countermanded accordingly. 
 Should I prove to have been in any way deceived, I have protected myself against the risk 
 by a clause which will be observed in. my receipt, and by which I shall be empowered, if 
 necessary, to sequester any portion of the amount in hand I may think fit. 
 
 I may thus, I think, pronounce the objects of the Mission to have been entirely 
 fulfilled, and I trust that the results of my efforts may proye as acceptable to your 
 Excellency as they are satisfactory to myself. The success which has attended them is, 
 I honestly feel, mainly due to the energetic and efficient co-eperation which I have 
 throughout received from Captain Heneage. No obstacle has daunted him, no detail 
 has wearied him ; but he has followed me in the negotiation from beginning to end, even 
 into its most vexatious minutiae, with a helpful counsel and strong support which have 
 been invaluable to me. Captain Heneage also merits at your Excellency's hands high 
 praise for the masterly manner in which he has placed a body of more than 300 men at 
 this distance from tlie squadron, and for the perfect discipline which he has maintained 
 in the force throughout its fourteen days' stay on shore. The latter feature has been so 
 remarkable as to attract the observation and approbation of the Chinese authorities, and 
 I need scarcely point out how the slightest laxity in discipline might have irritated 
 the people, and thus have worked prejudice to the very interests which it was our object 
 to promote. 
 
 I also have the honour to bring to your Excellency's favourable notice the conduct 
 of Messrs. Stronach and Allen during their attendance on this special service. It has 
 been such as to confirm all previously recorded reports of their efficieney and attention 
 to duty. 
 
 In order to inform the public generally of the results which have thus been attained 
 I have taken upon myself to issue a l«j"otification, copy of winch I inclose, and I trust its 
 tenour may have your approval. 
 
 A Memorandum of all the expenses attending the Mission shall be submitted as soon 
 as the accounts can be closed and made up. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
71 
 
 Inclosure 2 in E^o. 21. 
 Receipt. 
 
 I HEREBY acknowledge to have received from his Excellency the Taoutae Ying the 
 sum of 6,000 taels. Treasury weight, to be lodged Avith the Hong Kong and Shanghae 
 Banking Corporation, returnable under certain conditions, viz. : that, in case of failure 
 on . the part of the Yang-chow authorities to arrest the civilian Ko within the term 
 allowed by Chinese law for the arrest of persons guilty of robbery, the said authorities 
 shall be reported to the Throne ; if Ko be arrested before this term expires, the money 
 will be returned at once. 
 
 The retention of the above guarantee is in any case subject to the approval of Her 
 Majesty's Minister. 
 
 The steamer " Tien-chi " is hereby returned in sign of the conclusion of the 
 case. 
 
 It is understood that any losses caused by further detention of goods at the Huai- 
 kuan Barrier shall be made good out of this sum. 
 
 Signed at Yang-chow on the 23rd day of November, 1868. 
 
 (Signed) W. H^ MEDHURST, Consul 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 21. 
 
 Commissioner Li and Taoutae Ying to Consul Medhurst. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, Yang-chow, November 14, 1868. 
 
 WITH reference to the outrage upon the Mission-house at Yang-chow, we have 
 the honour to inform you that Lin ch'un has been sentenced as ringleader in a malicious 
 attempt at arson to the punishment accorded by law, that is, two months' cangue, and 
 banishment of the third degree ;* Chang Chin-chun is sentenced, as having been 
 accessory, to two months' cangue and banishment for three years. The Magistrate has 
 been charged to report the sentences to the high authorities. 
 
 The military graduate Ko in consequence of the failure of Mr. Taylor to identify 
 him, and of the want of evidence against him, has been temporarily set at liberty under 
 bail to appear whenever required. 
 
 We have given directions to the Kan-ch'uan Magistrate to take the most careful 
 and secret measures to discover traces of the civilian Ko, and to have his constables 
 strictly enjoined to arrest him within a given date. 
 
 Able detectives have been dispersed in different directions to discover other 
 accessories to that outrage. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 21. 
 Commissioner Li and Taoutae Ying to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 ^Translation.) Yang-chow, November 24, 1868. 
 
 WB beg to inform you that we received at noon this day a despatch from Lieli, 
 Superintendent of Customs at Huai-kuan, in reply to ours, calling on him forthwith to 
 release fifty-nine bales of piece-goods belonging to Mr. Canny, and to undertake, in his 
 public despatch in reply, that no infraction of the Treaty shall ever occur again. 
 
 The despatch runs as follows : — 
 
 "On the 17th October, when I took over charge of this office, I gave peremptory 
 orders to the clerks and other underlings in all barrier stations under nay control, that, 
 whenever goods covered by a Chin-kiang transit certificate arrived at their stations, they 
 are immediately, without the slightest detention, to be passed on. Since then, 1 received 
 copies of the Treaty and Regulations from your deputy, Hu, and I at once shaped my 
 conduct in accordance with them. On the 21st instant I was informed by Lin, Taoutae, 
 that some piece-goods were under detention ; but, on investigation, I found that two lots, 
 both belonging to Mr. Canny, had passed the barrier, one on the 13th November, and 
 one on the I7th. On receipt of your despatch I again took pains to have inquiries made, 
 and the result is that no boat containing foreign piece-goods is found to be detained. I 
 forward a list of boats and their cargoes which passed on the 20th November. I 
 
 * i.e., to the nearest frontier, to be slave to the military. 
 
72 
 
 undertake that, in future, the Treaty and Regulations shall be carefully adhered to, and 
 tbat no infraction thereof shall ever occur again. I desire you will be so good as to 
 communicate the above to the British Consul." 
 
 "VYe append the list of goods passed on the 20th November, and, in return, beg that 
 the document by which the steamer was placed in your hands may be forwarded to us to 
 enable us to report the definitive conclusion of the case. 
 
 List of Goods passed on the 20th JJTovember, 
 
 Grey sbirtinga, u bales (250 pieces). 
 
 Mr. Bean, „ 8 „ (400 „ ) Chin-cliaug-pu. 
 
 Mr. Canny „ 3 „ (150 ., ) Hsu-chow. 
 
 „ „ 3 „ (150 „ ) Cliin-chiang-pu. 
 
 „ „ 4 „ (200 „ ) Hsu-chow. 
 
 J! J, ' ,, (350 ., ) „ 
 
 7'-clolhs 1 „ ( 50 ,. ) 
 
 „ Grey shirtiags, 7 „ (350 „ ) Chiu-ehiang-pu. 
 
 3 „ (150 „ ) 
 
 ,, „ 5 „ (250 ., ) Hsu-chow. 
 „ 1 „ (50 ;, ). 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 21. 
 
 Notification. 
 
 Yang-chow, November 2,6, 18G8. 
 THE Undersigned has much satisfaction in announcing, for general information, 
 that a due measure of redress has been afforded for the outrage committed upon British 
 subjects in this city in August last, and that the Huai-kuan and Chin-kiang difficulties 
 have been satisfactorily adjusted. 
 
 In the matter of Yang-chow, the local authorities who held office at the date 
 of the outrage have been dismissed, and indemnity has been paid on account of 
 the losses and injuries sustained by the missionaries, their servants, and their native 
 friends, as follows : — 
 
 Taels c. 
 Losses of missionaries and servants, inclusive of repairs to premises . . . 1,128 40 
 
 Injuries (subject to opinion of Her Majesty's Minister as regards increase or 
 
 decrease of amoiuit) . . . . . . , . . . . . 500 
 
 Chinese landlord and carpenter, 270 dollars 90 c. . . . . . . . . 197 75 
 
 1,826 15 
 
 A proclamation by the Viceroys Tseng and Ma, and Futai Ting, has likewise been 
 extensively promulgated, and another by the Commissioners Li and Ying (translations of 
 which are appended ; a large and handsome stone tablet has been erected upon 
 Mr. Taylor's premises bearing a cautionary inscription (a translation of which is also 
 annexed) ; the missionary party, including the female members, have been invited back 
 and formally reinstated ; two of the ringleaders in the riot (one of them recognized by 
 Mr. Taylor as the individual who robbed the ladies and led the plunderers up-stairs) have 
 been sentenced, one to the cangue for two months and banishment into slavery for life 
 on the frontier, and the other to the cangue for two months and banishment for three years ; 
 and a sum of 6,000 taels has been lodged in the hands of the Undersigned as a guarantee 
 that a literary graduate named Ko, who has absconded (the sole member of the gentry 
 against whom any positive evidence has been forthcoming), shall be produced and duly 
 punished by the local authorities within the time specified by law for the discovery of 
 such offenders, failing which the local authorities themselves are to be dismissed from 
 office. 
 
 As regards the Huai-kuan barrier, compensation has been made on account of losses 
 sustained by the British subjects concerned, as well as on account of the losses and 
 injuries sustained by their servants, as follows : — 
 
 Compensation to Mr. Canny . . 
 Compensation to his shroff for losses and expenses 
 Compensatioa-to Mr. Bean's shroff, for losses 
 
 C^npensation to Mr. Canny's and Mr. Bean's shroffs, for ill-usage . , 
 Compensation to Mr. Bean for value of goods lost sight of, to be refunded 
 provided said goods are produced within a given time , 
 
 1,808 12 
 
 Taels c. 
 
 506 20 
 
 303 72 
 
 43 80 
 
 58 40 
 
 896 
 
- 73 
 
 The guarantee of 6,000 taels above referred to is likewise to be held liable, during 
 its retention, for any further damages which the Superintendent of the Huai-kuan 
 barrier may be proved to have occasioned in contravention of the Treaty. 
 
 In connection with Chin-kiang, the only difficulty experienced was m the peaceable 
 occupation of certain premises rented by Mr. Taylor within the city walls, ihese Have 
 been duly made over to him, and a lease formally signed and recorded. 
 
 The satisfactory solution of difficulties, which at one time assumed very serious pro- 
 portions, is mainly due to the hearty co-operation of Her Majesty's Senior Eaval Utticer, 
 but for whose energy in taking up the matter in the first instance, and perseverance in 
 carrying it through to the end, a less happy result might have been looked for 
 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHUJioi, 
 
 Her Britannic Majesty's Consul. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Ma, Governor-General of the Two Kiang and Imperial Commissioner for Foreign 
 
 Trade, &c. ; Tseng, lately Acting Imperial Commissioner for Foreign Irade ana 
 
 Governor-General of the Two Kiang, &c. ; Ting, Governor of Kiang-su, hereby 
 
 issue a proclamation for general information. 
 
 Whereas the preaching of religion is sanctioned by Treaty, and all persons are 
 at Uberty to become proselytes thereto, according as it suits their convenience, without 
 compulsion either for or against. _ j •1-4. f 
 
 We therefore issue this proclamation to give the population, civil and mihtary, ot 
 these districts to know that it is required of them that they carefully observe the Treaty 
 which has been concluded by Our Most Gracious Sovereign the Emperor, and that they 
 must not annoy religious establishments nor raise pretexts for disturbance, nor must 
 they treat foreign travellers with wanton disrespect. Every wilful offender will certainly 
 be visited with heavy punishment, without hope of pardon. 
 
 Obey with trembling. 1 >, u +• 
 
 A special Proclamation issued on the 27th day of the 9th month of the 7th year ot 
 Tung Chih (11th November, 1868). 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Notice to be engraved on Stone Tablet and placed within Mr. Taylor's premises at 
 
 Yang-chow. 
 
 The Prefect of Yang-chow. 
 
 Whereas this house has been rented by the British subject Taylor under the 
 sanction of his Consul and of the local authorities. 
 
 l!^"o idle or improper persons are allowed to enter and create a disturbance. Offenders 
 will be arrested and punished. 
 
 Obey with trembling. 
 
 A special notice. Obey. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Li, Commissioner of the Salt Gabelle, &c. ; and Ying, Taoutae of Shanghae, Superin-- 
 tendent of Kiang-nan Maritime Customs, &c., hereby issue a Proclamation for 
 general information. 
 
 Whereas we have received the instructions of their Excellencies the high Ministers 
 for foreign trade, Ma and Ts^ng, to adjust matters at Yang-chow, we find that on the 
 22nd day of August, 1868, evil-disposed persons excited the people of Yang-chow to enter 
 the house rented by the British subject Taylor and others, and violently assault and 
 plunder the inmates, so as to lead to their eventual ejection from the premises, some of 
 them in a seriously wounded condition; and whereas the local authorities were clearly 
 guilty of havihg neglected to avert the evil in the first instance, it therefore became the 
 duty of the high authorities, after clear examination into the circumstances, to order the 
 degradation of the city officials, the condign punishment of the ringleaders, the grant of 
 due compensation to the sufferers, the repair of the house, and the restoration of its 
 former inmates. 
 
 All this having been done as a matter of simple justice, it now becomes our further duty 
 to issue a public Proclamation, and this Proclamation is therefore issued for the purpose of 
 [143] ^ 
 
74 
 
 making it clearly understood to all men, high and low, that British subjects possess the 
 liberty to enter the inner land for the pursuit of their lawful purposes, under a Treasty 
 granted by His Mo&t Gracious Majesty the Emperor, and that any one who presumes to 
 insult or annoy such persons, in any way, shall meet with condign punishment. Local 
 authorities everywhere, moreover, are to see that they extend due protection to British 
 subjects who may have occasion to appeal to them for assistance or redress. 
 
 Let all tremblingly obey. 
 
 A special Proclamation issued on the 15th day of the 10th moon of the 7th year of 
 Timg Chih (18th lS"ovember, 1868). 
 
 Inclosure 6 in Ko. 21. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, December 2, 1868. 
 
 IN continuation of my despatch dated at Yang-chow the 26th ultimo, I have the 
 honour to report that I left that city on the 28th of November, distributed the several 
 sums paid as indemnity as I passed through Chin-kiang on the 30th, and returned to ray 
 post here on the 1 st instant. 
 
 "Whilst at Chin-kiang I was informed that the few bales regarding the continued 
 detention of which at Hnai-kuan there had appeared to be some doubt, had all been 
 passed on since the date of the Superintendent's letter of apology, a translation of 
 which formed Inclosure No. 3 in the despatch above alluded to. 
 
 Before taking my final departure from Yang-chow, a member of the French Boman 
 Catholic Mission there, whom I happened to have a conversation with, called my attention 
 to the fact that the Proclamation which had been issued by the Commissioners was so 
 exclusively directed towards the toleration of the efforts of British missionaries in that 
 locality that, practically, it would have the eflFect of confirming an interdict which had 
 been laid upon the French Mission and Orphanage by the literati simultaneously with 
 their attack upon Mr. Taylor's Mission. Feeling convinced, upon reflection, that it 
 would be inexpedient, even in our own interests, to leave it in doubt that the persons 
 and privileges of foreigners generally were to be respected, and being naturaly anxious 
 to assist the subjects of a friendly State as far as lay in my power, I presented the 
 missionary with a sealed copy of the Viceroy's Proclamation (see Inclosure 3 in despatch 
 of the 20th of November last) for exhibition in his own premises, and procured for him 
 the local authorities' ofiicial order declaring the admission of orphans into the French 
 establishments to be lawful and right. This, with what has previously been done in the 
 interest of the British missionaries, will, I trust, have the effect of rendering toleration 
 of all foreigners and their religions an understood thing throughout Yang-chow. At 
 Huai-gan, the neighbouring. Fu to the northward, I regret to say the Roman Catholic 
 missionaries at pre3ent find the city gates persistently closed against them. But this is a 
 subject, I believe, which is now pending reference to His Imperial Majesty's Minister ; 
 and apart from this I could not very well have made a special point of it in my 
 negotiations with the Commissioners, seeing that I had no acquaintance with the merits 
 of the question in dispute, and was in possession of no instructions to prefer any demands 
 in reference thereto. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHUEST. 
 
 No. 22. 
 
 The Secretary to the. Admiralty to Mfi Hammond.-^{Recewed Jwmiary 25.) 
 
 Su^, Admiralty^ January 23, 1869.. 
 
 WITH r«fei?feace' to' Admiraltly- letter of the 19th instant, I am commanded by my^ 
 Louds^ Goaimi^sioners- of the AdtlliraKy to send you herewith, for the information, of the. 
 Eaflof Clareiad^ni a copy of a letter dated the 22nd' instant, from Commander Bush, late 
 of Her Mi^esty's sli^op " Riilaldt);" explaining the circumstances under which he withdrew, 
 tkat sloop- ffbm Nanking on thte I^h August last, whilst negotiations were pendiBLg 
 resfkeetiftg the ou^f age perpetuated by Chinese tipon English missionaries Jiving atTang- 
 cbo#. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN HENEY BEICtaS. 
 
73 
 
 Inclosure in No. 22. 
 Commander Bush to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, London, January 22, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE tlie honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, 
 inclosing copies of letters from Sir Rutherford Alcock and Mr. Medhurst respecting the 
 outrage perpetrated hy Chinese upon some ♦English missionaries living at Chang- 
 chow. In compliance with their Lordships directions, I beg to offer the following 
 explanation : — 
 
 In the beginning of September, 1868, I received a letter from Mr. Medhurst, asking 
 Die if I could send him a guard to Chin-ldang, to escort him to Tang-chow, to protect 
 him from insult or injury whilst he visited the house lately occupied by the missionaries, 
 and, if possible, he would be glad of my presence and advice. 
 
 As I had previously received a requisition from Sir Rutherford Alcock for a gun- 
 boat, or some other vessel to accompany Mr. Medhurst to Fankin respecting the working 
 of some coal-mines, and considering that a guard unsupported by the presence of a man- 
 of-war might induce an attack from a disorderly and ignorant mob, which would have 
 brought about the gravest complications, I determined to take the " Rinaldo " to Chin- 
 kiang ; although it is almost without precedent that such an important port as Shanghae 
 should ever be left even for one day without the presence of a man-of-war. 
 
 I arrived at Chin-kiang on the morning of the 5th of September, and in a conversa- 
 tion with Mr. Medhurst respecting the outrage, he^gave me to understand most distinctly 
 that he was acting wholly and solely on his own responsibility, I therefore put the case 
 to him, " Should the officials of Tang-chow refuse to receive us, or admit us into the city, 
 what course should we pursue ?" He replied, we should have to return, as I should not 
 be justified in forcing an entrance, or, in fact, making any hostile demonstration 
 whatever. 
 
 After visiting Tang-chow with the Consul— accompanied by a guard composed of 
 nearly the whole of the ship's company, to prevent the possibility of his being insulted by 
 the mob — I pi-oceeded on the 10th of September to iCsTankin, and on the morning of 
 the llth September, being myself unable to leave my bed, I directed Lieutenant 
 Farquharson, Senior Lieutenant of Her Majesty's ship " Rinaldo," to proceed with the 
 Consul to wait upon the Yiceroy, accompanied by a guard of honour. On their return 
 to the ship in a conversation with Mr. Medhurst he gave me to understand that the 
 Viceroy had expressed his willingness to comply with his, Mr. Medhurst's, requests,, and 
 that he, the Viceroy, would send a letter to that effect that night or the next morning. 
 
 Considering the presence of the "Rinaldo " no longer necessary, as I had protected 
 the Consul from the possibility of being insulted at Tang-chow, I determined to return 
 to Shanghae, having offered to remain if Mr. Medhurst considered the presence of the 
 ''Rinaldo" necessary. He told me that the ship remaining would do no good, but that 
 he should wait for the lettevifromithe Viceroy in a -house-boat belonging to a Mr. Canny, 
 Acting Vice-Consul. 
 
 At the time of my withdrawing the " Rinaldo " from Nanking, it never entered- my 
 head that the presence siniply of a small man-of-war could have the slightest effeet in 
 influencing the action of the Viceroy of Nanking, one of the most important functiontoies 
 in the Chinese Empire, and who has been for years intimately acquainted with 
 foreigners. 
 
 Under no circumstances whatever would I have allowed the ship under my command 
 to be used as a threat to compel a compliance to the Consul's request, however just, 
 withbut an official communication from the Minister at Peking, or from my own; superior 
 officer. 
 
 In this case I did not consider there was any urgency, as communication with- 
 Peking was frequent and uninterrupted. Had Mr. Medhurst considered the presence of 
 the " Rinaldo " absolutely necessary, an official communication to that effect would have 
 ensured it, and explained my absence from Shanghae to my Commander-in-chief. 
 
 Events have proved that the Viceroy only yielded to the Consul's requests when 
 backed by a considerable naval force, whose first act was to seize a valuable steamer 
 belonging to him. 
 
 I have not the slightest doubt that had I made any hostile demonstration whatever 
 with the very small force at my command, his Excellency woidd have complied with eq«al 
 readiness, and I should have deservedly lost my commission for making war with China 
 on my own account. A very long experience in China has convinced me that the pendant 
 of the " Rinaldo " might have floated idly over the waters of Nanking for months without 
 
 Li a 
 
76 
 
 in any way influencing the sluggish and impassive natures of the Chinese officials, whilst 
 the first shell or the first seizure would have brought them at once to my feet. 
 
 Had Sir Rutherford Alcock been on board the "Rinaldo," it is probable your 
 Lordships would not have had to call upon me for an explanation. 
 
 I leave it to your Lordships' judgment if Her Majesty's ships are to be employed 
 without having sufficient authority to threaten, without the power to strike. 
 
 I llftVG &C, 
 
 (Signed) ' WILLIAM BUSH. 
 
 No. 23. 
 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, January 27, 1869. 
 
 I TRANSMIT to you herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter from the 
 Admiralty,* inclosing a copy of a letter from Commander Bush, reporting the circum- 
 stances under which he withdrew the ''Rinaldo" from Ijfanking. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDOK 
 
 m. 24. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, January 28, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to your despatches respecting the attack on British missionaries at 
 Yang-chow-foo, and to my despatch to you of the 14th instant on the same subject, 
 I transmit to you herewith a copy of a letter that I have received from the Board of 
 Admiralty, f by which you will perceive that the circumstances under which Her 
 Majesty's ship " Rinaldo " was withdrawn by her Commander from the Yang-tze-Kiang, 
 while the discussion between Consul Medhurst and the local authorities was still in 
 progress, will be fully inquired into. 
 
 The concluding paragraph of the Admiralty letter calls, however, for more specific 
 notice. The object of it is, the expediency of placing the employment of Her Majesty's 
 vessels in the ports of China for the coercion of local authorities under strict regulation. 
 
 Tou will have seen by my despatches of the 30th December, and of the 13th and 14th 
 of January, that Her Majesty's Government attach the greatest importance to this point ; 
 and I have accordingly to instruct you to explain to Her Majesty's Consuls that the 
 special purposes for which Her Majesty's ships of war are stationed in the ports of 
 China, and employed on the coasts, are to protect the floating commerce of British 
 subjects against piratical attacks in Chinese waters, to support Her Majesty's Consuls 
 m maintaining order and discipline among the crews of British vessels in the respective 
 ports, and, in cases of great emergency, to protect the lives and properties of British 
 subjects, if placed in peril by wanton attacks directed against them either on the part of 
 local authorities or by an uncontrolled popular movement. 
 
 As regards this last point. Her Majesty's Consuls must constantly bear in mind that 
 the interference of naval force, either on their representation, or on the part of naval 
 officers acting on their own estimation of facts before them, will alone receive the subse- 
 quent approval of Her Majesty's Government, when it is clearly shown that without such 
 interference the lives and properties of British subjects would, in all probability, have 
 been sacrificed ; and even in such a case Her Majesty's Government will expect to learn 
 that the alternative of receiving them on board ship, and so extricating them from 
 threatened danger, was not available. 
 
 Be)fond this the circumstances of the case must be of a very peculiar nature which 
 would be held by Her Majesty's Government to justify a recourse to force. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government cannot leave with Her Majesty's Consuls or !N"aval Officers 
 to determine for themselves what redress or reparation for wrong done to British subjects 
 is due, or by what means it should be enforced. They cannot allow them to determine 
 
 * No. 22. f No. 19. 
 
n 
 
 whether coercion is to be applied by blockade, by reprisals, by landing armed parties or 
 by acts of even a more hostile character. All such proceedings bear more or less the 
 character of acts of war, and Her Majesty's Government cannot delegate to Her 
 Majesty's servants in foreign countries the power of involvi,pg their own country in war. 
 
 My despatches to which I have referred will have enabled you to point out in 
 unmistakeable terms to Her Majesty's Consuls the course they are to pursue when an 
 emergency calling for immediate action as the sole means of protecting British life 
 and property has passed away. They must appeal to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking 
 to obtain redress through the action of the Central G-overnment ; and he, on his part 
 if he fails to obtain it, will submit the case for the judgment of Her Majesty's Government' 
 with whom alone it rests to decide as to the course to be thereupon pursued. ' 
 
 I shall furnish the Board of Admiralty with a copy of this despatch, in order that 
 they may send corresponding instructions to the Admiral in the China Seas. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 No. 25. 
 
 The Secretary to the London Missionary Society to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received 
 
 February 6.) 
 
 (Extract.) Mission House, Blomfield Street, February 5, 1869. 
 
 THEEE are two important matters which the Directors of the London Missionary 
 Society desire to submit to your Lordship's attention, and upon which they would be glad 
 to obtain your judgment at an early period:— First, as recent events in China, and the 
 visit to London of the special Chinese Embassy, have brought afresh to your Lordship's 
 notice the stipulations of the Treaties with China, and among them those clauses which 
 concern the residence and journeyings of missionaries in that Empire, — since also the 
 English communities in China have been pressing on the Government the importance of 
 increasing their privileges when the Treaty shall be revised, — the Directors of the London 
 Missionary Society would be glad to ascertain from your Lordship the views which Her 
 Majesty's Government now hold of the range within which, according to existing 
 Treaties, missionaries in general may freely move. Because, while the opportunities for 
 their usefulness have grown great and numerous, the Directors are anxious that tHe 
 operations of the missionaries of the London Missionary Society shall be so conducted as 
 in no way to embarrass Her Majesty's Government, or even inadvertently to complicate 
 the relations between the two Empires. That is the only ground on which they would 
 venture to trouble your Lordship in the matter. 
 
 No. 26. 
 Mr. Hammond to the Secretary of the London Missionary Society. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, February 10, 1869. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
 of the 5th instant, requesting his opinion in regard to certain matters in China, and New 
 Caledonia, in which the London Missionary Society is interested. 
 
 For greater convenience Lord Clarendon desires me to reserve the latter point for 
 a subsequent communication, after obtaining from Lord Lyons a report which he will be 
 called upon to furnish ; and to confine my present letter to the questions which you put 
 in regard to missionary privileges in China, and specifically as regards the right of 
 locomotion. 
 
 Lord Clarendon is glad to receive from the Society the assurance that the Directors 
 are anxious that the operations of their missionaries should be so conducted as in no way 
 to embarrass Her Majesty's Government, or even inadvertently to complicate the relations 
 between the two Empires. This assurance does honour to the Society, and entitles any 
 representations they may make to the most liberal consideration. 
 
 With the exception of the Vlllth Article of the Treaty of Tien-tsin, there is no 
 specific engagement with China which can be cited in a British Treaty as applying to 
 missionary pursuits. 
 
 That Article provides that persons teaching or professing the Christian religion shall, 
 whether Protestants or Roman Catholics, be entitled to the protection of the Chinese 
 authorities ; and while peaceably pursuing their calling, and not offending against the 
 law, shall not be persecuted or interfered with. 
 
78 
 
 Any other privileges British missionaries are entitled to enjoy in China are provided 
 for^by other Articles of the Treaty applying to British subjects generally. 
 
 Lord Clarendon is not prepared to place any abstract construction on those Treaty 
 provisions. So much must a^vays depend on the circumstances under which, and^the 
 grounds on which, Treaty privileges are claimed, that specifically to define the practical 
 extent of any such privileges, would be more likely to mislead than serve as a sure'guide 
 for action. 
 
 Lord Clarendon considers that in all cases of a doubtful nature, where a British 
 missionary desires to receive counsel or directions, his safest course would be to apply to 
 Her Majesty's Minister at Peking, and be guided by his advice. 
 
 This course is more particularly to be recommended at the present time, inasmuch 
 as it is clear that a strong feeling prevails among the authorities and people of China 
 against the establishment of mission-stations in the interior of the country ; and it would 
 be highly imprudent in missionaries to persist in disregarding the opposition either of 
 the Chinese authorities or people, and braving their animosity, however unjustifiable or 
 misplaced. 
 
 It is impossible for Her Majesty's Grovernment to protect a missionary establishment 
 in places where no Consular authority is at hand to require the local authorities to exert 
 themselves in its defence ; and it is no less impossible to suppose that the feelings of 
 Parliament would be enlisted in favour of measures of coercion to avenge a wrong done 
 to missionaries, which, even if they did not end in war^ would, for a time, at least, 
 paralyze British trade, and might be open to much question in point of justice as between 
 country and country. 
 
 The London Missionary Society can, in Lord Clarendon's opinion, render no better 
 service to their missionaries than by inculcating on them circumspection in regard to 
 their own conduct, and the utmost consideration for the feelings and character of the 
 people among whom they dwell. The missionaries will do well to follow in the wake of 
 trade, when the people have learnt to see in it material advantage to themselves, rather 
 than seek to lead the way in opening up new locations. In the former case they will 
 find people prepared to receive and listen to their {instruction ; but, in the latter, there 
 is too much reason to believe that their proffered instruction will be rejected, and their 
 persons exposed to indignity and even danger. 
 
 I am, &c, 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
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CHINA. No. 3 (1869). 
 
 OOERESPONDENCE 
 
 RESPECTING 
 
 MISSIONARY DISTUEBANCilS 
 
 AT 
 
 CHE-FOO, 
 
 AND 
 
 TAIWAN (EOEMOSA). 
 
 Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesiv, 
 
 18(J9. 
 
 JBINTBD BY HABUISON AND SONS. 
 
TABLE OP CONTENTS. 
 
 No. 
 
 1 . Sir R. Alcock 
 
 2. To London Missionary- 
 
 Society 
 
 3. London Missionary So- 
 
 ciety 
 
 4. Admiralty .. 
 
 O. )5 )> . . . . 
 
 U. •• It • • • • 
 
 8. To Admiralty 
 
 9. To Sir E. Alcock 
 10. Admiralty .• 
 
 11. Admiralty 
 
 12. Mr. Matheson 
 
 (Committee of Foreign 
 Missions of English 
 Presbyterian Church) 
 
 13. To Mr. Matheson 
 
 14. 
 
 Mr. Matheson 
 
 
 8, 
 
 15. 
 16. 
 
 To Mr. Matheson 
 Admiralty . . . . 
 
 
 12, 
 22, 
 
 17. 
 
 To Admiralty 
 
 
 23, 
 
 18. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock 
 
 Feb, 
 
 5, 
 
 15. 
 20. 
 
 To'sir R. Alcock 
 
 Apr. 
 
 11, 
 26, 
 
 Date. 
 May 21, 1868 
 
 Aug. 4, 
 
 7, 
 
 Dec. 5, 
 
 Jan. 14, 1869 
 
 Feb. 17, 
 
 22, 
 
 23, 
 
 23, 
 26, 
 
 31, 
 31, 
 
 Apr. 5, 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Page 
 
 Missionary disturbances at Taiwan and Che-foo, 
 
 in Formosa. State of feeling . . . . 1 
 
 Sending copy of above . . . . . . 3 
 
 Thanking for above. Have no missions at 
 Taiwan or Che-foo . . . . . . 3 
 
 Unsatisfactory state of affairs in Formosa. 
 Report from Vice- Admiral Sir H. Keppel . 
 
 State of affairs in Formosa. Extract from a 
 further despatch from Admiral Keppel . . 6 
 
 Proceedings taken by Lieutenant Gurdon on 
 the requisition of Acting Consul Gibson. 
 Attack and seizure of Fort Zelandia and the 
 town of Amping. Does Lord Clarendon 
 approve ? . . • . . . . . 6 
 
 Further Report on Lieutenant Gurdon's pro- 
 ceedings. Remarks on proceedings in For- 
 mosa 
 
 Reply to letter of the 17th instant. Strongly 
 disapproves Mr. Gibson's and Lieutenant 
 Gurdon's proceedings . . 
 
 Censuring Mr. Gibson's conduct, who is to 
 be removed from Formosa 
 
 Inclosing copy of instruction to Vice-Admiral 
 Keppel, relative to the proceedings in For- 
 mosa . . . . . , . . 
 
 Formosa affair. Fulfilment of all demands 
 
 Position of missions in Formosa as to recent 
 disturbances . 
 
 17 
 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 22 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 Answer to letter of the 31st ultimo. Refers to 
 views of Her Majesty's Government as 
 expressed in inclosed copy of letter of tbe 
 10th February, 1869, to London Missionary 
 Society. Cannot approve Mr. Gibson's con- 
 duct . . . . . . \ ^^ 
 
 Anxiety at views expressed by Lord Clarendon 
 relative to the affair in Formosa. Hopes 
 Mr. Gibson may not be removed .' . . 26 
 
 Acknowledging receipt of above . . . . 31 
 
 Inclosing correspondence relative to the capture 
 of Amping and Fort Zelandia. Proposed 
 instruction to Sir H. Keppel .. ..31 
 
 Concur in proposed instructions to Sir H. Kep- 
 pel . .. .. .. ..34 
 
 Correspondence with Mr. Gibson and Prince 
 Kung, relative to the occurrences in Formosa. 
 Remarks .. .. ., ,.35 
 
 Proceedings in Formosa. Further Report . . 52 
 
 Proceedings in Formosa. Refers to previous 
 instructions for the views of Her Majesty's 
 Government. To impress on Chinese Go- 
 vernment that Her Majesty's Government 
 look to them for redress of wrongs and 
 observance of Treaties . . . . . . 55 
 
Correspondence respecting Missionary Disturbances at Che-foo, 
 
 and Taiwan (Formosa). 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — {Received July 27.) 
 
 My Lord, ^ Peking, May 2\, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of two despatches I have received, one from the 
 officer in charge at Taiwan, in Formosa, and the other from Che-foo, hoth referring to 
 certain popular outbreaks directed against missionaries. 
 
 Fortunately there has been no serious injury to life and limb, and some property alone 
 has been destroyed. But I would draw attention to these incidents as showing the 
 precarious tenure on which all residence in the interior is held, and more especially the 
 facility with which superstition and ignorance combined may be brought to bear against 
 the missionaries, of whatever nation or creed. In Formosa it is clear the people were made 
 to believe in the most monstrous stories, such as have prevailed in former times in Europe 
 against the Jews, and later still in Italy against Protestants, of evil practices in poisoning 
 converts or scooping out the eyes or children. 
 
 While memorialists are expressing the general desire of the foreign communities] to 
 have unlimited access to every part of the Empire, and right of residence in the interior, 
 facts such as these must not be overlooked, as bearing upon the questions both of policy 
 and practicability. 
 
 I have, &e. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure I in No. 1. 
 Mr. Jamieson to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Taiwan, Takoo Office, April 24, 1868. 
 
 I REGRET to have to report a slight disturbance of the public peace which has 
 occurred within this district in connection with the missionaries. The cause of the disturb- 
 ance was a report which had become current among the Chinese that the missionaries were 
 using some sort of poisonous drug and administering it in secret doses to the people to 
 induce them to become converts, and the result has been that the mob has attacked and 
 burnt or destroyed the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches in Feng-shan-hsien, a 
 district city about six miles from this port. Fortunately no foreigners were stationed there 
 at the time, and the individual upon whom they have pitched as the grand aggressor is one 
 Kao-chang, a native Protestant preacher, who has now been for some time a convert, and 
 is, as far as I can learn, a man of unblameable character. 
 
 This man was dragged before the magistrate during the first excitement of the moment 
 by the mob, who demanded his immediate punishment, but the magistrate succeeded in 
 repressing this violence, and simply detained him for further investigation. He is still 
 confined in the yam^n. 
 
 The first report of the disturbance reached this place about twelve days ago, and I 
 was immediately apphed to by the Rev. H. Retchie to go and obtain the release of his 
 imprisoned convert Kao-chang. I refused to do this, as the quarrel was purely a Chinese 
 one, but told him that as the church property had been destroyed 1 should go and pay the 
 magistrate a visit (a thing I had been purposing for some time previously at any rate), and 
 endeavour to settle the matter quietly. I accordingly wrote a note to the magistrate, 
 stating my intention to go and see him about thi§ matter^ but on the following morning, 
 
 [212; 
 
 IV mienuon lo go anu see mm aooui mm maiwi, uul uu ui«? lu+iwniug "i< 
 J B2 
 
just as I was starting, a note in reply was put into my hands, begging me to defer my visit 
 for some time as the people were all in a state of great excitement, and implying that he 
 was powerless to assist me in case any violence were attempted. 
 
 I had no difficulty in complying with his request, and I found afterwards that it was 
 well this note reached me in time, as a band of several hundred men were then assembled 
 outside the gate, on the road leading to Takow, ready to prevent any attempt at entrance 
 on the part of foreigners. I should also mention that the day previously one of the 
 Roman Catholic missionaries stationed here, the Abb^ Chin-chou, hearing of the disturb- 
 ance, and, like myself, not knowing at the time the true state of affairs,_had entered the city 
 and was immediately mobbed. He had to seek refuge in the magistrate's yarn ^n, and 
 remained there two days, when he was finally escorted outside the city in the early 
 morning Idv a troop of soldiers, the crovi^d meanwhile lying in wait for him and openly 
 professing their intention of putting him to death. 
 
 Since that time 1 have received several despatches from the high authorities of the 
 island on the subject, and, contrary to expectation, I find they all regard the poisoning 
 matter as an undoubted fact, and request me to investigate whether it was done at the 
 instigation of Dr. Maxwell (who being the oldest missionary here is always quoted as the 
 chief) or whether it was done by Kao-chang on his own responsibility, and to give strict 
 orders that nothing of the kind be attempted for the future. 
 
 To these I have endeavoured to reply in the manner I considered best calculated to 
 allay the excitement, namely, that after full investigation I am firmly convinced that this 
 poisoning exists only in imagination ; that Dr. Maxwell is a man of the highest respect- 
 ability, as can be attested by the foreigners in this place, and is utterly incapable of such a 
 thing ; that his convert Kao-chang has also borne a very respectable character for several 
 years past since foreigners have known him, and besides that he has never had anything 
 to do with the dispensing of foreign medicines. Dr. Maxwell having always kept that in his 
 own hands ; moreover, that Dr. Maxwell himself has for over two months been absent in 
 Hong Kong, and cannot well be imphcated in the present disturbance. 
 
 I have also added that riots of this kind cannot be permitted to take place with 
 impunity, and request that orders be given to the Feng-shan-hsien magistrate to find out 
 the ringleaders and have them punished ; as also that I consider the people ought to be 
 made to pay for the property destroyed. 
 
 To the missionaries, both English and French, who have applied to me for assistance, 
 I have replied that their only course is to remain quiet, and avoid the disturbed districts 
 for a time ; that the opinions of the people cannot be altered by any mandates of the 
 authorities, and that they must either live down these reports, as has been done in other 
 places, or quit the island for a district where there their labours would be more thankfully 
 received. 
 
 Various reports have from time to time reached us of an impending attack on the 
 foreign settlement itself, but, while taking all necessary precaution against a surprise, I 
 cannot but regard such a thing as improbable in the extreme. Latest accounts report the 
 country as tolerably quiet, and I have little doubt but that things will soon settle down 
 into their ordinary channels. 
 
 Trusting my action in this matter may be approved, I have, &c. 
 
 (Signed) G. JAMIESON. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 1. 
 Acting Consul Alabaster to Sir R, Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Che-foo, May 9, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to report a small outburst of popular feehng against Christian 
 missions, and the steps I have taken to obtain redress. 
 
 Some two months ago the Rev. Mr. Laughton, desiring a chapel in a market town two 
 miles from this, instructed his servant to procure a suitable building. 
 
 Although cautioned by his master to avoid misrepresentation, the agent employed 
 appears to have been guilty of a direct falsehood, as he stated to the owners of the property 
 that he wanted the house for a shop. 
 
 A house was accordingly leased to him for a year ; 5 dollars were paid oti account of 
 rent, and a lock was placed on the door. 
 
 On Mr. Laughton's going some six weeks ago to fit up the place as a chapel, the 
 owners of the property at once declared, as they would appear to have had certain reason 
 
for doing, that the lease was void, and tendering the return of the 5 dollars, demanded 
 possession of the house. 
 
 Hoping to overcome their objections, Mr. Laughton declined either accepting the 5 
 dollars or giving up the house ; and they at once, instead of appealing either to their own 
 authorities or myself, seized the property, pulled off the roof, and walled up the door. 
 
 The matter was now reported to me, and although I should have been perfectly 
 ready to consider their case had they laid it properly before me, I could not allow such 
 violent action to be taken by the villagers against a foreigner without notice. 
 
 I therefore sent for the ringleaders, and happily succeeded in convincing them of the 
 impropriety of their course by mingled arguments and threats with reference to the Taoutae ; 
 and on their submission agreed to accept the restoration of the house and its lease to 
 Mr. Laughton for the period originally agreed on as compensation for the affi'ont. 
 
 This has now been done, and I have at the same time required Mr. Laughton to 
 publicly dismiss his servant, as evidence that we cannot be parties to underhand dealings, 
 and requested him in future to acquire any buildings he may need for mission purposes 
 through the Consulate. 
 
 As the act of the villagers, although outrageous, has been so promptly atoned for, and 
 apparently proceeded from inconsiderate haste rather than recklgss disregard for foreign 
 rights, I trust your Excellency will consider that I have exacted sufficient satisfaction. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) C. ALABASTER. 
 
 No. 2. 
 Mr. Egerton to the Secretary to the London Missionary Society. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, August 4, 1868. 
 
 1 AM directed by Lord Stanley to transmit to you, for the information of the London 
 Missionary Society, copies of a despatch and its inclosures from Her Majesty's Minister at 
 Peking,* relative to disturbances dii-ected against Christian missionaries at Che-foo and 
 
 Taiwan. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. C. EGERTON. 
 
 No. 3. 
 The Secretary to the London Missionary Society to Mr. Egerton. — (Received August 10.) 
 
 London Missionary Society, Blomfield Street Finslury, 
 Sir August 7, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, 
 with inclosures, detailing certain disturbances which have recently occurred in China 
 affecting the interests of Christian missions. The London Missionary Society has at the 
 present time no missionary labouring either in Che-foo or Taiwan ; but I am instructed 
 by the Directors to convey to Lord Stanley and yourself, their best thanks for your obliging 
 
 information. 
 
 2. Dr. Mullens being at present out of town, your communication of the 1st instant, 
 respecting the proposed recommencement of the Mission in New Caledonia, has been 
 
 forwarded to him. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) ROBERT ROBINSON. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — {Received December 7.) 
 
 gjj. Admiralty, December 5, 1868. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you 
 herewith, for the information of Lord Stanley, copy of a letter from Vice- Admiral the 
 Honourable Sir H. Keppel, dated 16th of October, relative to the unsatisfactory state 
 
 * No. 1. 
 
of affairs in the Island of Formosa, where outrages have been committed upon British 
 subjects, and no protection afforded by the local authorities. 
 
 The inclosures to Sir Henry Keppel's letter it is presumed have been already received 
 at the Foreign Office. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in 'Bo. 4. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, "Princess Charlotte," Hong Kong, October 16, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty,* the copy of a letter addressed to me by Her Majesty's Minister in China 
 requesting the dispatch of a gun-boat to Takow, in Formosa, where British subjects have 
 been maltreated by the authorities and our Treaty rights ignored. 
 
 2. In reference to this letter I have further to report that Mr. Gibson, Her Majesty's 
 Acting Consul at Taiwan, having failed to obtain redress for the outrages alluded to, placed 
 the case in the hands of Commander Lord Charles Scott of the " Icarus." 
 
 3. The inclosed letter reports the demands made by his Lordship on the Taoutae of 
 Taiwan. 
 
 4. On the 5th September the Taoutae notified his compliance with them, except that 
 of granting 6,000 dollars demanded as compensation for camphor seized from Messrs. Ellis 
 and Co. 
 
 5. But this seeming compliance was only the beginning of a fresh course of evasion 
 and cunning ; not one of the promises made has been fulfilled. 
 
 6. More recently the District Magistrate of Pi-toa, evidently acting under the 
 instructions of the Taoutae, accused Dr. Maxwell, a British subject, of murder, and, 
 further, refused to meet Her Majesty's Consul when he offered to bring Dr. Maxwell to 
 Pi-toa to confront his accusers. 
 
 7. The Consul, being determined to see the District Magistrate, ascertains that three 
 ambuscades were prepared to attack him on the road. 
 
 8. The accompanying copy of a letter from Dr. Maxwell will acquaint their Lordships 
 with the nature of the cunning plot, the result of which has rendered affairs even more 
 serious than before. 
 
 9. The Consul, who has had much experience in Formosa, represents to Her Majesty's 
 Minister that any course will be futile except a march on Pi-toa and Taiwan, with a view 
 to the arrest of the Taoutae and District Magistrate, in order that they may be sent to 
 Peking. 
 
 10. As Her Majesty's Minister is now in possession of the state of affairs in Formosa, 
 it is not my intention to sanction coercive measures except on"his requisition. 
 
 11. In the meantime, with a view to strengthening just demands, I have ordered 
 Commander Lord Charles Scott to proceed to Takow in the "Rinaldo," taking the 
 " Slaney " and " Bustard " under his orders. 
 
 12. Should Sir Rutherford Alcock approve of the views of Her Majesty's Consul, I 
 shall take care that they are carried into effect by an ample force. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 4. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, _ Peking, August 14, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE for some time been receiving unsatisfactory accounts from the southern 
 ports of Formosa concerning outrages offered to the Protestant and Catholic missionaries 
 in the Taiwan district, property destroyed, catechists imprisoned, with a total denial of 
 justice or protection by the local authorities. 
 
 More recently a British subject, a mercantile resident at Takow, has been stabbed in 
 the street by a soldier in the employment of the Leking tax collectors. 
 
 * See « China Papers, No. 2 (1869)," Inclosure 8 in No. H, 
 
The oiScer in charge of the Consulate, Mr. Gibson, informs me that the small 
 community at Takow have now for some time been cooped-up in the place itself, it being 
 unsafe to proceed, in any direction, two or three miles from the Settlement. 
 
 Under these circumstances, I have written to the Prince of Kung calling upon the 
 Chmese Government to take immediate steps to compel the local authorities to do justice 
 for the past outrages, and afford protection from any repetition of such aggressions. 
 
 I think it very desirable, at the same time, that a gun-boat should, if possible, be on 
 the station to support the Consular authority, and continue there for a period, until the 
 Chmese local officials have been made to feel the necessity of doing justice and preventing 
 mjury to foreigners. 
 
 I do not contemplate the necessity of having recourse to force, or any measures of 
 retortion, to compel attention to just demands ; but, doubtless, it will much promote the 
 success of the Consul's representations on the spot if the Chinese officials see that means 
 are at hand for exacting redress, if persistently refused to more peaceable efforts. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK, 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 4, 
 Commander Lord C. Scott to the Taoutae of Taiwan-foo. 
 
 ^^h Taiwan-foo, August 21, 1868. 
 
 I CAME to visit you to-day to give you the following subject to consider and 
 answer upon ; you suddenly left the yamin, and so the conversation ceased. 
 
 I now request that you will definitely answer the following subjects : — 
 
 1. Will you either restore Elles and Co.'s camphor, or pay an equivalent of 6,000 
 dollars, and try Tan-a-yung for robbery ? (Articles XVI and XVIII of the Treaty.) 
 
 2. Will you release the son of EUis and Co.'s corapradore at Gawchai ? (Article 
 XIII.) ^ 
 
 3. Will you try Lin Hai who stabbed Mr. Hardy ? (Article XVI.) 
 
 4. Will you try Hwang Hsi for murdering the Christian catechist ? (Articles VIII 
 and XVII.) ^ 
 
 5. Will you try the people who destroyed Dr. Maxwell's dispensary chapel and private 
 houses ? (Articles VIII and XVIII.) 
 
 6. Will you try the villagers who destroyed the Roman Catholic missions ? (Articles 
 VIII and XVIII.) 
 
 7. Will you issue a Proclamation that the Christian religion be respected and 
 Missions protected by the Local Magistrates ? (Article VIII.) 
 
 8. Will you write a letter to Mr. Gibson, saving that foreigners shall not be interfered 
 with in the camphor trade ? (Articles IX, XII, XIII, XIV.) 
 
 9. Will you acknowledge in a despatch that Mr. Gibson is Her Majesty's Consul at 
 Taiwan-foo, and will you respect his passports ? (Articles VII and IX.) 
 
 Should the answers to these subjects be unsatisfactory, you (the Taoutae) have the 
 whole responsibility of breaking nine Articles of the Treaty, and will be answerable for the 
 consequences. 
 
 I request you will send the answer to this letter on board Her Majesty's ship 
 " Icarus," by 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) CHARLES T. SCOTT. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — {deceived January 15.) 
 
 Sii*j Admiralty, January 14, 1869. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, 
 for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, extracts of a 
 letter from Vice-Admiral the Honourable Sir Henry Keppel, dated the 6th December, 
 relating to the state of affairs in Formosa- 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN HENRY BRIGGS. 
 
6 
 
 Inclosure in No. 5. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 (Extract.) December 6, 1868. 
 
 AT Banca two merchants,* Messrs. Kerr and Bird, of the firm of Dodd and Co., were 
 attacked by the mob and severely injured. 
 
 These gentlemen had proceeded to the town to occupy a house leased by them the 
 previous year; but the native authorities, being most anxious to drive English merchants 
 from the place, in order to resume a monopoly of the camphor trade, rather encourage 
 than deter the mob in their lawless proceedings. Her Majesty's Consul was, therefore, 
 compelled to make demands for ample redress, embracing a pecuniary compensation for 
 the injuries inflicted on Messrs. Kerr and Bird, an acknowledgment of the right to reside 
 at Banca, the establishment of proper protection, the restoration of their house, and the 
 severe punishment of all who were implicated in the attack, as well as a fine to be imposed 
 on the clans to which they belong. 
 
 The opportune arrival of Her Majesty's gun-boat " Janus," and the United States' 
 gun-boat "Aroostook," was followed by a full compliance on the part of the authorities 
 with the demands m.ade upon them by Her Majesty's Consul. 
 
 At Takow, in Formosa, English and other foreign residents continue to be molested by 
 persons acting under the authority of the Taoutae at Taiwan. 
 
 The house of Dr. Maxwell, a medical missionary, has been burnt down, while the 
 numerous demands made for redress by Her Majesty's Consul have been treated with 
 contempt. 
 
 I have ordered Captain Ross to proceed to Formosa in the " Pearl " and assume charge 
 of British interests in that island. It is my intention to proceed without delay to the 
 same neighbourhood, when I have arranged that a competent force shall be assembled, 
 with a view to exacting a compliance with our Treaty rights, if called upon to act by Her 
 Majesty's Minister. 
 
 At Nanking the stoppage of the salt trade, by establishing a blockade of the Grand 
 Canal, would at once be followed by a full compHance with our demands ; but, in Formosa, 
 more active measures appear to be indispensable : the force at my command is, however, 
 ample for the purpose. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr, Hammond. — (Received February 20.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, February 17, 1869. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you 
 herewith, for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, a copy of a letter from Commodore 
 Jones, dated the 28th December, with its inclosures in original, detailing the circumstances 
 under which Fort Zelandia and the town of Amping in the Island of Formosa were seized 
 by a force under the command of Lieutenant Gurdon, of Her Majesty's gun- vessel 
 "Algerine." 
 
 My Lords request to be informed whether Lord Clarendon approves of the unusual 
 proceedings described in these papers, and which appear to have been undertaken by 
 Lieutenant Gurdon on the requisition of Mr. Gibson, the Acting British Consul at 
 Takow. 
 
 Considering that a force sufficient to have prevented all opposition and consequent 
 bloodshed was at hand (having been dispatched by the Admiral on this service), my Lords 
 cannot but think that the necessity for these acts of so-called "reprisals," accompanied as 
 they were by serious loss of life and property, should be established, or that they should 
 be emphatically condemned. 
 
 My Lords observe that Acting Consul Gibson disapproves of some of the proceedings 
 of Lieutenant Gurdon. They will be glad to know Lord Clarendon's opinion of the 
 Lieutenant's demanding; tne iruarancee of 40,000 dolkrs, tne indemnity of 5,000 dollars, 
 and the prize-money of 5,000 dollars ; ana they wouia inquire whether the latter sums 
 should be retained or returned to the Chinese authorities. So far as the discipline of the 
 navy is concerned, my Lords view with extreme disapproval these pecuniary demands, and 
 
 * See 'XTiina Panerr. No. 6 (1869)." 
 
a reference to wiy letter of the 24th November last* will show that they have ordered 
 commanding officers of Her Majesty's ships not to receive sums of money from Chinese 
 of any class without the sanction of the Commander-in-chief or Board of Admiralty. 
 
 My Lords are anxious that no unnecessary delay should take place in communicating 
 to Vice- Admiral Sir Henry Keppel the judgment of Her Majesty's Government on these 
 proceedings. 
 
 Whether they were or were not justifiable, there can be no doubt that the operations 
 at Fort Zelandia and Amping were carried out by Lieutenant Gurdon and the officers and 
 men under his command with great skill and gallantry ; but my Lords will postpone any 
 expression of opinion on this point until they are in possession of Lord Clarendon's 
 judgment on the whole matter, and have received despatches from the Commander-in-chief 
 as to the operations themselves. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 6. 
 Commodore Jones to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, "Princess Charlotte," Hong Kong, December 28, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to forward you copies of despatches, the originals of which are 
 awaiting here the arrival of the Commander-in-chief, that relate to the steps taken to gain 
 redress for a series of insults and outrages which have been committed by the Taoutae, 
 officials, and people of Taiwan- foo (in the Island of Formosa) and its neighbourhood, 
 upon Her Majesty's Consul, Her Majesty's Naval Officers, the merchants, missionaries, 
 &c., and their dependants. 
 
 In despatch No. 1 from Lieutenant Thornhaugh Philip Gurdon, commanding Her 
 Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine," dated the 2nd December, 1868, is the account of the most 
 daring and successful night attack by him and the crew of the " Algerine " on the fortified 
 village of Amping and Fort Zelandia, held by about 500 soldiers, and of his repulse of a 
 large force sent to recapture the place. 
 
 (Signed) ' OLIVER J. JONES. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 6. 
 Commodore Jones to Lieutenant Gurdon. 
 
 Sir, "Princess Charlotte," Hong Kong, December 20, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 2nd December, with its 
 inclosures, detailing the various operations conducted by you at Fort Zelandia and the town 
 of Amping, and shall have great pleasure in submitting it to the Commander-in-chief whose 
 anival here is shortly expected. 
 
 I beg you to accept my congratulations at your having performed the most brilliant 
 exploit which I have heard of in these seas, an exploit which could only have been 
 accomplished by the great daring and judgment you displayed, which gave such confidence 
 to the small body of men you commanded as to raise their courage and determination to 
 a pitch equal to your own. 
 
 ' I have, &c. 
 
 (Signed) OLIVER J. JONES. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 6. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Taiwan, Takow Office, December 14, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to state in detail our proceedings, &c,, at Takow and Taiwan, 
 from the landing of Tseng Ta-jin, the Amoy Taoutae,High Commissioner Ma, and Governor- 
 General of Fukienj on the 8th ultimo, until the final conclusion of our difficulties. The 
 
 * "China Papers, No, 3 (1869)," Nd. 3. 
 
 [212] C 
 
8 
 
 facts which constitute those proceedings that I am about to narrate, are undoubtedly 
 complicated, and it is desirable to reduce them to something like method, as follows ; 
 viz, ; — 
 
 In the first place, from the landing at Amping of Tseng Ta-jin on the 8th, until 
 our first conference at Takow on the 1 7th ultimo; in the second place, from the first 
 conference on the 1 7th, till our second conference at Takow on the 24th ultimo ; in the 
 third place, from the Senior Naval Officer's operations at Amping, from the 21st, the day 
 we took military possesion of the Fort of Zelandia and the ramparts of the village, till the 
 27th ultimo, the day of my second arrival at Amping ; in the fourth place, from my second 
 arrival at Amping on the 27th ultimo, till the third conference at Amping on the 29th 
 ultimo ; in the fifth place from the third conference at Amping on the 29th ultimo, till 
 the final adjustment of our complications. 
 
 In the first place, from the landing at Amping of Tseng Ta-jin on the 8th till our first 
 conference at Takow on the 17th ultimo. 
 
 Lord Scott, Commander of Her Majesty's ship " Icarus " informed me before his 
 departure from Amoy, as nearly as I can recollect, some ten weeks ago, that Ma, the 
 Governor-General of Fukien, had appointed Tseng, the Amoy Taoutae, to _come overto 
 Formosa and settle our complications. I was also informed that Tseng Ta-jin did not like 
 the mission, alleging, as an excuse, that his mother, an old lady, was sick, and that he must 
 stay at home to attend her. 
 
 At length, however, Tseng Ta-jin arrived at Amping, landed on the 8th ultimo, and 
 proceeded to Taiwan, where he remained a week, discussing matters with the local officials. 
 When he had satisfied himself with their information he came down to Pitow, the district 
 city of Tung-shan, where he saw the District Magistrate and held a meeting of the graduates 
 to inquire into the difficulties connected with the Protestant Mission there. On the 1 6th 
 ultimo he arrived at Takow. He had the day before sent the Prefect of Taiwan to Takow. 
 This gentleman paid me a visit on the 16th, and and had just departed to receive Tseng 
 Ta-jin, when Tseng, a few minutes after he landed, sent me his card, requesting an inter- 
 view at once as he wished to be off to Amoy in a day or two. Thinking this conduct 
 peculiarly strange, I declined to concede an interview only a few minutes after Jiis arrival, 
 in this hurried and precipitate fashion, informing him that our complications were 
 so great, so outstanding, and had gone so far, that, to my certain knowledge, it would 
 take him fully a week to understand my side of the question, but I was willing to appoint 
 next day, the 17th, at 3 o'clock for a conference. On the 17th, at 3 o'clock, we met. I 
 asked him what powers he had received, and he, without answering my question, asserted 
 before Lieutenant Gurdon, Lieutenant Johnson, Dr. Maxwell, Dr. Manson, the agent of 
 Messrs. Ellis and Co., and the agent of Messrs. Tait and Co., that he had discovered that 
 the Formosa difficulties were of no importance ; that in a day or two he should start back 
 to Amoy ; and when I informed him that it was impossible to mend matters, unimportant 
 as he considered them to be, without suspending Taoutae Liang's commission, he laughed off 
 the whole affair. He even seemed delicately to insinuate that it was contrary to my duty 
 to indulge in urging on those old complaints, asserting that they were trifling and of no 
 moment. I asked him if my charges, with which he was already acquainted, against Liang 
 Taoutae were of no importance. He rejoined that I had not alleged any proof as evidence 
 of the charges I had laid down. Again and again he reiterated, down tb the conclusion of 
 the conference, that he was about to start back for Amoy in a day or two. I then inquired 
 if he had power to suspend Liang Taoutae and his two subordinates, and he absolutely said 
 that he had got no such power, and affirmed that our difficulties were of no weight or 
 importance at all. 
 
 I derived the following important lessons from this conference : — 
 
 1. That Tseng Ta-jin considered our difficulties of the most trifling moment. 
 
 2. That Tseng Ta-jin wished to turn his back on Formosa and all its concerns. 
 
 3. That he absolutely concealed from me his powers, which from private information 
 I knew he possessed, in the hope of bluffing me off. 
 
 In the second place, from the first conference on the 1 7th, till our second conference 
 at Takow on the 24th ultimo. 
 
 The day after our very unsatisfactory conference of the 17th, I paid Tseng Ta-jin a 
 visit ; and although we discussed in a general manner our embarrassments, I consider that 
 I made extremely little impression upon his prejudiced mind as to the urgency and 
 importance of our difficulties ; while I saw that if Tseng Ta-jin started back to Amoy in 
 " a day or two " — an expression he was very fond of repeating — our negotiations would 
 come to an end immediately, and the crying wrongs which have been showered upon 
 Europeans by the local Government of Formosa increased tenfold. If Commissioner 
 
Tseng -withdrew from the island in a state of dudgeon, I could only apply material force to 
 the local officials ; and I at once foresaw when that material force had been successfully 
 applied, I should still be in this predicament, either, first, of raising a native rebellion in 
 the island ; or, second, of having nobody with whom to settle our embarrassments ; but 
 perhaps both. 
 
 I returned to the Consulate, and prepared a despatch for transmission to Tseng Ta-jin, 
 which I beg to inclose. 
 
 The gravity of the circumstances, the risk of failure, and the responsibility attaching 
 to future proceedings, naturally abridged by your Excellency's despatch of the 9th of 
 October ; and I came to the conclusion that I was bound to insist upon the necessary steps 
 being taken to the full enjoyment of our Treaty rights. I determined to take military 
 possession of the Fort of Zelandia, and the ramparts of the village of Amping, not only as 
 a material guarantee in the shape of a reprisal, but a basis for action, Amping being the key 
 to the capital of Taiwan. I applied to Lieutenant Gordon, Her Majesty's Senior Naval 
 Officer, who approved of my plan of proceedings. I wrote him a despatch on the 20th, 
 which I beg to inclose. 
 
 We were off the Fort of Zelandia on the 21st ultimo. We landed about 3 o'clock p.m. 
 on the same day, and we reconnoitred the fort and the ramparts of the village. We found the 
 doors on the magazines on the fort locked ; and from information which I received, the 
 soldiers and their commandant had all removed. The reconnoitring party took military 
 possession of the fort and the ramparts of the village without opposition. I requested, 
 verbally. Her Majesty's Senior Naval Officer not to interfere with the civil government of 
 the village, to allow the native merchants to trade as usual, and to protect the foreign 
 Custom-house ; all which, as I afterwards ascertained, he had performed. I posted Procla^ 
 mations over the village of Amping, enjoining the people not to leave home, but to 
 proceed with their different occupations as hitherto ; and I transmitted another set of 
 Proclamations to Taiwan-foo, announcing to the inhabitants that if they molested Her 
 Majesty's Consulate, or the foreign houses, the city should be bombarded. 
 
 The Senior Naval Officer informed me that he considered it more prudent to hold the 
 fort and the ramparts of the village from the ship, and to this I instantly assented. 
 
 I returned to Takow in Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," on the 22nd, late in the 
 evening. 
 
 On the 23rd I informed Tseng Ta-jin, in a despatch, of our proceedings at Amping, 
 inclosing him the Proclamations I had published. He immediately claimed an interview. 
 I appointed next day, the 24th, at 11 o'clock a.m. From reliable information I had 
 received, I knew that Tseng Ta-jin would assent to every proposition I should lay down. 
 
 Lieutenant-Commander Johnson of Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," Dr. Maxwell, 
 Dr. Manson, the agent of Messrs. Ellis and Co., and the agent of Messrs. Tait and Co., 
 were present at the conference. 
 
 After a great deal of argument, which lasted from 1 1 till 3 o'clock, "Tseng Ta-jin 
 assented to my conditions. These conditions are in the Inclosure No. 1 of this despatch. 
 Tseng Ta-jin agreed to everything in these conditions, except Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s 
 compradore's case. He said, the local officials ought to have asked my permission 
 before they tried to arrest him, or broke into his house ; that he was very sorry that such 
 an event had occurred ; that in his opinion the compradore was amenable to the laws of 
 China ; but that when I came to Taiwan he and I should settle the matter equitably. To 
 this I assented. 
 
 It was further agreed between Tseng Ta-jin, the Prefect, and myself, before the five 
 gentlemen who attended the conference, that the British forces were to hold Fort Zelandia 
 and the ramparts of the village of Amping in their mihtary possession, till my conditions 
 were fulfilled, and Liang Taoutae and his subordinates removed. 
 
 Next morning, the 25th, about 9 o'clock, I sent Lieutenant-Commander Gurdon, Her 
 Majesty's Senior Naval Officer, holding the fort and ramparts of the village of Amping, a 
 note— I being afraid that a despatch would be intercepted by the offi.cials at Taiwan— 
 informing him of the agreement that I had come to with Tseng Ta-jin, and requesting him 
 to continue to hold the fort and the ramparts of the village until my conditions were 
 satisfactorilv fulfilled, and till Liang Taoutae and his two subordinates were removed, as, 
 judging from Tseng's complying with my conditions so readily, it was the reprisal, and 
 nothing but the reprisal, that led him to make the promise he did. 
 
 The Prefect, who accompanied Tseng Ta-jin to Takow, left for Taiwan on the 25th 
 about 5 o'clock a.m. ; so ended the proceedings of our second conference. 
 
 In the third place, the Senior Naval Officer's operations at Amping from the 21st, 
 the day we took military possession of the Fort of Zelandia and the ramparts of the village, 
 till the 27th ultimo, the day of my second arrival at Amping. 
 
 . V 2 
 
10 
 
 Under this division I beg to submit to your Excellency the Senior Naval Officer's 
 letter of proceedings, and my reply to that letter. 
 
 The Senior Naval Officer's operations took place on the 25th and morning of the 26th. 
 What was the cause of his operations ? It was either that Tseng Ta-jin was afraid of 
 " losing face " with the Taiwan officials, by informing them of his agreement to the 
 condition that the British forces were to hold mihtary possession of the fort and ramparts 
 of Amping, or that having informed the Taiwan officials — which I understand is the case — 
 they paid no attention to our agreement. 
 
 I informed Tseng Ta-jin on the 24th about 3 o'clock that he ought to write to the 
 Taiwan officials as to our agreement. He answered me twice with a distinct affirmative 
 assurance that he would do so. Moreover, 1 had got reliable information about 12 o'clock 
 on the 23rd, the day Tseng Ta-jin received my despatch detailing to him that we held the 
 fort and the rampart of the village of Amping in our mihtary possession as a reprisal, that 
 he would agree to-morrow to all my conditions. From his assent to my proposition on 
 the 27th, coupled with private information, which I found to be correct, that I received 
 on the 23rd, I necessarily inferred that a despatch had been written. Further still, on 
 the 25th, about 9 o'clock, a courier started with my note to the Senior Naval Officer, and 
 at 7 o'clock P.M. of the same day the Senior Naval Officer, being then six or seven miles 
 further off than Taiwan, received my letter, although it was delayed three hours ; so that 
 the Chinese authorities cannot plead insufficient time to gain a knowledge of the agreement 
 made with Tseng Ta-jin even on the 24th. The Prefect who accompanied Tseng Ta-jin 
 to Takow went very early on the morning of the 25th up to Taiwan, and he was 
 there in abundance of time to stop the Chentai's (General's) soldiers from advancing on 
 Amping. 
 
 The Chentai (the General of Division) at Taiwan, and the Chentai alone, is responsible 
 for this infringement of our agreement ; for advancing with his forces upon Amping ; and 
 for maliciously persecuting and defaming Tseng Ta-jin, the Commissioner of the Governor- 
 General of Fukien. The Chentai Lin has been removed, and an officer named Tang has 
 been appointed, who I'eceived the Chentai's seals on the 8th instant. 
 
 During the shelling of the water batteries, on which the native soldiers were busy 
 mounting guns, not a private house in the village was injured, not a private person either 
 killed or wounded ; and the same may be said when the village was stormed early on the 
 morning of the 26th. No private house was entered, nobody outraged by the sailors or 
 marines ; and this fact not only proves how well Lieutenant Gurdon and his officers kept 
 their men in hand, but is also evidence that the men were imbued with a manly, honest, 
 English character. For the gallant, dauntless, and unprecedented success in storming the 
 Fort of Zelandia and the ramparts of Amping in the face of overwhelming numbers, I think 
 I can claim for Lieutenant Gurdon, his officers, and men, your Excellency's well merited 
 approbation. It was a brave action, and I have no hesitation in affirming that if Lieutenant 
 Gurdon had been unsuccessful, my conditions would have been thrown with disdain in my 
 face, and instead of twenty-one native soldiers killed, and about the same number wounded, 
 it might have been hundreds, not on one side only, before my position at Taiwan could 
 have been secured. 
 
 The local officials brought the unfortunate catastrophe of the 25th and 26th upon 
 their own heads, and they have paid a dear price for their project ; as Tseng Ta-jin, the 
 Commissioner, has removed the Chentai, suspended Liang Taoutae, the Prefect, and seven 
 other officials, civil and military. This overturn of officials I look upon in the light of a 
 special providence sent to Formosa. If their successors are just m6n, even taking a Chinese 
 view of justice, the island will rapidly prosper ; but if not a chronic state of rebellion will 
 be set alight in every clan, village, and family ; and this special Providence shall have 
 come in vain. 
 
 There is another subject to which I would invite your Excellency's attention as it 
 gives me great discomfort. Before I had arrived the second time at Amping Her Majesty's 
 Senior Naval Officer had accepted an agreement from the native merchants 40,000 dollars. 
 That agreement was as follows : — that this sum was to be held by the Senior Naval Officer 
 as a guarantee that my conditions should be fulfilled by the local authorities, and Liang 
 and his subordinates should be removed by the Governor-General of Fukien, and that the 
 British forces should not advance upon Taiwan, if they did, this money to be previously 
 returned to the merchants. 
 
 This agreement was a mistake, in as much as (1) it led the Chinese to believe we 
 came in quest of money, not of justice ; (2) as a matter of fact it belonged to the native 
 merchants, and the property of the merchants can make no impression upon the feelings 
 of the officials in China ; (3) it would have been a very great hindrance if the British forces 
 
11 
 
 had been obliged to advance on Taiwan ; and (4), it was not in my request of the 20th 
 ultimo. The Senior Naval Officer, however, on my representation, gave the 40,000 dollars 
 back to the native merchants, as also 200 dollars which he had accepted under an agree- 
 ment from the captain of a man-of-war junk. Lieutenant-Commander Gurdon accepted 
 both these sums of money under a bond fide agreement ; but however our agreement may 
 sound to English ears, to the Chinese it is viewed as a bribe— as a squeeze — which neither 
 Her Majesty's Senior Naval Officer nor 1 have the least desire to recognize. 
 
 In the fourth place, from my second arrival at Amping on the 27th till the third 
 conference at Amping on the 29th ultimo. 
 
 On the 26th I received a note from Her Majesty's Senior Naval Officer informing me 
 that he had been obhged to storm Amping, which I communicated to Tseng Ta-jin, 
 inviting him to go up to Amping with me in Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard." This 
 invitation he declined to accept, and it was only through the influence of Mr. Mann, 
 Commissioner of Customs, who had arrived three or four days before, who very kindly 
 went at my request for the purpose of inducing Tseng Ta-jin to come up overland to 
 Taiwan in order to put a stop to further slaughter. 
 
 On landing at Amping on the 27th I went over the village. About a third of the 
 usual number of inhabitants were present, on the 28th about one-half, and on the 29th 
 nearly the whole. The market was well supplied. The magazines had been blown up on 
 the fort, and the two military yam^ns, in which there were great quantities of guns, 
 small arms, powder, &c., lying about, were occupied by our men destroying those stores. 
 The furniture of both yamens had been removed on the 24th by the proprietors. 
 
 On the 29th, at about 11 o'clock, Tseng Ta-jin, the senior naval officer, and I met at 
 head-quarters. I asked Tseng Ta-jin if he still adhered to my conditions, and especially 
 the proposition that the British forces were to hold military possession of the fort and 
 ramparts of the village of Amping until all my conditions were fulfilled, and Liang Taoutae 
 and his two subordinates removed ? He repHed, " I adhere." He, however, requested 
 that the senior naval officer should re-embark his men, which I promised him should be 
 done at once, but on these conditions : — 1. That he write me a despatch as Commissioner 
 of the Governor- General of Fukien that Liang Taoutae and his two subordinates be removed 
 immediately : 2. That he shall guarantee no Chinese military or naval force should occupy 
 the village of Amping until all my conditions were fulfilled, and Liang Taoutae and his two 
 subordinate officers removed ; 3. That he should consent to see Her Majesty's gun-boat 
 " Bustard " anchored off the Custom-house pier, so as to lay the fort and ramparts of 
 the village of Amping within 400 or 500 yards from her guns. 
 
 These conditions having been all agreed to by Tseng Ta-jin, I then asked Her 
 Majesty's senior naval officer if he had any demand to make. He demanded 10,000 
 dollars ; 5,000 dollars for the British Government on account of coals, ammunition, &c., 
 expended, and 5,000 dollars as a ransom for a store of guns that he captured in the 
 fort. 
 
 The Chinese Local Government ought to pay for the coals, ammunition, &c., that 
 have been expended, but I maintain that stores, guns, &c., captured, we were not at liberty 
 to seize ; we were not at war with China, not even with the local Government of Fukien. 
 I disapproved of the demand, and would have nothing to do with the money, leaving it to 
 your Excellency's and the Admiral's better judgment. The powder in the magazines and 
 in the yamens was very properly blown up, the muskets, gingalls — all loaded, — and the 
 small arms were destroyed. There was no rice in the granaries. The guns were all iron 
 ones, but British guns marked "B. & Co,," and I don't believe if we were at war with 
 China would have sold for any very large sum. 
 
 In the fifth place, from the third conference at Amping on the 29th ultimo till the 
 final adjustment of our complications. 
 
 On the 2nd instant I arrived in Her Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine," Her Majesty's 
 gun-boat " Bustard " remaining in military possession of the fort of Zelandia and of the 
 ramparts of the village until my conditions are fulfilled, and Liang Taoutae and his two 
 subordinates removed. 
 
 The indemnity came down to Takow on the 4th instant, i. e., 6,000 dollars for 
 Messrs, Ellis and Co., 1,167 dollars for the Protestant Mission, and 2,000 dollars for the 
 Catholic fathers, I inclose the copies of these receipts. 
 
 From the officials that brought the money down I learnt that Tseng Ta-jin, the 
 Commissioner, had suspended the commissions of Liang Taoutae, Yeh, the Prefect, Ling, 
 the District Magistrate of Tung-shan-Kuo, the Ling of Lo-chiang and seven other officials, 
 who had been mixed up with foreign difficulties. 
 
 On the 6th instant Tseng Ta-jin sent down two Proclamations, which were in accord- 
 
1^ 
 
 ance with the conditions. The Camphor Proclamation aboUshed the monopoly, gave 
 foreign merchants permission to buy camphor not only at the coast ports, but in the 
 interior ; allowed compradores and other Chinese agents of foreign merchants to buy, and 
 natives freely to sell, camphor ; and brought the traffic in this article under the Tien-tsin 
 Treaty and Custom-house regulations. I inclose the Camphor Proclamation. The 
 second proclamation which the Commissioner sent down had reference to Christianity. 
 It permits the greatest latitude to the missionaries, Protestant and Catholic. They can 
 heal, preach, teach, and build mission-houses. They can travel anywhere under a pass- 
 port. The falsehoods which the yamens promulgated, such as poisoning water and giving 
 noxious drugs to women, against the missionaries are all rebutted ; in fact, the Commis- 
 sioner says that these gross and malevolent reports are untrue. Native converts shall 
 not be persecuted. I inclose this Proclamation. 
 
 In the second Proclamation, Mixed Courts in this island are instituted. The benefit 
 of Mixed Courts in Formosa wiU be inexpressibly great. Any dispute between British 
 subjects, their agents, and domestic servants, with the natives will be tried by a Mixed 
 Court. For two or three years past justice and right have been made a laughing-stock of 
 by the local officials, bribes and squeezes have been in their opinion all in all. 
 
 On the nth instant Her Majesty's ship " Rinaldo," Lord Charles Scott, Commander, 
 arrived, having Mr. Consul Swinhoe on board. Mr. Consul Swinhoe, after reading the 
 various despatches, and taking the opinion of Lord Charles Scott and Major Grossman 
 on the subject, declined to accept his post, and he ordered me to carry out the proceed- 
 ings, which he entirely approved of, that I had commenced. For this favour I am 
 exceedingly obliged to Mr. Consul Swinhoe. 
 
 The naval forces now are Her Majesty's ship " Rinaldo," Her Majesty's gun-vessel 
 " Algerine " and Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard ; " the latter has military possession of 
 Fort Zelandia and the ramparts of the village of Amping. Her Majesty's ships '■' Perseus " 
 and " Pearl " may arrive at any moment. 
 
 The rascals who pulled down Dr. Maxwell's dispensary, mission-house, and private 
 houses in the town of Pitow are arrested. The murderers of the catechist have been 
 apprehended. Dr. Maxwell's accusers are in gaol. Tin-hai, the person who stabbed 
 Mr. Hardie, the agent for Messrs. Tait and Co., in Taiwan, has been in prison for five 
 months ; and in a few days Tseng Ta-jin, the Commissioner, is coming to Pitow to have 
 them all separately punished ; while Tan-a-yung, the man who illegally removed the 
 camphor at Wuchai, under Liang Taoutae's orders, will be punished at Taiwan. 
 
 I intend to hold military possession of Fort Ze.landia and the ramparts of the village 
 of Amping (and Mr. Consul Swinhoe and Lord Charles Scott, the senior naval officer at 
 Takow, are of that opinion), until all the individuals I have enumerated are most severely 
 punished, and until Liang Taoutae, Ting, the District Magistrate of Tung-shan, and the 
 Ting of Lo-chiang, who are just now suspended, are removed. 
 
 In conclusion, I humbly but sincerely beg your Excellency to bestow a high measure 
 of your approbation upon Lieutenant Commander Gurdon, of Her Majesty's gun-vessel 
 " Algerine ;" without him I could have done nothing. If he had failed in his great risk, the 
 Chinese officials, and Tseng Ta-jin himself, would have snapped their fingers at my 
 conditions ; but, as soon as he got my letter, he saw what an immense responsibility was 
 upon his shoulders, and he did not falter ; the boats were called away ; he stormed the 
 fort and the ramparts of the village of Amping, had a severe struggle to prevent the 
 recapture of the place, and conducted himself throughout with resolution and determined 
 gallantry. For his negotiations I can only say they were arranged by an officer who took 
 a higher view of the Chinese national character than I do ; he laid down a contract in a 
 legal sense, and an Englishman contracting with another Englishman knows very well what 
 a contract means. Lieutenant Gurdon was, as a fact, contracting with Chinese. This was 
 his only misfortune. But nevertheless his negotiations were one thing, his gallantry 
 decidedly another ; and I beg your Excellency to give him your entire approbation. 
 
 Lieutenant-Commander Johnson, of Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," has remained 
 here for four months. In all Lieutenant Johnson's intercourse with me he has shown 
 himself to be a brave and obliging officer. I beg from your Excellency the bestowal of 
 your approbation upon him. 
 
 Mr. Mann, the Commissioner of Customs, at my request, visited Tseng Ta-jin at 
 Takow twice or thrice ; he afterwards, on my persuasion, accompanied Tseng to Taiwan, 
 and at both places gave Tseng Ta-jin good advice. As I informed him, it was for the best 
 interests of the Central Government that I laid down those conditions, and that the Senior 
 Naval Officer stormed the fort ; and that advice and much other beneficial advice was 
 given to Tseng by one of the foreign officials of the Central Government itself, 
 
IS 
 
 1 beg of your Excellency to approve of Mr. Mann's merits to the Inspector-General 
 of Maritime Customs at Peking. 
 
 I will write your Excellency whenever the criminals are punished. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 6. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Lieutenant Gurdon. 
 
 Sir, Takow Office, November 20, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to state that I consider it necessary, for the bare existence and 
 interests of British subjects in Taiwan, that Her Majesty's ships under your command 
 should make reprisals ; and I request you to seize and to hold Fort Zelandia and the town 
 of Amping till the local Government of Fukien will settle the just and important 
 conditions with which you are already acquainted, which for nearly five months I have 
 been urging on them to perform. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 P.S. — I request you will not permit any naval or military force to enter at Amping. 
 
 J. G. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 6. 
 Lieutenant Gurdon to Commodore Jones. 
 
 Sir, ^^ Algerine" Takow, Formosa, December 2, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inform you that I took command of Her Majesty's gun- 
 vessel " Algerine," from Commander Domvile, on November 1st, at Swatow, and proceeded 
 to Takow, Formosa, in execution of my sailing orders the next day, viz., the 2nd ultimo. 
 
 I found the weather so bad outside that I had to run into Hope Bay for shelter for 
 that day, but the weather moderating during the night I put to sea next morning, and 
 after a very bad passage across, it blowing very hard from the north-eastward and east- 
 north-eastward, and a very heavy sea running, I arrived at Takow at daylight of the 5th 
 ultimo. I found Her Majesty's gun-boat "Bustard " lying here, which vessel I have taken 
 under my orders. I regret to state that I found, on arrival at Takow, that 450 lbs. of 
 biscuit, stowed on the lower-deck and in the fore-hold, had deteriorated to such an extent 
 from sea-water as to be unfit for service. 
 
 I beg to inclose the report of survey concerning the same, also the receipt for warrant 
 oflScers' and engineers' stores of Her Majesty's ship " Bustard," conveyed to her by this 
 ship. 
 
 On arrival here, Dr. MacCarthy, Assistant Surgeon in charge, addressed to me a 
 communication recommending that certain cases should be sent on shore to sick quarters, 
 which recommendation I approved of and have acted on. 
 
 The Taoutae of Amoy arrived at Takow by land from Taiwan-foo on the 16th ultimo, 
 he having been sent by the Viceroy of Fukien (in whose province this island is situated) 
 to settle the existing difficulties between the Acting Taoutae of Taiwan and Mr. Gibson, 
 the British Consul at Takow. The Taoutae requested, and Mr. Gibson granted him, an 
 audience on the afternoon of the 1 7th instant, at which ceremony Mr. Gibson requested 
 Lieutenant Johnson, of Her Majesty's ship " Bustard," and myself to attend. 
 
 On discussing the powers that had been granted to him by the Viceroy of Fukien, it 
 was ascertained that he had not power granted him to dismiss the Acting Taoutae of 
 Taiwan and the other officials implicated in the late disturbances, which demand of 
 Mr. Gibson has been approved of by Sir Rutherford Alcock ; consequently no diplomatic 
 relations could be entered into with the Taoutae of Amoy, but Mr. Gibson has furnished 
 him with all his correspondence. 
 
 On November the 20th, finding that the Taoutae of Amoy had not the power 
 to accede to his demands, Mr. Gibson addressed to me a letter, of which I inclose a copy. 
 The British Consul having come on board the same evening I weighed, in company with 
 Her Majesty's ship " Bustard," and arrived oflF Amping early the next morning. During 
 
14 
 
 the day I landed the Marines and the boats' crews of the two vessels, leaving them at the 
 pier. I proceeded with Mr. Gibson and Lieutenant Johnson to reconnoitre the place, but 
 found Fort Zelandia in such an utter state of ruin that it would not have been prudent, 
 with the limited force at my disposal, to occupy it permanently: the buildings of the 
 village affording also wretched accommodation for the men I informed Mr. Gibson of the 
 same, and told him that I thought a Proclamation to the effect that we held the village of 
 Amping and Fort Zelandia (the same being within reach of my pivot gun), obliging the 
 Military Mandarin in charge of Amping to quit the place, and allowing no naval or military 
 force to enter it, would answer the same end, which course accordingly was decided upon, 
 the forces being re-embarked. 
 
 Mr. Gibson returned to Takow on the 22nd ultimo in Her Majesty's ship " Bustard," 
 I remaining at this place to carry out the measures decided upon. 
 
 Mr. Gibson wishing a man-of-war lorcha that was laying inside of the bar to move 
 outside, I accordingly boarded her and informed her that she must move outside the bar 
 before 6 o'clock that night, or I should have to take possession of her. 
 
 I then proceeded on shore and visited the Heptai, informing him that we had taken 
 possession of Amping, and that consequently he must leave the town within the space of 
 twenty-four hours. 
 
 The Heptai at first declined to listen to any arrangement of the sort ; but on my 
 informing him that if he did not evacuate the town within the time named by me I should 
 have to take him prisoner, he said that he would go to Taiwan-foo for orders, and let me 
 know the result next morning. 
 
 The same evening a furious gale set in from the northward, preventing any com- 
 munication with the shore until Tuesday forenoon. 
 
 On Tuesdaj', at 11 a.m., I proceeded inside the bar, and informed the man-of-war 
 lorcha that unless she was outside the bar by 3 p.m. I should take her as a prize. 
 The lorcha not having moved at the time named I sent my boats in manned and 
 armed, took possession of her, and moved her outside the bar, anchoring her close to me, 
 sending all her crew on shore, retaining only the captain and two men on board, placing a 
 guard in charge of her at the same time. 
 
 During the afternoon a deputation of merchants from Taiwan-foo came on board to 
 request me to allow the Heptai to remain in Amping, but I informed them that, unless 
 they would deposit a sura of 35,000 dollars with me as a guarantee that all Mr. Gibson's 
 conditions with Tsung Taoutae were carried out, my orders would not allow of it ; they 
 then left, saying that they would inform me next morning if they would deposit with 
 me the sum required. 
 
 The next day at noon I received trustworthy intelligence that 500 men had been 
 poured into Amping that morning, and that the Chinese officials were busy at work 
 mounting guns on the fortifications. I immediately sent a despatch to the Heptai, stating 
 that, unless he sent the troops out of the town and ceased mounting guns on the fortifica- 
 tions within an hour of the receipt by him of my despatch, I should be compelled to 
 open fire on the town, at the same time sending notice to the inhabitants to abandon the 
 townj as I intended to open fire at 3 p.m. 
 
 No answer having come at 4 o'clock I weighed, and commenced a slow fire from my 
 pivot gun with shot and shell at 2,000 yards, confining my fire as much as possible to the 
 batteries that were being armed. 
 
 At 5"20 P.M. I ceased firing and anchored. At about 7 p.m. I received a despatch 
 from Mr. Gibson at Takow, informing me that he had arrived at an agreement with Tsung 
 Taoutae solely on account of my holding Amping, and that the British forces were to 
 continue to occupy Amping until the agreement was ratified by the Vice-Regal Government 
 of Fukien. 
 
 1 immediately saw of what consequence it was that I should be in actual possession 
 of Amping, and the disastrous effect it would have on the negotiations pending if the 
 Chinese put Amping in such a state of defence as might defy the small force at my 
 disposal. 
 
 I accordingly came to the conclusion to storm the town of Amping the same night. 
 
 At 10*30 P.M. I left the ship in the gig and cutter j the gig containing one officer 
 and eleven men, the cutter one officer and thirteeil meUj making a total of two officers and 
 twenty-three men. 
 
 I landed on the beach about two miles below the town through a heavy surf, in 
 which, notwithstanding every precaution, the gig was swamped and sunk. 
 
 After forming on the beach I advanced on the town, feeling my way with great 
 caution, throwing out skirmishers and taking advantage of every inequality of the ground 
 to conceal my advance ; when I got within 800 yards of the fortifications, seeing that the 
 
15 
 
 enemy was on the alert, I took advantage of a steep bank, making the men lie down 
 behind it, and determined to wait until the moon had gone down. 
 
 At 2.40 A.M., the moon having gone down, I advanced again, and succeeded in pene- 
 trating into the heart of the town without being discovered. 
 
 I then managed to obtain a guide, and made for the Heptai's yam^n. 
 On breaking into the Heptai's yara6n we discovered a guard-room full of soldiers, in 
 number about fifty, who immediately barricaded the door, and extinguished the lights ; 
 however, port-tires being at hand, they were immediately lighted, the door was burst in, 
 when, notwithstanding all my personal endeavours and those of an interpreter I had with 
 me, who assured them their lives would be spared, and they themselves allowed to go free 
 if they laid down their arms, they would not, and reluctantly, in self-defence, I was 
 obliged to give the order to fire. 
 
 The Chinese scldiers succeeded in breaking down a door in their rear, and escaped; 
 suffering, however, a serious loss of eleven killed and about six wounded. 
 
 I then marched to the Custom-house, halting there till daylight before I advanced 
 further, posting sentries on Fort Zelandia commanding the town, and also in the neigh- 
 bouring streets. I managed to write a despatch here, informing the British Consul at 
 Takow of what had taken place, and requested him to proceed to Amping in Her Majesty's 
 ship "Bustard," which I ordered up to reinforce me immediately. 
 
 This despatch T succeeded in getting conveyed to the Consul by offering a heavy 
 bribe to a native courier. 
 
 Directly it was daylight I concentrated my men, and advanced to take possession of 
 the lines facing towards Taiwan-foo. 1 had only just reached the lines when I observed a 
 large body of the enemy advancing to the attack, led on by a Mandarin carrying a yellow 
 flag. 
 
 I immediately lined the embankment, and opened a heavy fire on the enemy, who 
 stood and returned the fire for about five minutes, when they broke and fled towards 
 Taiwan-foo, sustaining a loss, as I have since ascertained, of six killed and about ten 
 wounded. 
 
 I posted sentries and established guards round the entrenchments, barricading the gate 
 leading to Taiwan-foo, and withdrawing the planks of it. 
 
 During the afternoon a deputation of the chief merchants of Taiwan-foo arrived, 
 informing me that they had been sent by Liang Taoutae of Taiwan, and requesting to know 
 what my terms were, as they were empowered by Liang to grant any demand I preferred. 
 
 I informed them that 1 required a sura of 40,000 dollars to be paid over to me before 
 noon the next day, as a guarantee that all Mr. Gibson's demands were fulfilled, the sum 
 in question not to be returned until his agreement was ratified by the Vice-Regal 
 Government of Fukien. 
 
 In case this demand of mine was not complied with, I informed the deputation that 
 I should advance on Taiwan-foo. 
 
 During the night I was informed that my demand of a guarantee of 40,000 dollars 
 would be complied with, they being guaranteed to arrive at my head-quarters not later 
 than 4 p.m. that day, viz., the 27th instant. At daybreak on Friday morning Her 
 Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard " arrived, with Mr. Gibson the Consul on board, and about 
 10 A.M. Lieutenant Johnson and thirteen men from her landed to reinforce me. 
 
 During the day I employed the force in destroying all stores of arms that I could 
 discover, blowing up the magazine in Fort Zelandia to prevent any accident happening 
 from the large quantity of powder stored there, and which was stowed in a very dangerous 
 and careless mannei\ 
 
 The 40,000 dollars arrived at head-quarters from Taiwan-foo about 4 o'clock, and 
 were sent off to Her Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine " for safe custody, I giving a receipt 
 and guarantee to the persons bringing it that it would be restored on the fulfilment of 
 Mr. Gibson's demands by the Vice-Regal Government of Fukien. On Sunday, the 29th 
 instant, at about 11 a.m., Tsung, Taoutae of Amoy, arrived for a conference, and was 
 received with all due honours. 
 
 The Consul requested me as senior naval officer to make any demands that I required 
 from the Chinese authorities, when I requested from them, before Her Majesty's forces 
 under my command re-embarked, the payment of the sum of 10,000 dollars, to be applied 
 as follows : the sura of 5,000 dollars for repayraent to the British Government of any 
 expense incurred by them in the present expedition ; also a further sum of 5,000 dollars, 
 to be paid to me for a ransom for all guns and other Government stores remaining in the 
 town of Amping, the sum in question to be distributed as prize-money to the officers and 
 men under ray command. This demand was complied with, when I on my part agreed to 
 return the sum of 40,000 dollars deposited as a guarantee with me, to restore the raan-of- 
 [212] ^ 
 
16 
 
 war lorcha, taken by Her Majesty's ship under my command, and to embark the forces 
 under my command, at that time in possession of Amping ; these promises being condi- 
 tional on Tsung Taoutae's fulfilling the following requests : — 
 
 That he should send Mr. Gibson a despatch guaranteeing the dismissal of Liang 
 Taoutae and other otBcials implicated in the late disturbances in Formosa; 
 
 That Tseng Taoutae should guarantee that no Chinese military force should attempt to 
 occupy Amping until the ratification by the Vice-regal Government of Fukien of the 
 British Cousul's requests ; the town of Amping in the meantime being held by us from a 
 gun-boat; 
 
 That all indemnity money demanded from Mr. Gibson should be paid immediately, 
 and delinquents concerned in the late outrages brought to trial and punished forthwith. 
 
 These requests were all comphed with ; the Taoutae of Amoy returning to Taiwan-foa 
 about 2 P.M. 
 
 On Tuesday the 1st of December the Tsien of Taiwan-foo arrived with the sum of 
 lOjOOO dollars, the indemnity required by me before the embarkation of Her Majesty's 
 forces under my command, for which I gave him a receipt, and handed over to him in 
 return the 40,000 dollars in my possession as a guarantee for the fulfilment of the Consul's 
 demands. The man-of-war lorcha had been restored to the Chinese officials on the 
 previous day. 
 
 An arrangement was also made with the Tsien to receive over civil possession of the 
 town from me at 10 o'clock the following morning, Her Majesty's forces under my 
 command embarking immediately after the ceremony. 
 
 At noon on Wednesday, the 2nd instant, the Tsien of Taiwan-foo arrived, and was 
 received with all due honours at the main guard, where T handed over officially to him the 
 Civil Government of Amping; Her Majesty's forces then marched down to their boats, 
 and embarked without delay, after having held Amping since Thursday the 26th of 
 November. 
 
 I have the honour to state for your information that when captured by me the town 
 of Amping had mounted on its fortifications forty-one guns, and there were in store ready 
 for mounting no less than 101. The above-mentioned guns varied in size, but the greater 
 number consisted of 18- and 12-pounders. 
 
 I also destroyed whilst in possession of Amping about 4,000 stand of arms, consisting 
 of gingalls, matchlocks, bows and arrows, swords and spears. I weighed at 2 p.m., with 
 the Consul on board, and proceeded to Takow, leaving the " Bustard " at Amping 
 inside the Bar to see that no breach of the negotiations were attempted by the Chinese 
 authorities. 
 
 T must beg leave to bring to your notice, for the information of the Commander-in- 
 chief, the admirable conduct of the men, not one single complaint having been made 
 by the inhabitants of a case of plunder. 
 
 On the Surgeon's recommendation I issued extra rations of coffee and spirits during 
 the night whilst landing. 
 
 T beg that you will be pleased to bring to the notice of the Commander-in-chief the 
 case of Mr. Walker, boatswain, third class, who has been six years in that rank. 
 Mr. Walker proved invaluable to me whilst on shore, and his certificates are all remarkably 
 good. 
 
 I hope that you will be pleased to approve of all ray proceedings which have brought 
 to an end all the claims that have been now pending for the last nine months. 
 
 Being very short of coal I have written to Messrs. Tait and Co., Amoy, the Naval 
 Contractor, for coal, to send me, per next trip of the " Eliza Mary," thirty-five tons of 
 Welsh coal. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) THORNHAUGH P. GURDON. 
 
 P.S. — I omitted to state in the due course of my letter that on December 1, 1 returned 
 to the Tsien Taiwan-foo the sum of 200 dollars, the same having been paid by agreement 
 by the Captain of the lorcha, for smashing my boats when towing her out, as I 
 considered the sum of 5,000 dollars paid for expenses incurred by the British Government 
 would cover all expenses. tioan-s^^^"™ 
 
 I beg to inclose the British Consul's original acknowledgment of my letter of 
 proceedings to him. 
 
 T. P. G. 
 
17 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No. 6. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to the Senior N'aval Officer, Taiwan. 
 
 Sir, Taiwan; Takao Office, Decembers, 186^. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 2nd instant, inform- 
 ing me of your distinguished success in capturing Fort Zelandia and the town of Amping, 
 which the local Government put into a state of defence, notwithstanding that Tseng Ta-jin 
 and myself agreed upon Tuesday the 24th ultimo should remain in our mihtary possession 
 until all my conditions had been fulfilled, and Liang Taoutae and his subordinates removed. 
 For your gallant and noble action, as well as in your subsequent affair, I offer you my 
 cordial congratulations. In taking upon yourself the risk and the responsibility of this 
 unprecedented and decided success, I consider that the bravery of your spirit was only 
 subordinate to the firm determination of your will in performing the deed. 
 
 The Chinese local officials brought this misfortune upon themselves, as Tseng Ta-jin 
 in our conference at Amping admitted. If not decidedly uncalled for, I beg to thank your 
 officers and men for behaving so gallantly. 
 
 There are, however, three adverse remarks which I would make. In the first place; 
 respecting the 40,000 dollars. In all negotiations whether entered into by a naval, military^ 
 or civil officer, one must contemplate facts. The 40,000 dollars belonged, as a fact, to the 
 native merchants, and your judgment will clearly perceive that this sum could be na 
 guarantee to me that my conditions should be carried out by the local authorities even 
 under the agreement which you lay down. In China the relative ranks of the merchants 
 and the local oflicials are so diverse that the property of the former can make no impres- 
 sion upon the latter. In the second place, regarding the 200 dollars which you mention 
 in your despatch, I am fully persuaded that in restoring this money you did well. In the 
 third place, respecting the 10,000 dollars: although this sum had nearly brought the 
 negotiations to a dead lock, I have no objection to find with this, provided the Admiral 
 approves of the justice of your proceeding. 
 
 I have replied to your despatch in an honest and straightforward manner, as I ami 
 sure you desire me to do ; but no adverse remark of mine can diminish that distinguished 
 and dauntless action of yours in capturing Fort Zelandia and the town of Amping by your 
 gallant crew. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 Inclosure 7 in No. 6. 
 Commodore Jones to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppei. 
 
 Sir, "Princess Charlotte," Hong Kong, December 21, 1868. 
 
 IN submitting this letter fcom Lieutenant Thornhaugh Philip Gurdon, then Senioar 
 Officer at Takao, I cannot withhold the expression of my admiration at the brillianfr 
 exploit he records, and at the wise manner he, in conjunction with Mr. Consul Gibson, 
 have brought all the matters in question between them and the Chinese authorities in 
 Taiwan-foo to so satisfactory a conclusion. 
 
 I would also bring to your favourable notice his recommendation of Mr. James 
 Walker, boatswain, third class. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) OLIVER J. JONES. 
 
 No. 7. 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — (Received February 22.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, February 22, 1869v 
 
 WITH reference to my letter of the 17th instant, I am commanded by my Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the inforniation of the Earl of 
 Clarendon, a copy of a letter from Vice-Admiral the Honourable Sir Henry Keppel, dated 
 the 6th of January, with its inclosures in original, relating to the proceedings of 
 Lieutenant Gurdon, of Her Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine," in capturing Fort Zelandia. 
 and the fortifications of the village of Am^pingin Formosa, and stating that he has requested 
 
18 
 
 Mr. Gibson, Acting Consul at Takow, to restore to the local authorities the sum of 10,000 
 dollars, demanded by Lieutenant Gurdon ; half to cover the cost of coal and ammunition 
 expended ; the other half as a ransom for guns captured in the fort. 
 
 My Lords request that the inclosures to Sir H. Keppel's letter, as well as those 
 forwarded in my letter of the 17th instant, may be returned when done with. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 7. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, "Princess Charlotte," Hong Kong, January 6, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to Commodore Jones' letter to you of the 28th December, ]868> 
 giving cover to Lieutenant T. P. Gurdon's report of the capture, by the crew of the 
 " Algerine," under his command, of Fort Zelandia and the defences of the town of Amping 
 in Formosa, 
 
 2. Their Lordships will observe by the annexed copy of a letter addressed by me to 
 Her Majesty's Minister that I had made arrangements to assemble a force at Takow 
 competent to occupy, if necessary, the town of Taiwan-foo, with a view to exacting the 
 redress for outrages which had been denied to more peaceable efforts. 
 
 3. The prompt and gallant action of Lieutenant Gurdon has, however, anticipated the 
 more extensive operations contemplated by me, aud it only remains to be seen how far 
 circumstances justified the action of that officer. 
 
 4. Mr. Gibson, Her Majesty's Acting Consul, having made a requisition to 
 Lieutenant Gurdon, in which he stated that, "for the bare existence and interests of 
 British subjects in Taiwan," it was necessary to seize and hold Fort Zelandia and the town 
 of Amping as a guarantee for the settlement of the claims evaded by the Fukien Govern- 
 ment during the previous five months, it appears that Lieutenant Gurdon was justified in 
 complying with the urgent requisition of Her Majesty's Consul, who, in making it, assumed 
 a grave responsibihty ; events, however, proved the wisdom of the course suggested by 
 him, acting on which a settlement has been brought about by Lieutenant Gurdon of the 
 just claims so long and contemptuously denied. 
 
 5. The Fort of Zelandia and defences of Amping form the key to the town of 
 Taiwan-foo, from which it is distant about 3,000 yards. 
 
 6. As the Consul's negotiations started from the point that this key to Taiwan 
 should be held by Her Majesty's forces as a guarantee for the fulfilment of his demands, 
 the Chinese authorities committed a breach of faith in preparing for resistance hf 
 fortifying the defences. 
 
 7. The shoal water rendered it impossible for the " Algerine " to retain command of 
 the town from the ship ; she was distant about 2,000 yards from the forts, and could not 
 have prevented the construction of earth-works at night. Forty-one guns had already 
 been placed in position, 101 were found ready in store; a delay would have seen these 
 guns in position, and Her Majesty's naval forces then at Formosa could not, with any hope 
 of success, have attempted to storm so formidable a defence. 
 
 8- Lieutenant Gurdon, therefore, merits praise for the promptitude and gallantry with 
 which he surprised the place at night, being alive to the importance of preventing the 
 authorities further strengthening their position, as it was apparent that the means of 
 defence at their command, if properly employed, would have enabled them to view with 
 contempt the small force opposed to them, thus exposing British subjects in the district of 
 Taiwan to the risk of fatal outrage. 
 
 9. Bearing in mind the brilliant success which marked Lieutenant Gurdon's 
 operations, it is not my intention to reflect on the apparent inadequacy of the force with 
 which they were undertaken. The men were in admirable discipline ; the rapidity of their 
 fire with the Snider rifle led the Chinese to believe that a much larger force was opposed 
 to them. The judicious attack by night, combined with Lieutenant Gurdon's precaution 
 to conceal his men until the moon had gone down, struck terror in the hearts of the native 
 troops, leaving Lieutenant Gurdon master of a position to effect which peaceful diplomacy 
 had exhausted every effort. 
 
 10. Tliis review of Lieutenant Gurdon's proceedings enables me to warmly solicit 
 their Lordships' favourable consideration of his gallant and judicious services. I trust also 
 that their Lordships will be pleased to appreciate the important assistance rendered by 
 
19 
 
 Mr. James Walker (B), Boatswain, an exemplary officer who has served six years in the 
 Third Class. Their Lordships cannot ftiil to be gratified with the creditable and steady 
 discipline of the "Algerine's" landing-party when fighting against twenty times their 
 number. 
 
 1 1 . Lieutenant Gurdon has brought about a result which appeared to me to require a 
 force of 600 men. Had the Chinese authorities placed Taiwan-foo and Amping in a state 
 of defence wilh the means at their command, (he force I have named would have been 
 indispensable, as the native garrison consists, I am informed, of 3,000 well-armed troops. 
 
 12. With reference to Lieutenant Gurdon's demands that 40,000 dollars should be 
 handed over as a material guarantee to be returned when all the questions at issue were 
 satisfactorily settled, — this sum was at once returned on Her Majesty's Consul expressing 
 an opinion that the money being subscribed by the native merchants could not be viewed 
 as a guarantee proceeding from the local authorities. 
 
 13. Finding, however, that Her Majesty's Consul still retains the sum of 10,000 
 dollars demanded by Lieutenant Gurdon, half to cover the cost of coal and ammunition 
 expended, the remainder to be received as a ransom for the store of guns captured in the 
 fort, I have requested Mr. Gibson to restore this sum to the local authorities, concurring, 
 with him in the belief that, otherwise, the impression might be formed that we were " in 
 quest of money, not of justice." 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 7. 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis," at Singapore, December 10, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 
 29th October, informing me that you had brought the conduct of the Taoutae of Taiwan 
 to the notice of the Tsungli Yam^n, and that you had received the assurance of the 
 Minister that it had been determined to remove him from his post. 
 
 With reference to your instructions to Mr. Consul Swinhoe to proceed to Taiwan, 
 and prosecute further inquiries, in concert with the Senior Naval Officer, to enforce a full 
 measure of justice for the injuries inflicted on British subjects both as regards persons and 
 property, in reply, I have the honour to express my conviction that in Formosa it appears 
 to be especially requisite to convince the authorities of our ability to enforce a due respect 
 for our Treaty rights. 
 
 The copy of a Memorandum I have had occasion to address to Lieutenant Johnson 
 of the " Bustard " will assure you of my disapproval of coercive threats being employed 
 without ample means being at hand to carry them out. 
 
 To provide such means, I have directed Captain Ross to proceed to Formosa in the 
 "Pearl," where he will take the "Perseus," " Rinaldo," "Dwarf," "Gnat," " Slaney," 
 "Janus," and " Bustard " under his orders. 
 
 Your Excellency will further observe by the accompanying Memorandum that I 
 disapprove of any coercive measures being adopted except such as cannot fail to be 
 successful. 
 
 It appears to me that the addition of the " Rodney " to the force enumerated would 
 provide a landing-party thoroughly competent to carry out operations ; the first of which 
 would probably be the capture and occupation of the town of Taiwan. 
 
 I have therefore instructed the Senior Officer on the coast of Formosa in accordance 
 with these views, and as 1 hope to reach Shanghae early in January, where the " Rodney " 
 awaits me, I shall be in a position to join the force off Takow a few days later should 
 circumstances demand my presence. 
 
 The Senior Officer at Takow has been instructed to act with the concurrence of 
 Her Majesty's Consul, to whom he is to afford a cordial and effective support. 
 
 I have furnished Mr. Swinhoe with a copy of this letter and its inclosures. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
20 
 
 laclosure 3 in No. 7. 
 Orders issued by Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Memo. " Salamis," at Sarawak, November 23, 1868. 
 
 WITH reference to a letter from Lieutenant C. Johnson of the "Bustard," dated 
 Srd November, reporting that a Mandarin at Takow, attended by several of the Taoutae's 
 soldiers, sent on the night of the 30th October for a Chinese in the employ of Messrs. Ellis 
 and Co., and attempted to interrogate him in an unofficial and peremptory manner on 
 matters connected with Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s affairs ; and it appearing that Lieutenant 
 Johnson landed, with the concurrence of Her Majesty's Consul, an armed force to compel 
 the Mandarin to give up all claim to right in such behaviour, and further that Lieutenant 
 Johnson addressed a letter to the Chintai at Taiwan, stating that he would make prisoners 
 of any person or persons whom the Taoutae may send in an unofficial manner to interfere 
 with British subjects or their servants, 
 
 I disapprove of the course adopted by Lieutenant Johnson, principally because the 
 threats he holds out are likely to be impracticable with the force at his disposal, and 
 consequently undignified. 
 
 The Formosa difficulty is one easily solved. Certain demands have been made for 
 redress ; if persistently denied, they will be enforced : but the authority to commence 
 hostilities rests with Her Majesty's Representative in China. 
 
 Threats and expostulations are thrown away on the Taoutae at Taiwan : it is apparent 
 that a severe punishment should be inflicted by a competent force. I have expressed to 
 Her Majesty's Minister my readiness to execute this service with the force at my 
 command. Her Majesty's Acting Consul and British subjects in Formosa may therefore 
 be assured that satisfaction will be exacted in every case that it appears justly due, and 
 ample redress secured for the breaches of Treaty rights of which British subjects have 
 been the victims. 
 
 In the meantime, Her Majesty's Consul at Takow has no right to appeal to, or 
 encourage, one of Her Majesty's officers to commit a directly hostile act towards the 
 Chinese authorities. The present duty of Her Majesty's ships is to protect British life. If 
 British subjects find they are not adequately protected on shore, they should embark in 
 Her Majesty's ships. 
 
 To facilitate impending operations, I request that you will apply to Her Majesty's 
 Consul for any information he can afford as to the number and nature of the force to be 
 encountered at Taiwan, accompanied by a plan of the walls of that town, showing their 
 height and accessibility; also the position of the gates, especially with reference to the 
 official quarter, stating the number of guns in position, and whether the nature of the 
 country will admit of field-batteries being brought up. 
 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL, 
 
 Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-chief. 
 To the Senior Officer of Her Majesty's Ships, 
 Takow. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 7. 
 Orders issued by Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Menao. " Salamis," at Singapore, December 10, 1868. 
 
 I INCLOSE, for your information and guidance, the copy of a letter from Her 
 Majesty's Minister in China, giving cover to his letter of instructions to Mr. Consul 
 Swinhoe, directing him to proceed to Formosa, where he is to demand full redress for the 
 injm'ies inflicted on British subjects, both as regards persons and property. Should the 
 authorities fail to afford full compliance with our demands, Mr. Swinhoe will place the 
 matter in your hands. 
 
 You will wait my instructions before you adopt any coercive measures, except such as 
 cannot possibly fail to be successful, such as the establishment of a blockade, or the seizure 
 of vessels of the local Government, as a material guarantee for the fulfilment of our 
 demands. 
 
 In all your proceedings you are to act with the concurrence of Mr. Swinhoe, to whom 
 you will render a cordial and effective support. 
 
 You will promptly acquaint me with your proceedings, sending the duplicate of your 
 letter under flying seal, to the Commodore, and the original to Shanghae, to wait my 
 arrival. 
 
Should further denial of our demands render it necessary to occupy the town of 
 Taiwan, it is my intention to join you, without delay, in the " Rodney," accompanied by 
 such additional force for operations on shore as your reports may appear to render 
 necessary. 
 
 The following vessels are already either on the coast of Formosa, or are under orders 
 for that destination, where they will be available for active operations in Takao and its 
 neighbourhood:— "Pearl," "Perseus," "Rinaldo," "Dwarf," " Gnat," "Slaney," "Janus," 
 and " Bustard." 
 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL, 
 
 Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-chief. 
 The Senior Officer of Her Majesty's Ships, 
 Takow. 
 
 No. 8. 
 Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the Admiralty^ 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, February 23, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE laid before the Earl of Clarendon your letter of the l7th instant, inclosing 
 papers respecting the proceedings of Her Majesty's Acting Consul at Taiwan, in Formosa, 
 and the Commander of Her Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine " and expressing the wish of 
 the Board of Admiralty to be informed whether his Lordship approves of those 
 proceedings. 
 
 I am to request that you will acquaint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that 
 although no official reports of these transactions have as yet reached this office directly 
 from any of Her Majesty's servants in China who are under the control of this office, yet 
 as among the papers inclosed in your letter is found Mr. Gibson's Report of the 18th of 
 December, to Sir Rutherford Alcock on the subject. Lord Clarendon considers that he is 
 sufficiently well informed to admit of his at once making known to their Lordships his 
 opinion, and he is compelled with regret to say that it is wholly unfavourable, whether as 
 regards the conduct of the Acting Consul or that of the Naval Officer, save as regards the 
 operations of the latter considered in a professional point of view, the appreciation of which 
 he must leave to the Board of Admiralty. 
 
 There was clearly no occasion for these two subordinate authorities to commit any 
 acts of hostility whatever ; any danger to life or property was, for the time at least, at an 
 end, and had been so for many weeks ; the question at issue was the amount of reparation 
 which might be due, to be ascertained by local inquiry ; and any remissness on the part of 
 the authorities to afford adequate reparation was a matter for discussion between Her 
 Majesty's Minister and the Chinese Government at Peking, and not one to be adjusted by 
 a precipitate recourse to reprisals by a subordinate Civil or Naval Officer. 
 
 Lord Clarendon will convey this opinion to Sir Rutherford Alcock by the next mail. 
 The Lords of the Admiralty will see that his Lordship strongly disapproves of the 
 proceedings on the part of the British officers concerned, and he sincerely trusts that the 
 instructions recently sent to China by their Lordships and by himself will prevent the 
 recurrence of these unnecessary acts of violence. 
 
 Equally reprehensible, in Lord Clarendon's view, are the many particulars stated in 
 the correspondence, and to which his Lordship's attention is pointedly called in your letter, 
 whether as regards the guarantee of 40,000 dollars demanded by the Commander of the 
 "Algerine" and afterwards returned by him, or the two sums of 5,000 dollars each, one 
 under the title of indemnity for expenditure of warlike stores in attacking the Chinese 
 fort, the other under that of prize-money, which were exacted from the Chinese 
 authorities. ,^. ^ 
 
 Lord Clarendon considers that these last sums should be immediately returned to the 
 Chinese authorities ; and Sir Rutherford Alcock will be instructed to apprize the Chinese 
 Government that the conduct of the British officers in exacting them is regretted and 
 disavowed, and that orders have been given for the restitution of the money. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
 P.S. — I inclose a copy of Lord Clarendon's instruction to Sir Eutherford Alcock, 
 referred to in this letter.* 
 
 B. H. 
 
 * No. 9. 
 
22 
 
 No. 9. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 •Sir, Foreign Office, February 23, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received from the Board of Admiralty a copy of Mr. Acting Consul 
 Gibson's despatch to you of the 18th of December, reporting the measures of coercion 
 which on his apphcation had been appHed to the Chinese authorities in the neighbourhood 
 of Taiwan by Lieutenant Gurdon, of Her Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine," in order to 
 obtain redress for wrongs done to British subjects, missionaries and others. I have 
 received no official report of these transactions from any other quarter ; but as 
 Mr. Gibson's report to you speaks for itself, there is no occasion for me to delay making 
 known to you the impression produced on Her Majesty's Government by the transactions 
 of which he gives an account. 
 
 I conclude the grievances at Taiwan are those to which the Inclosures No. 4 to No. 15 
 in your despatch of the 29th of October relate,* and as I find no other despatch 
 from you to Mr. Gibson than that of the 29th of October, I presume that it is the 
 despatch which Mr. Gibson erroneously quotes as bearing date the 9th of that month. I 
 wish, for Mr. Gibson's sake, that such may not be the case ; for I find in the copy of the 
 despatch to him, which you have sent home, under date of the 29th of October, the 
 following passage : " Until Mr. Swinhoe takes charge, you will continue to maintain, to 
 the best of your ability, and with such means as are at your disposal, the Treaty rights so 
 flagrantly violated, but avoiding any offensive measures, which, if found necessaiy, will be 
 better undertaken when the force the Admiral proposes sending arrives with the Consul." 
 
 Rash and inexcusable as Mr. Gibson's proceedings would, under any circumstances, 
 have been, they would be doubly so if your despatch was in his hands when, on the 20th 
 of November, he called upon the Lieutenant comn)anding Her Majesty's gun-vessel 
 "Algerine" to make reprisals, by seizing and holding Fort Zelandia and the town of 
 Amping. 
 
 You will learn from the inclosed copies of correspondence between this office and the 
 Admiralty! the view taken by Her Majesty's Government of the measures by which 
 Mr. Gibson's requisition was carried into effect. The Board of Admiralty will, of course, 
 deal with their own officers ; but as regards Mr. Gibson, I have to instruct you to convey 
 to him my unqualified disapproval of his conduct, whether acting without having received 
 your instructions of the 29th of October, or in neglect of them. 
 
 It is quite clear that Mr. Gibson is wholly unfit to be entrusted with any discretionary 
 power, or to be placed in any other than a situation where he will be constantly under the 
 superintendence and control of a superior Consular officer on the spot. His proper office 
 is that of Interpreter, and you will be careful not to place under his charge the super- 
 intendence, even temporary, of a Consulate or Vice -Consulate, for the duties of which 
 judgment, tact, discretion, and moderation are essential requisites. 
 
 I need scarcely say that under no circumstances must he be allowed to remain in 
 Formosa; and I only hope that the judgment thus passed on his conduct will produce a 
 salutary impression throughout the Consular service in China, and serve as a warning to all 
 persons employed in it, that Her Majesty's Government will visit with the severest 
 condemnation acts of violence wantonly undertaken and carried out without the express 
 sanction of Her Majesty's Government. 
 
 1 am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — (Received February 27.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, February 26, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to your letter of the 23rd instant, expressing the disapproval of the 
 Earl of Clarendon of the capture of Fort Zelandia and other operations carried out by 
 Lieutenant Gurdon, commanding Her Majesty's gun-vessel "Algerine," in conjunction with 
 Acting Consul Gibson, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to 
 transmit herewith, for the information of Lord Clarendon, a copy of a letter which 
 has been addressed by their Lordships' desire to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel on this 
 subject. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 * See " China No. 2 (1869)," Inclosures 4 to 15 in No. 14. f Nos. 6 and 8. 
 
23 
 Inclosure in "So. 10. 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 ^^^> Admiralty, February 26, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 
 6th January, and its inclosures, giving an account of the capture of Fort Zelandia 
 and Amping in Taiwan, Formosa, by Lieutenant Gurdon, commanding Her Majesty's 
 gun-vessel "Algerine," a report of which had already been received in a letter from 
 Commodore Jones of 2Sth December. 
 
 Their Lordships having communicated with the Earl of Clarendon, regret that they 
 must take an entirely different view of these transactions from that adopted by you. 
 
 A copy of the letter which was addressed by the Admiralty to the Foreign Office on 
 the 17th instant, together with copy of Lord Clarendon's reply to the same, are 
 trasnmitted herewith for your information.* 
 
 In conveying their Lordships' judgment in this unmistakeable manner, they desire me 
 to state that they will not make any further remark on portions of your letter which they 
 would otherwise have noticed at greater length. 
 
 With reference, however, to the manner in which the operations themselves were 
 conducted (irrespective altogether of the propriety or wisdom of undertaking the same), 
 my Lords desire me to express their appreciation of the great gallantry and skill displayed 
 by Lieutenant Gurdon and the officers and men under his command ; and, in conformity 
 ■with your wish, Mr. James Walker the boatswain recommended in your despatch, will 
 receive a special promotion to the Second Class of Warrant Officers. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 No. 11. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — {Received April 1 .) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, March 31, 1869. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you here- 
 with, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copy of a letter 
 from Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel, dated 27th January, stating the complete fulfilment 
 of all demands made by the British authorities on the Taiwan Government, Formosa. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 11. 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H, Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, "Rodney," at Hong Kong, January 27, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of 
 the Admiralty, the copy of a letter addressed to me by Mr. Consul Swinhoe, referring to 
 the recent successful proceedings of Lieutenant Thornhaugh P. Gurdon at Amping, in the 
 Taiwan district of Formosa, together with the copy of an order I had addressed to the 
 Senior Officer of this division, previous to the receipt of Mr. Swinhoe's letter. 
 
 2. I have also the honour to forward the copy of a letter from Mr. Gibson, Acting 
 Consul at Taiwan, reporting the complete fulfilment of all his demands, — a result brought 
 about by the prompt steps taken by Lieutenant Gurdon, 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 * Nos. 6 and 8. 
 [212J E 
 
24 
 
 No. 12. 
 Mr. Matheson to the Earl of Clarendon. — (Received April I.) 
 
 My Lord, The Holmwood, Dorking, March 31, 1869. 
 
 IN order that a correct view may be obtained by your Lordship of the position of the 
 Protestant Mission in Formosa, in relation to the late events in that island, 1 take the 
 liberty of offering the following information : — 
 
 That Mission is a branch of one whose head-quarters are at Amoy on the mainland, 
 and which is maintained by the English Presbyterian Church. 
 
 It has now been in existence for twenty-one years, and in that time 550 Chinese have 
 been gathered into the Christian Church, scattered in httle groups over a wide extent of 
 country. There are few of these Chinese converts who have not suffered more or less 
 persecution for the sake of the Gospel. 
 
 There are now ten missionaries on the staff, all of them men of intelligence, 
 prudence, and piety, and who have had a college training of from seven to eight years before 
 leaving this country. One of their number, who died lately, was the Rev. W. C. Burns, 
 whose name is honoured wherever foreigners are known in China, and who was consulted 
 by Lord Elgin on his first going to that country. 
 
 Another, Dr. Maxwell, commenced the Mission in Formosa in 1865, by taking a 
 house in Taiwan-foo, the capital of the island. The people were most friendly ; and 
 Dr. Maxwell being a medical missionary at once won his way. But some literary students 
 stirred up a mob and he was compelled to retire, and took up his quarters at Takow, a 
 neighbouring seaport. Here he built a hospital and, with several native Christians as 
 evangelists, he has been engaged during the last three years in healing the sick and 
 preaching the gospel in the surrounding country. 
 
 As one result of these labours, there are now eighteen baptized converts, chiefly 
 belonging to a town called Pitow, about seven miles inland. 
 
 It was soon found that the Chinese authorities entertained an inveterate hatred of all 
 foreigners, whether missionaries or merchants : and nearly all the late troubles have been 
 traceable to officials connected with the local Government. 
 
 Last summer, inflammatory placards were widely circulated, stating that the conver- 
 sions were effected by poisoning the food of the people, the populace became excited, the 
 chapel at Pitow was attacked by a mob, and destroyed ; one of the evangelists was 
 imprisoned, and the native Christians and their families had to flee for their lives. Soon 
 after this, one of the most remarkable of the converts was brutally murdered when 
 visiting a neighbouring village on his own private affairs ; and after being stoned to death, 
 his heart was torn out, and eaten by the most savage of his murderers. 
 
 As a Mission we deprecate the idea of seeking the support of an armed force in 
 carrying on our work, and our missionaries are prepared to meet dangers and opposition in 
 the conflict of Christianity with heathenism ; but as native Christians are entitled to 
 protection under the Treaty, and it was wholly denied them by their own Government, 
 Dr. Maxwell sent a Memorial to Her Majesty's Representative at Peking, praying for the 
 redress of these grievances. 
 
 On some previous occasions the happiest results have been attained by the timely 
 intervention of the Consular authorities ; and it has always been felt to be a graceful act 
 on the part of a Christian Government. Perhaps I may be permitted to state, after an 
 experience of China, extending over thirty years, first as a merchant and partner in the 
 firm of Jardine, Matheson, and Co., of Hong Kong, and afterwards in connection with 
 missionary operations, that the wise and vigorous action of the Consular authorities in 
 meeting the artifice and duplicity of the Chinese officials has repeatedly produced the 
 most beneficial results, I will not say in the cause of missions merely, but in the cause of 
 peace and Ol-der. 
 
 Personally I feel deeply grateful for the dehverance effected in Formosa by the 
 Consul and the naval officers who were engaged in the settlement of these difficulties ; and 
 T trust that our Mission will be exonerated from any blame in regard to them. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) DOND. MATHESON, 
 
 One of the Committee for Foreign Missions of the 
 English Presbyterian Church. 
 
no 
 
 Inclosure in No. 12. 
 
 Statistics of the Presbyterian Church Mission. 
 
 China. 
 
 Missionaries. 
 
 The Rev. W. C. Burns 
 
 C. Douglas 
 
 George Smith 
 
 W. S. Swanson (returning to) 
 
 H. L. Mackenzie. . 
 
 Hugh Cowie 
 
 W. Macgregor . . 
 „ Hugh Ritchie 
 William Gauld, M.D. 
 James Maxwell, M.D. 
 
 » 
 
 
 arrived in China 1847, now at New-chwaijg. 
 
 » 
 
 1855, 
 
 » 
 
 Amoy, 
 
 1857, 
 
 }} 
 
 Swatow. 
 
 1860, 
 
 }> 
 
 Amoy. 
 
 I860, 
 
 )} 
 
 Swatow. 
 
 1863, 
 
 » 
 
 Anaoy. 
 
 1864, 
 
 » 
 
 Amoy. 
 
 1867, 
 
 ?> 
 
 Formosa, 
 
 1863, 
 
 )} 
 
 Swatow. 
 
 1863, 
 
 » 
 
 Formosa. 
 
 Native Evangelists. — 18 at Amoy, 8 at Swatow, and 6 at Formosa. 
 Students at Amoy, 9. 
 
 Stations, 
 
 District of Amoy. — E-mung-kang, Pechuia, Bay-pay, Khi-boey, Ljong-bim-see, 
 Yu-boey-kio, Anhai, Chin-chew, Peh-chioh, Yu-bu-siu. 
 
 District of Swatow. — Swatow, Tat-hau-po, Yam-tsau, Ching-chung, Ampow, Ung- 
 kung, Toa-soa-thau, Kway-tham, Saipow, Hoo city. 
 
 District of Formosa. — Ta-kow, Pgtaou or Pitow. 
 
 Account of Cheng-hong, who was murdered. 
 
 Chen-hong had been an officer on board a junk, and one of the sailors having met 
 with an accident, Chen-hong had him conveyed to Amoy hospital, and watched him for 
 two successive nights. The hospital-keeper, an aged Christian, conversed with Cheng-hong 
 on the subject of religion. The truth took hold of him, and on returning to his native 
 place in the north of Formosa, he at once destroyed the idols in his house ; but finding no 
 spiritual rest, and hearing of a Christian mission in the south of the island, he left part of 
 his property in charge of a relative, and taking some money concealed in a girdle, he set 
 out on a nine days' journey on foot, in search of the mission chapel. He reached Takow 
 on a Saturday, dusty and foot-sore, and told his tale. The following day he heard the 
 Gospel preached, listened with intense earnestness, and at once embraced the truth. After 
 his baptism, he set up in business at Takow, and has since then been most useful in assisting 
 to spread the knowledge of salvation. 
 
 No. 13. 
 
 Mr. Otway to Mr. Maiheson. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Foreign Ofice, April 5, 1869. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
 the 31st ultimo, containing information as to the position of the Protestant mission in 
 Formosa in relation to the late events in that island ; and, in reply, I am to state to you 
 that Her Majesty's Government regret very much that missionaries and their converts 
 should be exposed to persecution, but that they cannot depart from the view expressed in 
 Mr. Hammond's letter to the Missionary Society of the 10th of February, and in Lord 
 Stanley's despatch of December 1 to Sir R. Alcock, as to the course that missionaries 
 should pursue in China, both of which documents have been laid before Parliament, and 
 are to be found in the Bliie Book, China No. 2 (1869.) 
 
 I am at the same time to observe to you that Her Majesty's Government cannot 
 approve of the conduct of Her Majesty's Acting Consul in Formosa, with reference to the 
 events in that island to which you have called Lord Clarendon's attention. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) A. OTWAY. 
 
 E 2 
 
No. 14. 
 Mr. Matheson to the Earl of Clarendon. — (Received April 9.) 
 
 My Lord, The Holmwood, Dorking, April 8, 1869. 
 
 WHILE tendering my sincere thanks for your Lordship's courteous reply to a previous 
 communication, I trust that I shall not be thought presumptuous in again addressing your 
 Lordship on the same subject, as ihe deepest anxiety is felt in some quarters as to the 
 effect that may be produced in China by the reversal of the settlement effected ia 
 Formosa, and the removal of the Vice-Consul as stated by your Lordship in the Upper 
 House. 
 
 Fearing; that no connected narrative of the Formosa difficulties has as vet reached 
 your Lordship, I take the liberty of inclosing one which may be rehed on as thoroughly 
 trustworthy, and I venture to hope that it may tend to modify at least the severe punish- 
 ment to be inflicted on an able and faithful pubUc servant, as well as to induce your Lord- 
 ship to reconsider the probable consequences of tendering an apology to men utterly unable 
 to appreciate it, and for conduct which, although open to censure in the light of the new 
 instructions, has nevertheless, in connection with the firm attitude of Her Majesty's Minister 
 in Peking, contributed to the gratifying fact stated by your Lordship that our relations \sith 
 China have never been more satisfactory. 
 
 At the same time let me assure your Lordship that it will be the constant aim of the 
 Presbyterian Mission to endeavour to act in the spirit of the arrangements lately concluded 
 between Her Majesty's Government and the Court of Peking, so as to avoid to the utmost 
 of our power any possible cause of irritation between the two countries. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) BOND. MATHESON. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 14. 
 Narrative of Events in the Island of Formosa, 1868. 
 
 WE are now, I believe, so near to a thorough and satisfactory termination of the 
 various difficulties which had brought to a deadlock the relation between the Consular 
 Representatives of foreign Powers and the local Government of Formosa, that it is possible 
 briefly to review the position from the commencement of the present crisis, and so enable 
 your readers to understand the value of the results which have been obtained. I do not 
 pledge myself, however, that Chinese duplicity, and Formosa Chinese duplicity in 
 particular, shall not again show itself in some form or other before the terms now agreed 
 upon are fully performed. The present crisis was preceded by a long tale of difficulties in 
 the relations between foreign residents and the local government, dating from the time of 
 the establishment of the foreign Customs in the island. Distance from the mainland, a 
 peculiar and absurd pride, on the part of the aristocracy of the Foo City, resting on the 
 fact of some terrible outrages on foreigners in bygone years, which had remained 
 unpunished, and some specialities of corruption in the form of the local government, all 
 combined to render the position of foreigners in the island anything but agreeable, and to 
 make the chance of justice, in cases in which foreigners were involved, exceedingly 
 shadowy. Our more immediate difficulties, however, date from the beginning of April of 
 the present year. About that date a considerable purchase of camphor had been made 
 for the hong by the compradore of Messrs. Ellis and Co. This purchase amounted to the 
 value of 6,000 dollars, and was accomplished in Wu-chai, a place considerably to the north 
 of Taiwan-foo ; this camphor was bought in thorough consistency with the terms of the 
 Treaty, which expressly stipulates camphor as one of the articles of legal trade. In spite 
 of this, however, it was suddenly laid hold of at Wu-chai, and forcibly carried off by the 
 agents of the Taoutae, whose authority extends throughout the whole Chinese portion of 
 the island. 
 
 On the news of this procedure, the United States' gun-boat "Aroostook," with 
 M. le Gendre, the United States' Consul at Amoy, who was then visiting the southern 
 portion of Formosa, and Mr. Jamieson, the Acting British Consul at Takow, visited the 
 Taoutae at his yain^n in Taiwan-foo, and remonstrated with him on the illegality of 
 this procedure. In answer, he claimed all camphor in the island as Imperial property — a 
 most atrocious claim, inasmuch as no part of it is found on Imperial ground — and denied 
 to foreigners any right to trade in it without his own special permission. At the same 
 time, however, he came to a distinct agreement with the two Consuls that the camphor in 
 
27 
 
 question shonld be released or a money indemnity paid in its stead. Up to the hour at 
 ■which I write, neither camphor nor money have been forthcoming, and if now it is about 
 to be paid it is only under the pressure of a force which had become necessary when all the 
 moral force had failed. 
 
 Following up the policy of his predecessors, who had succeeded in expelling the 
 Protestant missionaries from Taiwan-foo, Liang Taoutae, in the beginning of the present 
 year, refused to ratify a purchase within the walls in Taiwan-foo, on the part of the Roman 
 Catholic Mission in Formosa, or to take any notice of an outrage upon their premises, an 
 outrage, doubtless, which was not carried out without the cognizance of the Yam^n 
 officials. They allowed and encouraged most infamous reports, regarding the proceedings 
 of both Protestant and Roman Catholic missionaries and their converts, to spread 
 unchecked throughout the whole South of Formosa, until the underlings of the various 
 Yamfens, seeing that the popular mind was sufficiently excited, were able, without fear, to 
 lead parties to the destruction of all the chapels within their reach. 
 
 In the beginning of April they sacked and burnt a Roman Catholic Chapel at 
 Ko^-kan; on the 11th of the same month, they sacked and tore down the Protestant 
 chapel at Pitow, the district city. On the same day, they (the Yamen underlings) 
 brutually assaulted a Protestant Catechist iu the streets of Pitow, who barely succeeded 
 in escaping their knives, and reaching the District Mandarin, coolly shut him up in prison, 
 and he was not released for seven weeks. On the 24th of April, another Protestant 
 Catechist was set upon in a village, only five miles from the Consulate at Takow, was 
 murdered in open day and on the public street, his body cut in pieces, and his heart eaten 
 by some of the bolder of his murderers, at the north gate of the old city, close by. la 
 Pitow, the houses of the adherents of the Protestant Church were broken into and 
 sacked, the women driven out to the streets and the males of the party compelled to flee 
 for their lives to Takow. The Roman Catholics in Taiwan-foo were, in the beginning of 
 May, once more outraged, their premises again destroyed, and one of their number 
 bambooed and imprisoned by the district magistrate of Taiwan-foo. The remonstrances of 
 Mr. Acting Consul Jamieson were utterly without avail, nor was a visit of that gentleman, 
 accompanied by Lieutenant-Commander Keppel, and a party of men from Her Majesty's 
 gun-boat " Janus," to the district magistrate of Pitow, of any further value in securing 
 the release of the imprisoned Protestant Catechist. 
 
 In the end of June, Mr. Hardie, the agent of Messrs. Tait and Co., at Taiwan-foo, 
 was suddenly, and on the most frivolous pretext, attacked by one of the official servants of 
 the Leking office, while on his way from Takow to Taiwan-foo. This man, unobserved by 
 Mr. Hardie, suddenly came behind him and stabbed him forcibly in the side of the chest 
 with a knife. Fortunately it impinged on a rib, and except the loss of blood, and a severe 
 pleurisy which afterwards followed, no great evil resulted. At the time, however, Mr. Hardie 
 had to defend himself from several attacks of this man with the knife, assisted by another, 
 and only with great difficulty succeeded in saving his life. Until this hour this man 
 remains unpunished. So gross was the case, however, that the authorities, on the urgent 
 instance of Mr. Gibson, the Acting British Consul, who had just at that time arrived, did 
 make a show of seizing the man, and sent a special deputy that he might be punished 
 before Mr. Gibson at the place were the outrage occurred. So manifestly, however, was 
 the professed infliction of punishment an utter sham and deception, that, on the one hand, 
 the bystanders laughed, and, on the other. Her Majesty's Acting-Consul declared publicly 
 to the deputy that he could not look on the proceedings as other than additional insult, 
 and left the place in disgust. Mr. Gibson took the place of Mr. Jamieson on the 1st of 
 July,* and immediately forwarded despatches to the various yam^ns, announcing his 
 assumption of the Taiwan Consulate. On the 14th of July, a despatch was received at 
 the Consulate from the Taoutae, refusing to recognize Mr. Gibson as Acting British 
 Consul, and it was not until Lord Charles Scott arrived with Her Majesty's ship " Icarus," 
 about the end of August, that the Taoutae would humble himself to recognize the new 
 Acting Consul. Mr. Gibson describes this despatch of Taoutae's as a standing insult to 
 Lord Charles Scott and himself. 
 
 During the month of August another episode was being transacted at Cou-chai. 
 Mr. Pickering, of Messrs. EUes and Co., had proceeded thither, under the permission of 
 Mr. Jamieson, to inquire after the camphor, which, in spite of the Taoutae's promise, was 
 not forthcoming. For this journey Mr. Pickering had only the Consular passport, the 
 Taoutae refusing to grant or sign any passport to foreigners to any place outside of 
 Takow or Taiwan. The Taoutae' no sooner knew of Mr. Pickering's having gone to Cou- 
 chai than he gave orders to have him destroyed. The Ting of Lok-kang tried to carry out 
 this order by means of his soldiers, but Mr. Pickering happening to be a man of peculiar 
 courage and resolution, and being well acquainted also witn the character of the Formosa 
 
28 
 
 militia, held his ground firmly, defended resolutely with fire-arms the place where he was 
 lodged, routed his assailants again and again, but finally had to make his way with great 
 difficulty to the sea-shore, and was then driven in a small boat by a storm to Tamsuy, in 
 the north of the island. During all this time the Taoutae never once attempted to 
 complain to the Consul of Mr. Pickering, or to discuss with him the legality of his 
 proceeding. 
 
 On the 29th of August, Lord Charles Scott and the Consul had an interview with the 
 Taoutae of Taiwan-foo, according to express agreement with the latter, During this interview 
 the Taoutae behaved in a most extraordinary manner, becoming enraged, and with his fan 
 sharply striking Mr. Gibson over the hands, and thereupon contemptuously leaving the 
 room. After waiting in vain for the space of three-quarters of an hour for his return, 
 Lord Charles Scott and Mr. Gibson left. They continued their negotiations, however, in 
 writing with the Taoutae, and finally succeeded in eliciting from him a despatch complying 
 with Mr. Gibson's conditions, and promising that justice should be done. I have omitted to 
 mention above that on the 30th of July the Protestant chapel at Pitow, being, under the 
 Consul's advice, in process of rebuilding, was again attacked by the Pitow soldiery, all 
 the new materials carried off", and the remainder of the building destroyed. Mr. Gibson 
 had counselled the rebuilding of the cliapel, in the hope that the authorities, having had so 
 many remonstrances, might of themselves see fit to act differently than in the past. He 
 was mistaken, as it was again destroyed. 
 
 The despatch to Lord Charles Scott seemed to promise so fair that it was hoped all 
 would soon be put right. Our hopes were doomed to disappointment. Not only was nothing 
 remedied, but not even the faintest attempt was made to try to remedy the outstanding 
 grievances. New threats were made against the merchants ; a demand was made that 
 leking should be paid by their goods which were still in the hongs, although they had 
 already paid Customs dues. Mast dues were asked for the ships, besides the Customs 
 dues, and to try to ruin one hong which was more obnoxious than another, a double 
 leking was placed upon goods proceeding from that hong into Chinese hands. On the 2nd of 
 September, the British Consul, wishing to elicit whether the Taoutae had had the slightest 
 good faith in making the promises he had made a month before to Lord Charles Scott, 
 wrote to the Pitow magistrate, in whose district most of the criminal cases had occurred, 
 that on a certain day he would pay him a visit with the Lieutenant Commander of the 
 " Bustard," at his yam^n in Pitow. He received for answer an injunction not to come to 
 Pitow ; that as the Taoutae had not given him, the District Magistrate, any orders 
 concerning any criminals, he really had nothing to discuss with him, and that the people 
 would be much enraged if he came. This despatch showed what reliance was to be 
 placed on any statement, oral or written, of the present Taoutae of Taiwan. Mr. Gibson, 
 however, was very much dissatisfied with the evident desire of the Pitow Magistrate to 
 prevent his visiting that city, distant only eight miles from the Consulate, and so wrote back 
 insisting that he should come on the day which he had previously fixed. Next day brought 
 another despatch from the Pitow Magistrate, stating that on the afternoon of the day before, 
 a large collection of bones had been found under the ruins of the Protestant chapel; that the 
 bones, including three skulls and other bones, were evidently fresh, and that they clearly 
 enough showed that Dr. Maxwell, a Protestant missionary physician, and his associates, 
 had been guilty of murder, and of secreting the bones of their victims. This rather 
 serious charge by a District Magistrate was followed by an injunction to the Consul to seize 
 Dr. Maxwell and have him tried, and to send a certain Chinese Protestant into Pitow, 
 that he might meet with his due punishment for such diabolical crimes in the district 
 city. The Consul replied, that on the following day he would bring Dr. Maxwell and the 
 Chinese to Pitow, to be tried there before a Joint Court. The District Magistrate, seeing 
 no other escape from exposure in connection with this abominable conspiracy to which he 
 had lent himself, at once wrote back that he positively refused to see the Consul, and that 
 if he came he would find that his way would be stopped by force. 
 
 This refusal of the Magistrate to meet Mr. Gibson necessarily put a stop to his visit ; 
 but diligent inquiry was made as to the intended opposition, and it was found beyond all 
 question that the Yamen had put forth its strength, had gathered in armed people in large 
 numbers into Pitow, and outside had planted three ambuscades of very considerable 
 strength on the way, by which the Consul and his party should have to pass. The 
 Consul, writing to Taiwan-foo of this, and complaining at once of the faithlessness of the 
 Taoutae and the hardihood of his subordinates, was met with an insolent and derisive 
 answer. 
 
 Things remained at this pass, when at the end of October two events occurred which 
 showed that all hope of carrying on any relations with Liang Taoutae was at an end. One 
 event was the receipt by the Consul of a despatch from the Taoutae informing him that, 
 
29 
 
 having referred the mercantile questions in dispute to the Viceroy, he had been answered 
 that he (the Taoutae) had erred only by over-much leniency towards the foreigners, and 
 that it behoved him to act much more sharply. This was followed in a few days by the 
 sacking in Taiwan-foo of the house of Elhs and Co.'s compradore, and the carrying off of 
 money and property to the value of many thousand dollars. 
 
 Not content with this high-handed proceeding, they had the hardihood, in the belief 
 that the compradore himself bad escaped to Takow, to send down a Mandarin and soldiers 
 to that port to seize him, the person sought being the compradore of a British merchant, 
 and all this without one word of reference to the British Consul. 
 
 At this juncture the "Algerine" arrived, followed a day or two later, in a Chinese 
 gun-boat, by the Taoutae of Amoy, who had been empowered by the Vice-regal Govern- 
 ment at Foo-chow to come over and settle the various questions in dispute. After a 
 week's delay in Taiwan-foo, this oflBcial, along with the Prefect of the Taiwan-foo, appeared 
 in Takow, and on the following day had a conference with Mr. Gibson, in the presence of 
 the naval officers of the "Algerine" and "Bustard," and some of the foreign residents. 
 It was found at once that the Amoy Taoutae had no power to remove any of the offending 
 officials ; and as anything short of this would have been the merest farce after the eight 
 months' patient waiting on the part of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, Mr. Gibson simply 
 refused to discuss individual matters of detail with him. At the same time he gave him 
 full access to all the sources of information regarding the state of affairs in Taiwan, so far 
 as the British Consulate could afford, and prepared a full statement of the wrongs and 
 misdoings of the officials for his careful examination. 
 
 Finding that Tseng, the Amoy Taoutae, was unprepared to act as he desired, 
 Mr, Gibson, in conjunction with the naval officers, now took a step which instantly altered 
 the whole aspect of affairs. On the 20th of November he started with the " Algerine " 
 and " Bustard " for Amping, the sea-port of Taiwan-foo ; arrived there on the morning 
 of the 21st, landed with a party and reconnoitred the place, and without opposition 
 took possession of it, and of Fort Zelandia, to be held thenceforth as a material guarantee 
 until all existing claims and grievances should be settled. Placing the position in charge 
 of Lieutenant-Commander Gurdon, of the " Algerine," and having by proclamation 
 warned the inhabitants of the Amping and Taiwan-foo, and the official of the latter city of 
 his proceedings, he returned in the " Bustard " to Takow. He arrived in Takow on Sunday 
 night, the 22nd of November, and on Monday informed the Amoy Taoutae of the proceed- 
 ings at Amping, and on Tuesday, the 24th of November, had an audience with that 
 gentleman, when all his (Mr. Gibson's) demands were granted ; the removal of the Taoutae 
 of Taiwan, of the District Magistrate of Pitow, and of the Ting of Lokkang, to be effected 
 by the Amoy Taoutae taking his steamer to Foo-chow, and there securing the instant 
 dismi 5sal of the offenders by the Viceroy. At the same time it was agreed that the British 
 gun-boat should hold military possession of Amping until the Governor and his associates 
 were removed from office. This was eminently satisfactory, and there could be no doubt 
 at all of the intentions of the Amoy Taoutae. On the day following this conference, 
 however, the Taiwan-foo authorities, stung by the thought of the ignoring of their position, 
 shut out from their sea-port by a single British gun-boat, determined to retake Amping. 
 It is not quite certain how much the Taiwan-foo authorities knew of the result of the 
 preceding day's conference at Takow. It is shrewdly suspected that they knew all, but 
 were keen to be delivered from the insult of the gun-boat. I should say, that after the 
 first formal taking possession of the place, Lieutenant Gurdon had re-embarked his men, 
 not a large number in all by any means, expecting to command the place by the guns of 
 his vessel On Wednesday, the 25th of November, the Taiwan-foo authorities sent down 
 300 men to re-occupy the place. This they did, and began actively to mount guns to 
 defend the place. Lieutenant Gurdon having been informed of this, sent a letter to the 
 Chinese military commander in the place, that if within an hour he had not evacuated the 
 fort and town, he, Lieutenant Gurdon, must proceed to shell it. At the same hour he- 
 warned the inhabitants to clear out. His remonstrance was in vain, so for an hour and a- 
 half before night-fall, he cautiously and slowly poured in shot and shell into the fort. In 
 the evening Lieutenant Gurdon received Mr. Gibson's letter, detailing the conference of 
 the previous day and its results, and showing how much their speedy fulfilment must 
 depend on his keeping fast hold of Amping. Lieutenant Gurdon seeing, however, he was 
 being shut out of the place altogether, determined to storm it. About midnight he landed 
 with a party of volunteers, twenty-five in all, passing through the surf in safety themselves, 
 but losing one of their boats in it, lay in wait behind a bank on the shore, until the moon 
 was fairly down, and then, all undiscovered, sallied right into the place. Making their 
 way to the Hep-tai's yamen, they found it filled with soldiers. The Lieutenant invited 
 them, by an interpreter, to lay down their arms, but they refused and showed fight, and 
 
30 
 
 in self-defence the assaulting party was compelled to fire. They did so, killing eleven men 
 and wounding six others ; the rest of the garrison took to flight. A few hours later, in 
 the dim light of morning, Lieutenant Gurdon, while examining the approaches from 
 Taiwan-foo, heard the noise of a large body of men in the distance, and having planted 
 his men, they shortly descried a party, which was afterwards ascertained to be composed of 
 250 Honan" braves. When at about 200 yards, the " Algerines " with their Sniders 
 opened on the advancing? braves, who stood for about five minutes returning the fire. 
 After losing ?ix men killed and ten wounded, however, they turned tail and fled to Taiwan- 
 foo, leaving Lieutenant Gurdon and his blue jackets in possession of the prize. This very 
 brave and very determined action on the part of Lieutenant Gurdon has put the seal on 
 the previous set of conditions agreed to, and again at Amping re-agreed to by the Amoy 
 Taoutae for the Vice-regal Government. The consternation at Taiwan-foo was very great. 
 A guarantee of 40,000 dollars was paid down at once to Lieutenant Gurdon by the 
 merchants of Taiwan-foo, who were professedly acting for the local Government, that the 
 conditions should be fulfilled. This money has since been returned, as a guarantee of no 
 value, but a claim of 10,000 dollars against the local Government has been enforced by 
 Lieutenant Gurdon : — 5,000 dollars to pay expenses of British Government in the expedi- 
 tion, and 5,000 dollars as prize-money for the officers and men of the "Algerine." This has 
 been paid up, and the other conditions of agreement, as detailed below, are now in process 
 of being carried out : — 
 
 1. The abolition of the camphor monopoly, with proclamations declaring the right of 
 foreigners and their employes to go and buy freely. 
 
 2. The issuing of passports by the Taoutae to merchants and others to travel, for 
 business or pleasure, within the Island of Taiwan. 
 
 3. Payment of 6,000 dollars, indemnity for loss of camphor by Ellis and Co. 
 
 4. Payment of 1,167 dollars, indemnity for loss of property by Protestant Mission. 
 
 5. Payment of 2,000 dollars, indemnity for loss of property by Catholic Mission. 
 
 6. Payment of all claims of Ellis and Co's compradore, for losses in the sacking of 
 his house. 
 
 7. The punishment of the various criminals connected with the various outrages, to 
 the satisfaction of the British Consul. 
 
 8. The issuing of proclamations everywhere, acknowledging the injustice of the slanders 
 hitherto circulated against Christianity and Christians, and protecting them thoroughly 
 against the renewal of such. 
 
 9. The right of residence and of work, to missionaries in the island. 
 
 10. Proclamations recognizing the propriety of joint courts in mingled cases, and 
 intimating such in the future. 
 
 11. The removal of Liang Taoutae, of the district magistrate of Pitow, and of the 
 Ting of Lokang. 
 
 The various indemnities are already paid to the Consul ; the criminals are in process 
 of being seized ; and it is fully expected that ere many weeks, with a new set of magistrates 
 who shall have had the advantage of this recent lesson, the foreign residents in Formosa 
 shall enjoy equal privileges with their fellows on the mainland, and an amount of freedom 
 in moving about in the island which shall be a very great boon. Meanwhile, military 
 possession is retained of Amping, until all conditions are fully carried out. As one of the 
 oldest residents in Formosa, I feel thankful for the atmosphere of freedom, which these 
 recent events have secured for us, and for this we have to thank, under God, the patient 
 tenacity and admirable sharp decision of our admirable Consul, the distinguished courage 
 of our naval officers and men, and the cordial support which, 1 understand, has been 
 accorded by his Excellency the British Ambassador to the proceedings of the British Consul. 
 Inclosing my card, I beg to subscribe myself, 
 
 (Signed) AN OLD RESIDENT. 
 
 Takow, Formosa, December 4, 1868. 
 
31 
 
 No. 15. 
 
 Mr. Murray to Mr. Matheson. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 12, 1869. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
 the 8th instant, inclosing a printed account of the events which have recently taken place 
 in the Island of Formosa. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) JAMES MURRAY. 
 
 No, 16. 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — (Received April 22.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, April 22, ]869. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit here- 
 with, for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, copy of a letter from Vice- Admiral 
 Sir H. Keppel, dated the 23id February, covering copies of a correspondence relative to 
 the recent capture of the dcfoaces of Amping and Fort Zelandia, in the Taiwan district of 
 Formosa, by Her Majesty's gun-vessel " Algerine," on the requisition of Mr. Consul 
 Gibson. 
 
 Should Lord Clarendon concur, my Lords propose to inform Sir H. Keppel that 
 having already communicated to him the views of Her Majesty's Government on these 
 transactions my Lords have only now to observe that they are glad to notice by the 
 concluding sentence of Sir Henry Keppel's letter to Sir R. Alcock that he had become 
 aware of the undue precipitancy and excess of zeal displayed by Lieutenant Gurdon. They 
 make no doubt that he will, before the receipt of the letter my Lords propose to address 
 to him, have impressed upon the officers under his command the necessity of well weighing 
 the responsibility which they incur in complying with the demands of Consular officers 
 that they should commit acts of violence against the subjects of a Sovereign at peace with 
 Her Majesty. 
 
 It is presumed that the inclosures to Sir Henry Keppel's letter have already been 
 received at the Foreign Office^ and it is requested they may be returned when done with. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 16. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis," at Shanghae, February 23, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners ot 
 the Admiralty, copies of two letters addressed to me by Her Majesty's Minister in China 
 in reference to the recent capture of the defences of Amping and Fort Zelandia, in the 
 Taiwan district of Formosa, on the requisition of Mr. Consul Gibson, together with a copy 
 of my reply to the same. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 16. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sjj. Peking, January 28, 1869. 
 
 I AM in receipt of an official letter from His Imperial Highness the Prince of Kung,* 
 stating that a Memorial had been received from the Viceroy of Fukien and Che-kiang 
 and the Governor of Fukien, to the following effect : — 
 
 * See Inclosure 13 in No. 18. 
 
 [212] 
 
32 
 
 It is reported that on the 23rd of November, after a settlement of pending differences 
 in Formosa had been effected by Mr. Gibson and a special Commissioner sent from the 
 mainland for that purpose, in accordance with instructions from the Tsungli Yamen, two 
 gun-boats had proceeded to A.mpin°;, the port of Taiwan, and bombarded Fort Zelandia. 
 Subsequently, a supply-vessel belonging to the Pcscadore's squadron had been towed away 
 about midnight of the san7e day, the commander and two soldiers on board being made 
 prisoners; and the same night the commanding officer of the ^un-boat, whose name is 
 given as "Chie-tang," supposed to be Lieutenant Gurdon, landed some men and took the 
 fort, killing and wounding the soldiers defending it ; upon which the officer in command, 
 Chung-kuo-chen, being overpowered and wounded, committed suicide. 
 
 The Memorial proceeds to state that one soldier and ten braves were killed and 
 thirteen others wounded, and that the military stores and powder magazines were set on 
 fire and destroyed. Later, the naval officer demanded and receii^ed 40,000 dollars as the 
 condition of a cessation of hostilities, and under threat of bombarding the city of Amping 
 if not paid into his hands at once. 
 
 The Special Commissioner having subsequently proceeded from Takow to Amping, he 
 had a conference with Mr. Gibson and the said naval officer on the 29t.h of November, 
 when it was agreed that the 40.000 dollars should be returned to the gentry and 
 merchants ; but in the end, that officer insisted on either deducting 10,000 dollars from 
 the sum he held, "to make good his expenses," or receiving tiiat amount from the 
 authorities. 
 
 This sum was then handed to him and his receipt taken, when the captured vessel 
 and men were restored, with the previous 40,000 dollars^ which had been held as a 
 guarantee. 
 
 This is the substance of the Memorial made to the Throne by the Viceroy and 
 Governor; and as I have only 'received a short despatch from Mr. Gibson, dated the 25th 
 November, stating that he had '' nominally taken possession of Fort Zelandia and the 
 town of Amping, as a reprisal on the 22nd, and on the 24th, as a consequence, he had 
 come to a settlement of outstanding claims with the Special Commissioner," promising to 
 furnish all the details shortly. I have no official information of the facts as they really 
 occurred. 
 
 Linder these circumstances, 1 could only state to the Prince, in my reply, that until 
 in possession of fmlher information and the official report of the proceedings referred to, 
 which I daily expected from Mr. Gibson, it was out of my power to enter into any discus- 
 sion as to the particulars, But, in the meantime, Mr. Gibson having no authority from 
 me to commit acts of hostility, if the facts should prove to be as represented by the High 
 Authorities of Fukien in their Memorial, both Mr. Gibson and the naval officer in 
 question would be held responsible by Her Majesty's Government for their action. As 
 regarded the money said to have been exacted for " expenses," if any such course had been 
 followed, the amount taken should certainly be returned. 
 
 That your Excellency may more fully understand the position of affairs and the 
 necessity for promptly disavowing any unauthorized acts of war, I inclose a copy of my 
 letter in reply to the Prince. You will see that although I readily gave the assurance of 
 my willingness to examine into the whole matter in a spirit of justice, and expressed my 
 desire to act in accordance with international law and usage, T pointed out to Plis Imperial 
 Highness that the High Authorities of Fukien were themselves chiefly responsible for 
 any untowaid collision that may have taken place by their persistent neglect in affording 
 ,xedress or putting a stop to continuous acts of violence and spoliation perpetrated on 
 British subjects and their property by the local authorities and natives under their orders 
 and jurisdiction. 
 
 It cannot be denied, nevertheless, that any actual hostilities entered into by 
 Mr. Gibson and the Commander of the gun-boat leading to loss of life are greatly to be 
 regretted, and can hardly be defended under any conceivable circumstances. The precipi- 
 tation of the officers tem.porarily in charge, the one of the Consulate and the other of the 
 gun-boat, has rendered unavaihng all the care and the concerted measures agreed upon 
 between your Excellency and myself to bring matters to a satisfactory settlement without 
 the necessity of any recourse to force by the appearance of a squadron, under a Senior 
 Officer of high rank, supporting the demands of Mr. Swinhoe, confirmed and approved 
 from Peking after confei-ence with the Foreign Board on the subject. 
 
 I had every reason to calculate with certainty on the mere presence of an imposing 
 and effective force, sufficing, as in the Yang-chow affair, to secure the result without any 
 collision, or the adoption of measures constituting an act of war. An embargo of vessels, 
 or a simple blockade of a very partial and temporary kind, was the utmost stretch of 
 coercive power that I contemplated as likely to be needful under the most adverse circum- 
 
33 
 
 stances, and these are measures recognized by international law as acts of retortion vid 
 facti, that States may legitimately resort to under given circumstances, and which, never- 
 theless, fail short of war, and are not considered acts of hostility. Property, even if 
 wrongly seized under embargo, may be restored, and redress afforded by negotiation- or 
 civil process, but acts of hostility involving loss of life are not so easily repaired or 
 defended, and fall under a totally different law. 
 
 At present I wait for more ample information before I can pronounce any judgment 
 or decide upon the course it may be necessary to follow with the Chinese Gfovernmenfe. 
 But if, as I infer, there is no doubt that a sum of money has been exacted by the Senior 
 Naval Officer of the gun-boats, on the untenable ground of ransom or " expenses," it. is 
 quite clear that it must be refunded at once. 
 
 Indeed, I feel assured, that as soon as it may have come to your knowledge, the 
 necessary orders will have been given. Of the character of the act itself, and the 
 responsibility that the fexaction of money under the circumstances may entail on all 
 concerned, I reserve my opinion until in possession of all the iacts of the case, whichd 
 trust to receive from your Excellency, to whom, no doubt, a full report was transmittedby 
 the naval officer in command. 
 
 The Prince of Kung writes to me, not unnaturally, to make a very indignant protest; 
 for apart from the feelings with which a sudden act of war (such as the Memoriahsfes 
 describe, where life is lost, and an insult is offered at the same time to the sovereignty of 
 an independent Power), would be regarded by any Government, the course followed by the 
 Viceroy of Fukien in addressing his Memorial direct to the Throne, has no doubt placed^ 
 as it was intended, the Prince and his Foreign Board, of which he is President, in a very 
 tmpleasant position, as being answerable for the foreign relations maintained, and in some 
 degree therefore held responsible for the humiliation thus inflicted by two subaltern 
 officers of a foreign Power. 
 
 The Prince concludes his communication by an intimation that, having appealed to 
 me in the first instance, he was in no haste to inform the (Chinese Envoy of this case, that 
 it might be communicated to the British Government ; nor did he notify it to the several 
 foreign Ministers, because " his Excellency, in his Ministerial capacity, whenever inter- 
 national questions have arisen at the ports, has always dealt justly by them." They are 
 making progress in their diplomatic education, it is very obvious ; and for my part 1 am 
 quite quite ready to admit, that if a Minister on the spot will not, to do them justice, they 
 are perfectly entitled to refer the matter in question direct, by their own mission, to the 
 Home Government, and to notify to other Courts the steps taken. It affords the best 
 security, perhaps, the Chinese can have, for the abstinence from wrongful acts of any one 
 foreign Representative or Government. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 16. 
 
 Sir R. Alcoch to the Prince of Kung, January 28, 1869. 
 
 [See Inclosure 14 in No. 18.J 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 16. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Peking, January 28, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your letter of the 1 0th ultimo, with its 
 inclosuTes, and can only regret that so much pains and care to prevent precipitate action, 
 and the premature adoption of measures of coercion, should have been thrown away and 
 made of no avail by the iiiauthori^ed proceedings of those temporarily in charge of affairs 
 at Taiwan and Takow. 
 
 I have; &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Ft 
 
34 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 16. 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis,'' at Shanghae, February 23, 1869. 
 
 THE anticipations expressed in your Excellency's letters of the 28th January, to the 
 effect that you felt assured I should direct the return of the ransom obtained from the 
 Taiwan authorities by Lieutenant Gurdon, you will find to be realized by my despatch of 
 the 6th ultimo. 
 
 Your Excellency will further have observed, by the copy of my Report to the 
 Admiralty, that I was not disposed to condemn Lieutenant Gurdon's proceedings. 
 
 During the protracted correspondence resulting from Chinese outrages on British 
 subjects in Formosa, I understood by your Excellency's letters that diplomacy had almost 
 exhausted every effort to bring about a settlement of just claims. I therefore lost no time 
 in assembling a considerable force in the southern portion of Formosa, to act solely on 
 your requisition, under my personal command, if events proved that active measures were 
 demanded. 
 
 The Yang-chow crisis proved that a display of force would probably have been sufBcient 
 to also secure us justice in Formosa. I therefore share in your Excellency's regret that 
 the urgent requisition of Her Majesty's Consul should have required an act of war when 
 the end could have been gained by a milder form of coercion. 
 
 I forward, for your Excellency's information, a copy of Mr. Consul Swinhoe's letter 
 to me, praising Lieutenant Gurdon's prompt action on Mr. Gibson's requisition, and 
 describing the salutary results likely to follow it. 
 
 I regret to find that Mr. Gibson was not acting on confidential instructions from your 
 Excellency when he assumed the jjrave responsibility of urging Lieutenant Gurdon to 
 seize the defences of Amping and Fort of Zelandia as a material guarantee for the fulfil- 
 ment of our cUims. 
 
 Most naval officers would have acted as Lieutenant Gurdon did ; their general 
 instructions are to cordially co-operate wi<^h Her Majesty's Consuls. A requisition 
 plainly stating that the bare existence of British subjects depended on the seizure of 
 the defences of Amping appears to have been, eagerly welcomed by a young officer, who 
 considered that the opportunity was afforded him of winning his promotion by a brilliant 
 exploit. 
 
 A mistake has been committed, — it would be well to prevent all prospect of its repeti- 
 tion. 
 
 Since I assumed this command Her Majesty's Consuls more than once have made 
 requisitions to Lieutenants of gun-boats inconsistent with stiict international law towards 
 the Chinese. 
 
 On a station where a considerable interval may elapse before reference can be made 
 to your Excellency or myself, it appears desirable that a clearly defined restriction should 
 be placed on the power of Her Majesty's Consuls to request a naval officer to commit an 
 act of war. 
 
 May I, therefore, request an expression of your Excellency's views on this subject, 
 stating tie limits within which commanding officers should act on Consular requisitions; 
 and you may rely on my taking measures to prevent precipitate action on the part of over 
 zealous officers who rejoice in being associated with Consuls full of fight. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 No. 17. 
 
 Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 23, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE laid before the Earl of Clarendon your letter of yesterday, inclosing copies 
 of a despatch from Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, with his correspondence with Sir 
 Rutherford Alcock, respecting the late affair at Taiwan in Formosa, and stating the 
 substance of an instruction which, with Lord Clarendon's concurrence, the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty propose to address to Sir Ueniy Keppel in reply ; and I 
 am to request that you will acquaint their Lordships that Lord Clarendon concurs in the 
 proposed instruction. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
35 
 
 No. 18, 
 
 Sir R. Alcocle to Lord Stanley. — (Received April 23.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, February 5, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to my despatch of the 29th of October,* and the progress of 
 negotiations for the arrangement of differences at Taiwan, I have now the honour to 
 inclose copies of farther despatches from Mr. Gibson in charge, and also of a correspon- 
 dence with the Prince of Kung on the subject. 
 
 The difficulties in Formosa with the local authorities seem to have very summarily 
 terminated by Mr. Gibson requiring Lieutenant Commander Gurdon, as the Senior Officer 
 present, with two gun-boats only, to seize and hold Fort Zelandia at Amping, which is the 
 port of Taiwan, on the 21st of October, as "necessary to the very existence of British 
 life and interests ;" as an immediate consequence of which, it seems, full and satisfactory 
 measures of redress were formally acceded to by tlie Imperial Commissioner on the 24th, 
 altbough four days previously he had treated all Mr. Gibson's complaints as matters of no 
 consequence, and positively refused to take any step whatever. 
 
 As far as I can gather from Mr. Gibson's despatches, the cause for his precipitate 
 action was the announcement of the Commissioner that he was about to return to the 
 mainland in a day or two, without removing the Taoutae, or otherwise providing for the 
 security of the foreign community, whose lives and property had alike been exposed to 
 great danger from the action of the local authorities themselves. 
 
 I had not contemplated, as your Lordship will have seen by the instructions forwarded 
 to Mr. Gibson, and my correspondence with the Admiral and Mr. Swinhoe, copies of which 
 were inclosed in my despatch, the necessity for acts of open hostility, and certainly had given 
 no authority to the officer in charge to take any such measures. On the contrary, I was 
 desirous that an imposing squadron of at least four or five vessels should be sent as the 
 certain means of averting any collision, satisfied in my own mind that the mere presence 
 of such a force would suffice to secure a prompt and satisfactory settlement of our just 
 demands for redress. The effect for such a demonstration at Nanking had abundantly 
 proved the efficacy of this mode of attaining results without any actual employment of 
 force, and fully warranted my calculating on an equally satisfactory end at Formosa. 
 
 Mr. Gibson's precipitation prevented the combination agreed upon with the Admiral, 
 with a view to an equally complete but more peaceable solution of our difficulties, taking 
 effect. And it is the more to be deplored as life has been lost in the collision that ensued 
 with the crew of the gun-boats, several Chinese soldiers having been killed and wounded ; 
 and fresh complications have arisen from this cause, and the equally unauthorized act of 
 Lieutenant Gurdon in demanding 10,000 dollars for expenses and prize-money as a ransom 
 for the port, after the destruction of all the arms and munitions of war found in the fort, 
 by his order, and the blowing up of the magazines. 
 
 I am naturally very reluctant to pronounce a harsh judgment against junior officers, 
 either civil or military, who have erred by the excess of zeal and impatience rather than 
 any deliberate design of exceeding their powers. Nor have I yet learned, in answer to my 
 despatch to Mr. Swinhoe, what Mr. Gibson may be able to state in further justification of 
 his apparently rash and unauthorized proceedings. It is possible there may have been 
 reasons not yet before me, and imminent danger to life and property, which suggested the 
 steps taken as the only ones available for security. Mr. Gibson's strange phraseology 
 may cover some such peril. But so far as any statement of facts yet received goes, I am 
 bound to say this conclusion is not borne out. 
 
 At the same time, it must be borne in mind that in Formosa, an island peopled by 
 aborigines, who to this day both kill and eat their enemies, with thousands of Chinese 
 colonists only a few degrees more civilized or less savage, under the government of local 
 officials who are so little above a state of barbarism themselves that Ihey had no scruple in 
 placing an ambuscade of armed men to intercept and kill a Consul and naval officer 
 proceeding to the Magistrate's place of residence on a peaceful mission, and thought the 
 best mode of preventing a merchant from recovering property of which he had been 
 despoiled, was to send people to shoot him down — there is enough in such conditions to 
 demoralize all diplomacy, if not to justify a resort to reprisals and acts of hostility not 
 contemplated by Vattel". The tension of mind produced by such exi-eptional relations, 
 under constant menace of danger from the lawless action of Chinese officials, bound by no 
 obligations of international comity or Treaty, is eminently calculated to mislead a junior 
 officer and throw him off his balance ; and it would be hard, and scarcely just, to visit upon 
 his head the whole responsibility of the consequences. 
 
 These are considerations not likely to suggest themselves to Chinese authorities at 
 
 * See « China Papers, No. 2 (1869)," No. 14. 
 
36 
 
 AcKing; and I was not much surprised therefore, under these circumstances, to receive 
 from the Prince of Kung a strongly-worded remonstrance, in which he protested against 
 all Mr. Gibson's proceedings, and dertianded satisfaction and redress for acts of hostility- 
 committed on the territory of a friendly power in time of peace. Nor could I fittingly 
 take umbrage at the scarcely veiled threat, conveyed in the concluding paragraph, of aa 
 appeal to Her Majesty's Government direct, through the Chinese Mission now in Europe, 
 and to the other Treaty Powers through the Foreign Representatives at Peking, if full 
 satisfaction were denied. 
 
 Accordingly, in my reply, I did not hesitate to inform the Prince that, if I did not at 
 once disavow Mr. Gibson's acts, seeing that I had not received any despatches giving the 
 details or reasons he might allege in his justification, I had no difficulty in stating that my 
 instructions to press for a settlement had not authorized any acts of hostility, and that he 
 and the naval officer would alike be held responsible for vvhat they had done. 
 
 I also added that if the statement made by the Viceroy of Fukien and Chekiang and 
 the Governor of Fukien, in their joint Memorial to the Throne, that Lieutenant Gurdon 
 had exacted a sum of 10,000 dollars, for war expenses and prize money, proved to be 
 correct, I would undertake that the money should be promptly returned. 
 
 J answered in this sense the more readily that I was aware the Ministers of the Tsungli 
 Yaraen, with the Prince at its head, were themselves on their trial, in a certain sense, 
 before the Court and the other Boards, from the course taken by the High Authorities of 
 Fukien in addressing their Memorial complaining of these acts direct to the Throne. 
 
 It was necessary that the Prince should at once be able to show that, if any wrong 
 had really been committed by subordinate officers of a foreign Power, in violation of 
 Treaty or international law and usage among civilized States, Her Majesty's Representa- 
 tive here would be prepared, after due investigation, to give satisfaction, and, as far as 
 possible, to afford redress for any injury inflicted. 
 
 At the same time I deemed it right to point out to his Highness, for the information of 
 the Emperor and his Council, that, however I might deplore any action which had led to 
 a serious loss of life, the chief blame, if not all the responsibility, rested on those who, 
 by a persistent violation of Treaties, repeated acts of violence, and denial of justice, 
 making hfie and property insecure, had rendered a collision almost inevitable ; and that the 
 real authors of this regrettable occurrence were the High Offi(?ers of Fukien and 
 Chekiang, in not carrying out their instructions received from the Yamin to remove the 
 Taoutae and afford redress. Had they done so, no coUision or conflict would have taken 
 place. 
 
 It is my purpose, when in a position to answer these complaints more fully, to return 
 to this feature of the case, and fix them with the responsibility of disobeying their orders, 
 and thus provoking a conflict which might and would otherwise undoubtedly have been 
 averted. 
 
 The charge against the local authorities can he fully sustained by evidence of violence 
 and injustice of the most flagrant character on the part of the Chinese officials, which the 
 last nine months preceding has continuously supplied ; and, in addition, it will be easy to 
 show that, whatever may be the desire of the two Governments to live in peace and main- 
 tain none but the most friendly relations with each other, such results are not possible if 
 the Provincial Authorities are allowed not only systematically to violate the most important 
 of Treaty rights and palpably connive at acts of spoliation and murder, such as have 
 characterized the course of affairs at Formosa almost from the beginning, and with 
 increasing frequency and atrocity during the past year, but to disregard the orders sent to 
 them from Peking after engagements have been entered into with a Foreign Minister. It 
 is, in truth, clear that the Central Government must find means to compel a greater 
 respect for their own orders on the part of their local Authorities throughout the Provinces, 
 wherever foreigners are found, or foreign Powers will be driven to one of two alternatives 
 in self-defence. They must either devise such local means of pressure as shall control and 
 coerce malfaisant and corrupt officials into good behaviour, or hold the Imperial Govern- 
 ment responsible for unredressed wrongs at the ports and elsewhere in a much more direct 
 and stringent manner than has yet been the practice as a general rule. The action, 
 conseouent upon the conduct of local authorities at Canton and Takow, which led to the 
 rnree wars, were exceptions ; and as regards the last, what took place at Takow could not 
 be considered the act of any local officer, but of the Government itself. 
 
 The last alternative is, no doubt, more consonant with Treaty relations and interna- 
 tional law than the first; but it is also more damaging to the Emperor's power to govern 
 the Empire, and more costly to the foreign Power resorting to it. Some shorter and less 
 disastrous mode of settling local wrongs and disputes at distant ports is as much to be 
 desired in the interest of tbe.Chinese nation and Government as in that of foreigners ; even 
 
37 
 
 though it should be less strictly accordant with international law and usage. Against the 
 disadvantages that attach to local action, even after appeal shall have lieen made in vain to 
 the Government at Peking, and the objections in principle to which all such extreme 
 courses must be open, both Chinese and foreign Powers may, wisely perhaps, set as a 
 counterbalance the avoidance of accumulative wrong, leading to the necessity of a war, and 
 entailing costly expenditure on the one side, and a perilous loss of authority and prestige 
 on the other. 
 
 We need not look to Vattel or Grotius for any sanction to such exceptional action, 
 for the simple reason that they and all other writers on international law deal with principles 
 in their application to civilized States, recognizing a mutual obligation, and governed by 
 similar, or at least analogous, systems of jurisprudence and pohty. But, when dealing with 
 Oriental races and Stales, ignorant of all the conditions and principles of European polity, a 
 special adaptation of those principles is required to meet the wholly exceptional character 
 of the situation caused by a forced intercourse between races holding totally different views 
 of moral obligation and national policy. The broad principles of justice, of right and wrong 
 which underlie the international code of nations, must be respected everywhere by civilized 
 States; but an over-scrupulous pedantry in adherence to the rules deduced from these, and 
 forming the system known in Europe as the Law of Nations, in dealing with an Asiatic 
 race like the Chinese, is only calculated to do mischief, and bring on the very evils it is 
 intended to avert. 
 
 Some special modification of rules and principles of international law, as this is 
 understood and recognized by European States, is required in the interest of peace and 
 justice. Local authorities must not be allowed by persistent misrule and violation of 
 Treaties to bring on their country the horrors of war as the sole means of redressing the 
 wrong. And the only effective means of preventing this, in default of a Central Govern- 
 ment with adequate power, is to make them feel a personal responsibility for their acts such 
 as their own Government ought, but under present conditions seems quite unable to 
 enforce. The knowledge that sooner or later, if justice is denied, and instructions from 
 Peking disregarded, to the injury of foreigners, they will have themselves to deal with a 
 foreign Power they can neither defy nor resist, will soon lead to a radical reform in the 
 course of action, and teach them to respect Treaty obligations for their own sake, if they 
 care nothing either for Treaties or the orders of their own Government. Such a policy, 
 if carried out with judgment and moderation by the Treaty Powers, will act beneficially at 
 both ends of the line. The Peking Government will be disposed to take more stringent 
 measures than they otherwise would with their provincial ofhcei's to enforce respect for the 
 rights and interests of foreigners, while the officials themselves will become moite circum- 
 spect not to provoke the inevitable issue of conflict with a foreign Power; and all parties 
 will gain largely thereby. : 
 
 Hitherto the course of affairs has been only too truly described by the Memorialists 
 from the ports. When any wrong or injustice is suffered by a foreigner, for which there 
 is no appeal to a public court of justice and a written code of laws — if the Chinese local 
 authorities are not moved, as is too often the case, by the Consul's representations — the 
 only recourse is a reference to the Minister at Peking ; and then commences an 
 interminable series of references backwards and forwards, — a seesaw of correspondence 
 on both sides between the ports and the capital, and no final solution is ever arrived at. 
 It mav safely be affirmed that such is the common experience of all the foreign Represen- 
 tatives. I am assured there is no one of these who cannot point to numerous cases which 
 have been so treated for a succession of years, despite their best efforts to secure a better 
 result. 
 
 Such experience leads infallibly to a conviction that where Treaties have been imposed 
 by force upon an unwiUin-g Government, as all with China have been, they can only be 
 ujpheld by similar means. The diplomatic instrument has no binding power with Chinese 
 rulers when its stipulations may be evaded with impunity, or whenever it is believed that 
 the force that imposed them is no longer extant or available. Diplomacy in such circum- 
 stances means "armed reason." As Carlyle in his quaint style remarks, "Diplomacy is 
 clouds; beating your enemies is sea and land," and the only evidence of power, or title to 
 respect, a true Oriental freely recognizes. And in order that foreign Powers may not have 
 to resort to such rude instruments for proving their title, it behoves them to lincl means of 
 preventing accumulative violations of Treaty, since continued impunity brings with it a 
 conviction of weakness. For, as I have said on a former occasion, "it isweakness, or the 
 suspicion of it, which invariably provokes aggression, and, with Eastern races, is a far more 
 fruitful cause of bad faith and danger than either force or the abuse of it." The desire to 
 avoid complications and wars in the far East should suggest, not an unreasoning recoil 
 from the assertion of Treaty rights from fear of the troubles it may bring, but a stedfaSt 
 
38 
 
 adherence to such conditions of intercourse as experience has proved to be best calculated 
 in the end to insure respect for engagements. This, at least, is the lesson which a life 
 spent in these regions has most strongly impressed on my mind. And, apart from the 
 question of policy as a means to an end, necessity imposes a duty of self-preservation on 
 the principle recognized by the laws of man, which were certainly designed for Eastern 
 races, where it is said, "Let an indolent monarch cease to punish, and the stronger would 
 end by wasting the weaker." 
 
 It was with these convictions, and my past experience of the hopelessness of 
 obtaining any real redress from the authorities at Nanking — even after a perfectly 
 satisfactory understanding was come to with the Tsungli Yamen, and the assurance that 
 the necessary instructions should be sent to the Viceroy — and with the farther conviction 
 that continued impunity to those concerned in the outrages at Yang-chow and Chin-kiang 
 would be full of peril to life and property at other places as well as to all our interests in 
 China, that I determined to take such measures, in concert with the Naval Commander-in- 
 chief, as should leave the Viceroy no choice, and very little inclination to disregard his 
 orders from Peking to do prompt justice. 
 
 The result, which was never doubtful, went far to confirm the correctness of my 
 views. And a similar result, with the same tactics, would as unquestionably have been 
 attained at Taiwan, had the officers in charge there been less impatient and waited for the 
 presence of a Senior Officer and a squadron. 
 
 Two conclusions, I think, are to be drawn from the history of the transactions at each 
 place. First, that well-combined measures of pressure, showing by unmistakeable signs 
 both the will and the immediate power to enforce, if need be, demands for redress 
 persistently denied, after reference to Peking and promise of action from the Government 
 there, will never fail, if brought to bear judiciously against the local authorities, however 
 high their position. His Excellency Ts^ng Kwo-fan, the Viceroy of Nanking, furnished a 
 signal example of the efficacy of such means ; for not only is his influence great, but, in 
 his now celebrated Memorial to the Throne, he was the first to recommend resistance to 
 the foreign Powers if they pressed any unpalatable demands, and, therefore, had every 
 motive which an officer in high position could have for making a show at least of the 
 virtue of that resistance he was so ready to recommend to his Government; but he made 
 no sign, and succumbed without an effort to save his personal credit. 
 
 The course of affairs at Taiwan proves quite as strikingly, perhaps, if not more so, 
 the efficacy of such means, because here one of the essential conditions of success was 
 wanting, — the presence of a force practically irresistible. But untoward collision and loss 
 of life was the penalty of a disregard of such condition, and leads to the second conclusion, 
 namely, the danger of unauthorized action, and the necessity of strictly prohibiting all 
 action of this nature by Consular officers on their own responsibility, and without specific 
 instructions from the Minister. 
 
 Thus guarded, there is little to fear from any abuse of power, and much to hope from 
 its discretionary exercise being entrusted to the Representative at Peking, should necessity 
 arise. A reference to the Home Government demands nearly six months, and, with large 
 interests at stake, such a delay might, in many cases, be disastrous, if not altogether fatal, 
 to the position and security of foreigners in China. 
 
 I am not sorry, with these views, to profit by the present conjuncture to request 
 definitive instructions, or some expression of opinion, for my guidance in any future 
 contingency of similar character. And, in the meantime, I defer any final report on 
 Mr. Gibson's responsibility until I can receive his reply to my despatch of the 29th of 
 January, addressed to Mr. Swinhoe, who was directed to return to his post, and by so 
 doing supersede Mr. Gibson, and relieve him of his charge. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 18. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Taiwan, Takow Office, November 25, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to report that I have nominally taken possession of Fort 
 Zelandia, and the town of Araping, as a reprisal, on the 22nd ; and as a consequence, 
 upon Tuesday the 24th, our complications were settled, that is, as far as a promise can go. 
 I shall hold Amping till the Taoutae Liang, the district magistrate of Fung-shan, and the 
 Ting of Lo-chiang is dismissed, and my conditions are settled. The criminal cases, civil 
 
39 
 
 cases, and political cases, with the camphor case, will all be performed according topromisey 
 by Tseng Ta-jin, the Amoy Taoutae, who has been sent over here as a Commissioner by 
 the Governor-General of Fukien. Ellis and Co. are indemnified in 6,000 dollars^ 
 Dr. Maxwell in 1,167 dollars, the Cathohc Fathers in 2,000 dollars, and Ellis and Co.'s. 
 compradore in the value of his property. The camphor monopoly is abolished in the 
 Island of Formosa, and British subjects and their Chinese agents can buy that article, 
 store it, and do whatever they like with it, in accordance with the Treaty of Tien-tsin, the 
 native authorities placing no obstacles in their way in the interior, or in any of the ports 
 forbidden to foreign vessels. The missionaries have power to teach, heal, preach, and 
 build mission-houses, and their converts shall not be interfered with. Dr. Maxwell goes 
 up to Taiwan at once; Mr. Ritchie to Pitow ; Dr. Maxwell's accusers shall be tried 
 before Tseng Ta-jin and me ; three criminals, the three men who stand at the head of the 
 district magistrate's office of Fung-shan, are arrested, and they will be punished belbre some 
 one appointed by me. All the other criminal cases are being taken up. These matters, and 
 the whole of the matters in my despatch, are settled, but simply on the promise of Tseng 
 Ta-jin, and that promise must be performed before I can announce to your Excellency that 
 the aflFairs are definitely settled. I inclose the despatch I gave Tseng Ta-jin, for your 
 perusal. 
 
 Tseng Ta-jin landed at Amping on the 8th instant, and spent a week with Liang 
 Taoutae. He came down to Takow on Monday the 16th, and I gave him a conference on 
 Tuesday the 17th. Dr. Maxwell, Dr. Manson, the agents of Messrs. Ellis and Co., and of 
 Messrs. Tait and Co., and the Senior Naval Officer, accompanied by Lieutenant Johnson, R.N., 
 were present, Tseng Ta-jin evidently thought our embarrassments as of no moment. I 
 asked him for the removal of the Taoutae, the District Magistrate, and the Ting of Lo-chiang, 
 and he simply laughed off the whole matter. He seemed to be without any definite power 
 to settle our embarrassments ; said that they were of no importance, and even hinted that 
 it was contrary to my duty to bring forward the charges and conditions which I have laid 
 before your Excellency. 
 
 I then considered what it was best to do ; and I came to the conclusion that it was 
 absolutely necessary nominally to take and hold the Fort of Zelandia, and the town of 
 Amping, in order to bring Tseng Ta-jin to understand the urgent importance of our compli- 
 cations, and as a basis of any further advance upon Taiwan. 
 
 1, therefore, requested the Senior Naval Officer to take action. He was off^ Amping 
 on Saturday morning the 21st. We landed at 3 o'clock; walked over the fortress, and 
 found the doors all locked ; the soldiers and their commandant had all removed ; and we 
 took possession of the fort and the ramparts of the town without any opposition. 
 
 I returned on the 22nd ; and on the 23rd informed Tseng Ta-jin of what I had done. 
 He requested a conference on Tuesday the 24th, at 1 1 o'clock a.m. We discussed the 
 whole matter up till 3 o'clock p.m., and finally settled everything. He promised to fulfil 
 all my conditions ; to run up to Foo-chow, return with letters of recall for the Taoutae, the 
 district magistrate, and the Ting of Lo-chiang, I to hold the fort till they were removed 
 and my conditions fulfilled. At this conference Dr. Maxwell, Dr. Manson, the agents of 
 Messrs. Tait and Co., and of Messrs. Ellis and Co., were present, and also Lieutenant 
 Johnson, commanding Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard." 
 
 I humbly beg your Excellency to approve of my proceedings, as these are of a very 
 responsible character. 
 
 I would not have taken these steps unless I had conceived them to be absolutely 
 necessary. 
 
 At our first conference all my charges and conditions, which were clearly just, were 
 scouted at by Tseng Ta-jin, and I failed to get him to understand their importance and 
 their justice. The taking of Amping, though only in fact ostensible, was enough to cause 
 him to promise to settle everything. 
 
 This despatch is a mere outline, and in a day or two I will write your Excellency at 
 
 length. 
 
 1 have, &c. 
 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 18. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Sir R. Alcock, December 14, 1868. 
 [See Inclosure 3 in No. 6.] 
 [212] " ^ ^ 
 
4U 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 18. 
 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Tseng, Taouiae of Amoy. 
 
 Sir Taiwan, Takow Office, November 18, 1868. 
 
 ' I HAVE the honour to lay before you an abstract of the crimes and wrongs of Liang, 
 Taoutae and his subordinates, on which their removal is demanded, and the conditions l 
 request, in accordance with the Treaty, from the local Government of Taiwan. 
 
 First. The crimes and wrongs of Liang Taoutae. . , „> . .t .^ . f k^ 
 
 1. The abrogation of the last sentence of the Vllth Article of tlie Ireaty. (Insert the 
 
 ^^" ^I subjoin an outline of proof, but the full evidence is either in despatches with which, 
 you are already acquainted, or based upon the statements of indubitable witnesses. _ 
 
 (1.) When 1 arrived here on the 12th day of the 5th moon (July 1), I sent Liang 
 Taoutae a despatch announcing my arrival as Consul, and on the 25th day of the same 
 raoon (14th July) I received a despatch from the Taoutae, refusing to recognize me as 
 Consul ; and it was not till Lord Charles Scott, commanding Her Majesty's ship " Icarus,, 
 came over that Liang Taoutae recognized me ; but the despatch in which he recognizes me 
 I consider is a standmg insult both to Lord Charles Scott and to me. 
 
 (2.) I, in company with Lord Charles Scott, waited on the Taoutae on the 12th day of 
 the 7th moon (29th August) in his office ; Liang Taoutae put a question to me, J immediately 
 answered it, and my answer seemed to excite a strange rage in tlie Taoutae's bosom, as he 
 assaulted me twice, and then, in a boiling passion, withdrew without ever apologizing to 
 Lord Charles Scott, who was his guest, to his private apartments. 
 
 (3.) The District Magistrate of Fung-shan refused, notwithstanding my request upon 
 every principle of justice, to receive or to see me ; and Liang Taoutae approves and upholds- 
 his determination. 
 
 (4.) The Taoutae's despatches are couched in the most insulting and offensive terms. 
 
 2. The abrogation of the whole of the VlUth Article. (Insert the Vlllth Article.) _ 
 (1) The Christian religion, Protestant and Catholic, is persecuted ; (2) British 
 
 missionaries' lives are endanaered ; (3) converts are murdered ; (4j converts are stoned ; 
 (5) their houses destroyed ; "(6) their property plundered ; (7) the mission houses are 
 pulled down. 
 
 I have asked Liang Taoutae agi^in and again to put a stop to those evils and wrongs; 
 but up to this time he has refused. 
 
 3. The abrogation of the first paragraph of the IXth Article. (Insert the 
 paragraph.) 
 
 (I.) The Taoutae will not countersign a single passport in the same manner as Wu 
 Taoutae did. 
 
 (2.) He refuses to grant passports to trade out of the two Treaty ports. 
 
 4. The abrogation of the whole of the Xlth Article. (Insert the Article.) 
 
 (1 .) The local Government have attempted to levy local taxes (leking) upon merchan- 
 dize while still in foreigners' hands. 
 
 (2.) British merchants cannot proceed to and fro at pleasure with their vessels and 
 merchandize, as tiie officials want (1) a mast duty ; and (2) are intent upon levying local 
 taxes on goods that have already paid Tariff rates -, and (3) a British subject was 
 forced away from Taiwan for no fault of his, to the great detriment of his occupation. 
 
 5. The abrogation of the whole of the Xlllth Article. (Insert the Article.) 
 
 (I.) The local Government places restrictions upon Chinese subjects lawfully serving 
 British subjects. 
 
 (2.) The local Government persecutes Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s and Messrs. Tait and 
 Co.'s compradores. 
 
 (3.) The local Government persecutes Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s people at Wu-chai. 
 
 (4.) The local Government does all this without ever applying to the Consul under 
 whose jurisdiction the agents of British firms are. 
 
 6. The abrogation of the whole of the XlVth Article. (Insert the Article.) 
 
 ( 1 .) Biitish subjects, the local Government declares, shall not hire whatever boats they 
 please for the transport of goods. 
 
 (2.) I'hat the number of boats shall not only be limited, but that there shall not be one. 
 (3.) The same with regard to coolies engaged in the carrying of goods. 
 
 7. The abrogation of the first sentence and the last of the XVlth Article. (Insert 
 the Article.) 
 
 The Chinese criminals have not been apprehended and punished according to the 
 laws of China. 
 
41 
 
 8. The abrogation of the^ last sentence of the XVIIth Article. (Insert the 
 sentence.) 
 
 A very great number of crimes and disputes have taken place in the Taiwan Consular 
 District. The Consul had no means of settling amicably these disputes. Over and over 
 again the Consul requested the Chinese local authorities' to give him their assistance, and 
 over and over again they have refused. 
 
 9. The abrogation of the whole of the XVIIIth Article. (Insert the Article.) 
 Insult, violence, robbery, and wrongs have been perpetrated upon British subjects. 
 
 The Consul has over and over again requested the Taoutae to apprehend and punish the 
 guilty parties, but he has never received any satisfactory answer. 
 
 10. The abrogation of the whole of the XXlVth Article. (Insert the Article.) 
 I may prove this charge by a reference to the Xlth Article under the 4th charge. 
 
 11. The abrogation of the last sentence of the Llind Article. rinsert the 
 sentence.) 
 
 (1) Lord Charles Scott, Commander of Her Majesty's ship "Icarus," was greviously 
 insulted by the Taoutae two or three times ; {'A] Lieutenant Johnson, commanding Her 
 Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," was grossly insulted by the Chentai and by the District 
 Magistrate of Fung-shan, which insults the Taoutae upholds. 
 
 12. The abrogation of the whole of the LIVth Article. 
 This Article has been abrogated by the Taoutae altogether. 
 
 I append a list of proceedings, pursued by the local government, of which the 
 Taoutae is at the head, which not only infringe the Articles of the Treaty of Tien-tsin, 
 but which are thoroughly aggressive : — 
 
 (I .) Insults to Lord Charles Scott. 
 
 (2.) Assaults upon and insults to the Acting Consul. 
 
 (3.) Insults to Lieutenant Johnson. 
 
 (4.) Orders for the native boats at Amping not to land the guard. 
 
 (5.) Orders for the chair bearers not to fulfil their engagements. 
 
 (6.) Planting an armed party inside and outside the city of Pitow. 
 _ (7.) Making malicious, scandalous, impudent, and mendacious charges against British 
 subjects. 
 
 (8.) Shooting on Mr. Pickering, a British subject, a Malay, and Messrs. Ellis and 
 Co.'s people. 
 
 (9.) Illegally confiscating the property in Taiwan of Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s compra- 
 dore without applying to the Consul under whose jurisdiction that compradore, belonging 
 to a British firm, is. 
 
 Second. The crimes and wrongs of Liang Taoutae's subordinates. 
 
 (1.) Lin, the District Magistrate of Fungshan. 
 
 On the 6th day of the 8th moon (21st September) the District Magistrate of Fung- 
 shan filled the city of Pitow with an armed force, and planted ambuscades outside the 
 city to prevent the Senior Naval Officer and the Consul visiting him. The object I had 
 in visiting him originally was this : — 
 
 Liang Taoutae explicitly promised to Lord Charles Scott and to me nearly four weeks 
 before that he would give orders that the Chinese criminals under the jurisdiction of the 
 District Magistrate of Fung-shan should instantly be arrested, and I, knowing the unveracity 
 of most of the Taoutae's promises and assertions, proposed to go to Pitow and ask the 
 District Magistrate whether Liang Taoutae had ever given him such orders. I wrote a 
 letter on the 2nd of the 8th moon (17th September), I think, informing the District 
 Magistrate that, in company with the Senior Naval Officer, I should visit him on the 
 6th day of the same moon (21st September); and on the 4th day (19th September) I 
 received a letter from him, dissuading me from coming. I also received two despatches 
 on the two following days from him, containing charges, which he himself indorsed, 
 against Dr. Maxwell, a good man, and Kao-chang, of the most horrid and barbarous crime 
 of murder ; and when I was going to fetch Dr. Maxwell and Kao-chang up to his office 
 to confront their accusers, and that we might examine the matter clearly and decidedly, the 
 District Magistrate filled the city of Pitow with an armed force, and planted ambuscades 
 outside, to prevent the Senior Naval Officer, me, and our guard from entering the city. 
 
 (2.) The crimes and wrongs of Kuo, the Lo-chiang Ting. ' 
 
 The Lo-chiang Ting virulently persecuted Ellis and Co.'s people at Wu-chai; came down 
 with an armed force to arrest the proprietor of Ellis and Co.'s hired house at Wu-chai, and, 
 when he could not find him, apprehended his boy at school. He fired upon Mr. Pickering, 
 a British subject, who had been sent to Wu-chai by the directions of the late Acting 
 
 G 2 
 
42 
 
 Consul, a Malay in the employ of Ellis and Co., and Ellis and Co.'s agents and servants at 
 Wu-chai. 
 
 Now I demand, in the name of every principle of justice, that these three Officers, 
 viz., Liang Taoutae, Lin, the District Magistrate of Fung-shan, and Kuo, the Lo-chiang 
 Ting be dismissed with disgrace. I might add more proofs and extend them at much 
 greater length; but as you are anxious to get away I have merely given you an outline of 
 the most important. 
 
 I add three lists of cases for your information : — 
 
 Criminal Cases. — 1. That Lin-Hai be severely punished before a person appointed 
 by me. 
 
 2. That(l) (2) (3) 
 
 (4) and (.5') Hwang-Hsi, if proved guilty, should suffer death ; and 
 
 their abettors should be severely punished, before a person appointed by me. 
 
 3. That Jan-a-yung should be severely punished before a person appointed by me, 
 
 4. That (1) Wang-Ming, (2) Lu-Feng, and (3) Wang-ko or Wang-ugan should be 
 severely punished before a person appointed by me; and that their abettors (1) Hwang- 
 nan, (2) Hwang-su, (3) Wang-si, (4) Hsii-Tsai, (5) the son of Ping-Hang the Ti-pao, (6) 
 Chan-ma-Kwan, (7) Tien-Tai, (8) Chin-Sin, (9) Sin-tzu-chwang, (10) Wang-Tang, (11) 
 Wang-Tzu, (12) Chau-Chuan, (13) Kan-lioa, (14) Tsu the leper, (15) Hsiao-shi-sheng, 
 (16) Chang- Wang-tzu, (17) Lin-Pau, (18) Lin-sheng, (19) Lin-Hwang, (20) a partner of 
 Chien-Chuang who keeps a rice shop, (21) Wang-Pau, (22) Miao-Li, should be bambooed 
 andcangued. 
 
 5. That the accusers of Dr. Maxwell and Kao-Chang be tried, and, if found guilty, 
 be most severely punished before a person appointed by me. I have already asked for the 
 degradation of the Chi-Hsien of Fung-shan, who, I believe, knows that such an accusation 
 is a falsehood ; but I also demand that the persons who made the charges be punished wjth 
 the utmost rigour of the Law. 
 
 Civil Cases. — 1. That 6,000 dollars be paid within the space of 24 hours as indem- 
 nity for the camphor officially and illegally removed from Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s hired 
 house at Wu-chai, or 6,000 dollars worth of camphor be restored to Messrs. Ellis 
 and Co. 
 
 2. That 1,167 dollars be paid within the space of twenty-four hours to Dr. Maxwell, 
 as indemnity for the destruction of the Mission property. 
 
 3. That 2,000 dollars be paid within the space of twentv-four hours as indemnity to 
 Catholic fathers for the destruction of their property. 
 
 4. That Messrs. Ellis and Co.'s compradore have his property returned as it was 
 before his house was broken into, or damages given him within the space of twenty-four 
 hours to the exact amount of money and other property removed. 
 
 Political Cases. — 1. That a suitable number (say 25) of Proclamations be issued, 
 embodying the first paragraph of the IXth Article of the Treaty, the whole of the Xlth 
 Article, the whole of the Xlllth, and the whole of the XlVth, That these Proclamations 
 should guarantee to British merchants travelling under passports, which passports are to 
 be countersigned by the Taoutae and respected, and the Chinese agents of British 
 merchants, Uberty to trade in camphor both in the interior of this Island, and at coast 
 ports forbidden to foreign vessels ; and that these Proclamations should abolish any notifi- 
 cations issued hitherto, ordering natives under the most severe punishment ; viz., death, 
 not to sell camphor to foreign merchants. 
 
 2. That a suitable number (say 2.5) of Proclamations be issued in favour of the 
 Christian religion, Protestant and Cathohc, embodying the Vlllth Article of the Treaty ; 
 these Proclamations to involve^ — • 
 
 (1.) That the poisonous or noxious drugs which idle report states that the missionaries 
 used, is but a piece of mendacious gossip ; 
 
 (2.) That the authorities will very severely punish any person who utters such lying 
 affirmations ; and 
 
 (3.) That converted natives, not offending against the laws, are not to be persecuted 
 or interfered with. 
 
 3. That a suitable number (say 10) of Proclamations to be issued embodying the 
 XVIIth Article of the Treaty/, and stating that whenever such cases arise between a 
 British subject or their agents and a Chinese subject, so that the Consul cannot settle 
 them amicably, he shall request the assistance of the Chinese authorities, and that these 
 authorities shall come. 
 
 All these conditions are fair and just. Liang Taoutae and his subordinates simply 
 laugh at them. I think you, as an honest, intelligent and straightforward officer, will very 
 
43 
 
 much regret their procedure, and I request you to report the gross malfeasance of the local 
 Government of Formosa. 
 
 I shall conclude by four remarks — 
 
 1 . I have written this despatch to you, and will show you all the documents that I 
 have in my possession upon this subject simply for your information, but you have 
 come over here with very defective powers, utterly incapable of suspending even for a 
 moment the Taoutae's or any ether oflicer's commission. It was on account of your 
 defecti\e powers that I refused to discuss with you subsidiary afiTairs, not on account of 
 your requiring proof of Liang Taoutae's misdeeds. Your desiring evidence of those wrongs 
 of which 1 accuse Liang Tabutae, I consider as very fair and impartial ; and I beg to 
 submit this despatch, the oflice despatches, and a host of witnesses, as indisputable 
 proof. 
 
 2. By writing you this despatch, and showing you all my other despatches simply 
 for your information, you are not to assume that I have made any promise, or will fail to 
 carry out my intentions. 
 
 3. The wrongs inflicted by Liang Taoutae on British subjects are of eight or nine 
 months' duration. I have been very patient under these afflictions ; but those proceedings 
 must come to an end very shortly. Can you not on your own responsibility suspend 
 Liang's commission ? 
 
 4. I must inform you of one error that you made in our conference yesterday. You 
 seemed to assert that British subjects are involved in quarrels with the people generally. 
 Nothing could be further from the fact. British subjects have no complaints to make 
 against the people generally, but they have loud complaints to make against Liang 
 Taoutae and the rest of the officials, their servants, their soldiers, their militia, and their 
 hansers-on. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 o 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 18. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to the Senior Naval Officer at Taiwan, November 20, 1868. 
 
 [See Inclosure 4 in No. 6.] 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 18. 
 
 Lieutenant and Commander Gurdon to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Sir, " Alger ine," Amping, November 22, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inform you that, having received your despatch of the 
 20th instant, you having come on board, 1 weighed the same night at lO'SO p.m., in 
 company with Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," and arrived off Fort Zelandia the next 
 morning. During the day I landed the marines and the boats' crews of the two vessels. 
 Leaving them at the pier, I proceeded, with Lieutenant Johnson and yourself, to reconnoitre 
 the place, but I found Fort Zelandia in such an utter state of ruin that it would not have 
 been prudent, with the limited force at my disposal, to occupy it permanently ; the 
 buildings of the village affording also wretched accommodation for the men, I informed 
 you of the same, and it was determined that we should hold Amping from the ship (the 
 town being within easy range of my pivot-gun), giving notice, at the same time, to the 
 mihtary mandarin to leave the place. The forces accordingly were re-embarked, you 
 leaving for Takow, next morning, in Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," leaving me here. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) T, GURDON. 
 
u 
 
 Inclosure 6 in No. 18. 
 
 Acting Consul Gibson to Lieutenant and Commander Gurdon. 
 
 Sir, Taiioan, Takow Office, December 3, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 22nd ultimo, and beg to 
 inform you that I quite approve of your determination to hold Fort Zelandia and the town 
 of Amping from the ship. 
 
 I h&VG &c 
 
 (Signed) ' JOHN GIBSON. 
 
 Inclosure 7 in No. 18. 
 Lieutenant and Commander Gurdon to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Sir, " Algerine," Amping, December 2, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inform you that, according to your wishes, I boarded the 
 man-of-war lorcha, lying inside of the bar, on Sunday afternoon, and informed her that 
 she must move outside the bar before 6 o'clock that night, or I should have to take 
 possession of her. I then proceeded on s-hore and visited the Heptai, informing him that 
 we had taken possession of Amping, and that, consequently, he must leave the town within 
 the space of twenty-four hours. 
 
 The Heptai at first declined to listen to any arrangement of the sort; but on my 
 informing him that if he did not evacuate the town within the time named by me, I should 
 have to take him prisoner, he said that he would go to Taiwan-foo for orders, and let me 
 know the result next morning. 
 
 The same morning a furious gale from the northward set in, preventing my communi- 
 cation with the shore until Tuesday forenoon. 
 
 On Tuesday, at 11 a.m., I proceeded inside the bar and informed the man-of-war 
 lorcha that, unless she was outside the bar by 3 p.m., I should take possession of her as 
 a prize. 
 
 The lorcha not having moved at the time named, I sent my boats in, manned and 
 armed, took possession of her and moved her outside the bar, anchoring her close to me, 
 sending all her crew on shore, retaining only the captain, and two men to attend on him, 
 on board, placing a guard on board her at the same time. 
 
 During the afternoon a deputation of merchants from Taiwan-foo came on board to 
 request me to allow the Heptai to remain in Amping ; but I informed them that unless 
 they would deposit a sum of 35,000 dollars with me, as a guarantee that all your 
 conditions with Tseng Taoutae were carried out, by my orders, I should be compelled to 
 take possession of Amping the next afternoon : they left, saying that they would inform me 
 next morning if they could deposit with me the sum required. 
 
 The next day at noon 1 received trustworthy intelligence that 500 men had been 
 poured into Amping that morning, and that the Chinese officials were busy at work 
 mounting guns on the fortifications. 
 
 I immediately sent a despatch to the Heptai stating that, unless he sent the troops out 
 of the town and ceased mounting guns on the fortifications within an hour of the receipt 
 by him of my despatch, that I should be compelled to open fire on the town ; at the same 
 time sending notice to the inhabitants to abandon the town, as I intended to open fire 
 at 3 P.M. 
 
 No answer having come, at 4 o'clock I weighed and commenced a slow fire from my 
 pivot-gun of shot and shells, confining my fire as much as possible to the batteries that 
 ■were being armed. At 520 p.m. I ceased firing and anchored. At about 7 p.m. I received 
 a despatch fi-om you, informing me that you had arrived at an arrangement with Tseng 
 Taoutae, solely on account of my holding Amping, and that the British forces were to 
 continue to occupy Amping until the agreement were ratified by Vice-Royal Government 
 of Fukien. 
 
 I immediately saw of what consequence it was that I should be in actual possession of 
 Amping, and the disastrous effects it would have on the negotiations pending if the Chinese 
 put Amping in such a state of defence, as might defy the small force at my disposal. I 
 accordingly came to the conclusion to storm the town of Amping the same night. 
 
 At 10'30 P.M. I left the ship in the gig and cutter, the gig containing one officer and 
 eleven men, the cutter, one officer and twelve men, making a total of two officers and 
 twenty-three men. 
 
45 
 
 I landed on the beach about two miles below the tovrn, through a heavy surf, in which, 
 notwithstanding every precaution, the gig was swamped and sunk. 
 
 After forming on the beach I advanced on the town, feeling my way with great 
 caution, throwing out skirmishers, and taking advantage of every inequality of the ground 
 to conceal my advance until I got within 800 yards of the fortifications, when, seeing that 
 the enemy was on the alert, I took advantage of a steep bank and determined to wait until 
 the moon had gone down. 
 
 At 2*40 A.M., the moon having gone down, I advanced again and succeeded in 
 penetrating into the heart of the town without being discovered, I then managed to obtain 
 a guide, and made for the Heptai's yamen. On breaking into the Heptai's yamen we 
 discovered a guard-room full of soldiers, in number about fifty, who immediately barricaded 
 the door and extinguished the lights; however, port-fires being at hand they were 
 immediately lighted; the door was burst in, when, notwithstanding all my personal 
 endeavours, and those of an interpreter 1 had with me, assuring them that their lives would 
 be spared, and they would be allowed to go free if they laid down their arms, they would 
 not, and reluctantly, in self-defence, 1 was obliged to give the order to fire. The Chinese 
 soldiers succeeded in breaking down a door in their rear, and escaped, suffering, however, 
 a severe loss of eleven killed and about six wounded. 
 
 1 then marched to the Custom-house, halting there till daylight before I advanced 
 further, posting sentries on Fort Zelandia commanding the town, and in the neighbouring 
 streets. 
 
 I managed to write a despatch here informing you of what had taken place, requesting 
 you to proceed here in Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard," whom I ordered up from 
 Takow immediately to reinforce me ; this despatch I succeeded in getting conveyed to you 
 by oflPering a heavy bribe to a native courier. 
 
 Directly it was daylight I concentrated my men and advanced to take possession of 
 the lines — facing toward Taiwan-foo. 
 
 I had only just I'eached the lines, when I observed a large body of the enemy 
 advancing to the attack, led on by a Mandarin carrying a yellow flag. 
 
 I immediately lined the embankment and opened a heavy fire on the enemy, who 
 stood and returned the fire for about five minutes, when they broke and fled towards 
 Taiwan-foo, sustaining a loss, as I have since ascertained, of six killed and about ten 
 wounded. I posted sentries and established guards round the entrenchments, barricading 
 the gate leading to Taiwan-foo, and withdrawing the planks of it. During the afternoon, 
 a deputation of the chief merchants of Taiwan-foo arrived, informing me that they had 
 been sent by Liang Taoutae of Taiwan, and requesting to know what my terms were, as 
 they were empowered by Liang to grant any demand I preferred. 
 
 I informed them that I required a sum of 40,000 Mexican dollars, to be paid over to 
 me before noon the next day, as a guarantee that all your demands were fulfilled, the sum 
 in question not to be returned until your agreement was ratified by the Vice-Royal 
 Government of Fukien ; in case this demand of mine was not complied with, I informed 
 the deputation that I should advance on Taiwan-foo. 
 
 During the night I was informed that ray demand of a guarantee of 40,000 dollars 
 would be complied with, they being guaranteed to be deposited at my head-quarters not 
 latter than 4 r.ii. on Friday the 27th instant. 
 
 At daylight on Friday morning, Her Majesty's gun-boat "Bustard" arrived from 
 Takow with you on board. At about 10 o'clock a.m., Lieutenant Johnson and thirteen 
 men from Her Majesty's gun-boat " Bustard " landed to reinforce me. 
 
 During the day I employed the force in destroying all stores of arms that I could 
 discover, blowing up the magazine in Fort Zelandia, to prevent any accident happening 
 from the large quantity of gunpowder stowed there, and which was stored in a very careless 
 and dangerous manner. 
 
 The 40,000 dollars arrived at head-quarters from Taiwan-foo about 4 o'clock, and 
 were sent off to Her Majesty's gun-boat " Algerine " for safe custody, I giving a receipt 
 and guarantee to the persons bringing it that it would be restored on the fulfilment of your 
 demand by the Vice-Royal Government of Fukien. On Tuesday, the 29th instant, at 
 about 1 1 A.M., Tseng, Taoutae of Amoy, arrived for a conference, and was received with 
 all due hononrs. 
 
 You requested me, as Senior Naval Officer, to make any demands that I required 
 from the Chinese authorities, when I requested from them, before Her Majesty's forces 
 under my command re-embarked, the payment of a sum of 10,000 Mexican dollars, to be 
 applied as follows : — 
 
 A sum of 5,000 dollars for repayment to the British Government of any expense 
 incurred by them in the present expedition : also, a further sum of 5,000 dollars to be paid 
 
46 
 
 to me for ransom of all guns and the Governm.ent stores remaining in the town of Amping, 
 the sum in question to be distributed as prize money to the officers and men under my 
 command. 
 
 This demand was complied with, I, on my part, agreeing to return the sum of 40,000 
 dollars deposited as a guarantee with me ; to restore the man-of-war lorcha, taken by 
 Her Majesty's ship under my command; and to evacuate the town of Amping. 
 
 These promises being conditional on Tseng Taoutae fulfilling the following 
 requests : — 
 
 That he should send you a despatch guaranteeing the dismissal of Liang Taoutae 
 and other officials implicated in the late disturbances at Formosa; 
 
 That Tseng Taoutae should guarantee that no Chinese military force should attempt 
 to occupy Amping until the ratification of the Vice-Royal Government of Fukien of all 
 your requests, the town of Amping, in the meantime, being held by us from a gun-boat. 
 
 These requests were all compHed with, the Taoutae of Araoy returning to Taiwan-foo 
 about 2 P.M. 
 
 On Tuesday the 1st of December, about 11 -30 a.m., the Tsien of Taiwan-foo arrived 
 with the sum of 10,000 dollars, the indemnity required by me before the embarkation of 
 Her Majesty's forces under my command, for which I gave him a receipt, and handed over 
 to him in return the 40,000 dollars in my possession as a guarantee for the fulfilment of 
 your demands. The man-of-war lorcha had been restored to the Chinese officials on 
 the previous day. 
 
 An arrangement was also entered into with the Tsien to receive over civil possession 
 of the town from me at 10 o'clock the following morning. Her Majesty's forces under my 
 command embarking immediately after the ceremony. 
 
 At the same time a sum of 200 dollars, that had been paid by the captain of the 
 man-of-war lorcha, by previous arrangement, for damages sustained by the boats of Her 
 Majesty's ship "Algerine " in boarding and towing her out, was given back to the Tsien ; 
 I taking a receipt for the same from Mr. Mann, Commissioner of Customs. 
 
 At noon on Wednesday, the 2nd instant, the Tsien of Taiwan-foo arrived, and was 
 received with all due honours at the main guard, when 1 handed over to him officially the 
 civil government of the town of Amping. Her Majesty's forces were then marched down 
 to their boats, and embarked without delay, after having held Amping since Thursday the 
 26th of November. 
 
 I have the honour to state, for your information, that, when captured by me, the town 
 of Amping had, mounted on its fortifications, forty-one guns, and that there were in store, 
 ready for mounting, no less than 101. 
 
 The above-mentioned guns varied in calibre, but the greater number consisted of 
 16 and 12-pounders. 
 
 I also destroyed, whilst in possession of x4mping, about 4,000 stand of arms, consisting 
 of gingalls, matchlocks, bows and arrows, swords and spears. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed; T. GURDON. 
 
 Inclosure 8 in No. 1 8. 
 Acting Consul Gibson to the Senior Naval Officer, Taiwan, December 3, 1868. 
 
 [See Inclosure 6 in No. 6. J 
 
 Inclosure 9 in No. 18. 
 
 Messrs. Ellis and Co. to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Sir, Takow, December 7, 1868. 
 
 WE are in receipt of your letter of the 5th current, together with the sum of 6,000 
 dollars, being the indemnity for camphor stolen and illegally detained at Guo-chay. The 
 amount is correct, but we find there are 18 bad dollars, which we return. 
 
 We note that the trade in camphor is to be opened, and that proclamations to this 
 effect will be posted at the camphor-producing districts. 
 
 We have, &c. 
 For Ellis and Co., 
 (Signed) W. H. TAYLOR. 
 
i1 
 
 Inclosure 10 in No. 18. 
 
 Dr. Maxmell to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 English Presbyterian Mission House, Tahow, 
 Sir, December 8, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your communication of date 
 5th December, informing me that Tseng Ta-j in, the Commissioner of the Governor-General 
 of Fukien had assented to your conditions and had sent down 1,167 Mexican dollars as 
 as indemnity for the destruction of Protestant property. I beg further to acknowledge 
 the receipt of the above money. 
 
 I am very glad to hear that, as a further result of your persevering efforts in our behalf, 
 the Commissioner is about to issue proclamations in favour of Christianity. I shall be 
 careful to attend to your injunction to await the due publications of such proclamations 
 before recommencing work in other places than Takow. '.^^ 
 
 My colleague, Mr. Ritchie, unites with me in most hearty thanks to you for your 
 vigorous assertion of our Treaty rights as British subjects and as Protestant missionaries in 
 this island. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) JAMES L. MAXWELL, M.D. 
 
 Inclosure 11 in No. 18. 
 Mr. Sainz to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Sir, Catholic Mission Provincial Vicarage, Chung-kun. 
 
 I RECEIVED your letter of the 5th instant, in which you communicate to us botb 
 the assent of Tseng Ta-jin, the Commissioner of the Governor-General of Fukien to your 
 just conditions, and the indemnity of 2,000 Mexican dollars as damages for the destruction 
 of the Catholic property, which dollars we have received. 
 
 What can I do for such a favour ? I cannot express my gratefulness, but it will be 
 of great pleasure for me to say I thank you, I thank British force, and the Vice-Consul 
 for France. _ ^p).^,,_^,^,__^ 
 
 I am very glad for your firm attitude with the Chinese ; without it all other means 
 will be for ceremony only, but for nothing else. If somebody will be of a different opinion 
 I respect it. ' "■ ' ,^i;ii 
 
 1 desire to see the proclamation in favour of Christianity by Tseng Ta-jin, and would 
 to God they are as they ought to be. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) T. T. SAIREZ, 
 
 Provincial Vicar of Catholic Mission,^ 
 
 Inclosure 12 in No. 18. 
 Proclamation. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 A Proclamation by Tseng, Taoutae of Amoy, having rank of Provincial Judge and 
 
 Commissioner for certain Affairs in Formosa. 
 
 WHEREAS, their Excellencies the Viceroy and Governor of Fukien, deputed me to 
 visit Taiwan, as Special Commissioner to settle in conjunction with the local authorities, all 
 foreign matters awaiting adjustment, and to consider a reduction in the price of camphor 
 sold at the Government dep6t. On my arrival in Formosa, I proceeded, together with 
 Liang, Taoutae of Taiwan, and Yeh the Prefect, to examine the original documents, from 
 which it appeared that hitherto all the camphor produced in the various districts of Formosa 
 was bought in and resold by a contractor who was officially installed in the depot established 
 for the purpose at Taiwan by the Taoutae. A certain proportion of the profits accruing 
 from the sale was required to be paid to Government by the contractor, and was applied to 
 the expenses of Government works. An officer was deputed with a body of military as a 
 preventive service to suppress disturbances and hinder private sales. These measures were 
 taken in consideration of the importance of raising funds for the expenses of the Govern- 
 ment yards, and they have been in vogue several years. 
 
 [212] H 
 
48 
 
 When, however, the port of Taiwan was opened to trade, the foreign merchants 
 finding the Government prices too high, went into the market on their own 
 account. On several occasions seizures were made of camphor thus surreptitiously- 
 purchased at Wu-chi-chiang, a place not opened to trade ; and many disturbances have 
 resulted : the merchants alleging that such action was in breach of Treaty, and the 
 prohibition unauthorized. Meanwhile, independent trade in camphor increased to such an 
 extent that the contractor resigned his post, and the camphor ofiice was in abeyance. 
 
 These events were duly reported to his superiors by the Taoutae of Taiwan. 
 
 By careful investigation we now find that the Government camphor was produced at 
 great expense, and when to this is added the cost of its carriage to the dep6t and the loss 
 occasioned by the discount, the capital employed was in excess of that necessary for the 
 private production of camphor. The selling prices were higher in consequence, and it 
 could not compete with the camphor of the private producer. 
 
 Further, camphor is made an article of trade by Treaty. It has a rate of duty fixed 
 by Tariff, and can be exported. It is not one of the prohibited articles. If the foreign 
 merchant were compelled to buy of the Government contractor, and should be dissatisfied 
 with the high rates charged, he could not be forced to purchase, while such a measure 
 would in effect be a monopoly and fail to carry out the principle of liberality to foreigners. 
 Should, on the other hand, the native merchants alone be made to buy of Government, 
 complaints of partiality would inevitably arise. This course, therefore, is impracticable. 
 
 After mature consideration, I concluded that the only course left was to propose the 
 permanent abolition of the Government depot, and that in accordance with the terms of 
 the Supplementary Treaty, the foreign merchant, having applied to the Superintendent of 
 Customs for the necessary transit pass and duty receipt, might either go into the interior 
 himself, or send his agent to buy at a fair rate from the native producer. He might then 
 convey it in native boats to the Custom-house for inspection, and ship it for exportation 
 on payment of export and transit duties, and that there was no necessity to establish any 
 inland Customs barrier. These measures it was hoped would prove satisfactory, and lead 
 to the establishment of mutual concord between foreigners and natives, and remove all 
 causes of complaint. 
 
 T accordingly sent the Prefect of Taiwan to Chi-hou to consult on their expediency 
 with Mr. Gibson, British Consul at Taiwan, and Acting-Consul in the interests of the 
 French, Prussians, and Danes, and he signified his approval of the measures. Having 
 then referred the whole case to the authorities in Fukien for their approval, I received 
 hei r sanction to the scheme. 
 
 I have transmitted a copy of the sections of the Treaty which refer to the camphor 
 trade to Mr. Consul Gibson, requesting an answer in detail, on the receipt of which I shall 
 send my Report to the Viceroy and Governor of Fukien, and issue instructions to the 
 magistrates in Taiwan. 
 
 It remains for me to issue this Proclamation. 
 
 Let the producers and merchants of camphor know that the Government depot is 
 hereby declared to be abolished, and the official purchases and sales in camphor are at an 
 end- Native and foreign merchants are henceforth at liberty to trade in camphor at will 
 and without hindrance. 
 
 The original Proclamation of the Taoutae prohibiting the native merchants and 
 producers of camphor from trading independently under pain of being punished in like 
 manner as the contraband traders in camphor wood and sulphur, is hereby declared to be 
 annulled and waste paper. 
 
 Hereafter, ye producers of camphor are permitted as of old to make your camphor 
 and trade with native or foreign merchants on fair terms and ready money payment, 
 -without ofiicial supervision. 
 
 Let not any suspicions lead you to suspend the operations of your trade. Should any 
 of the military or Government employes, under pretence of being sent out by the camphor 
 depot authorities to watch against contraband trade, illegally continue to hinder your 
 trade or exact fines, ye are to give immediate information to the local authorities ; and 
 they and the Yamen will severally cause the offenders to be arrested, tried, and punished 
 with the utmost rigour. 
 
 This is to show them clearly what they have to avoid, and to alleviate the difficulties 
 of the merchants. 
 
 Let this Proclamation be strictly obeyed. 
 
 Tung-chih, 7th year 10th moon 27th day (December 10, 1868). 
 
49 
 
 Inclosure 13 in No. 18. 
 
 The Prince of Kung to Sir R. Alcock. 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE Prince of Kting, &c., makes a communication. 
 
 On the 11th instant a Memorial was received from the Viceroy of Fukien and 
 Che-kiang, Ying, and the Governor of Fukien, Pien, to the effect that " the Intendant of 
 the Hsing, Chuen, Yung Circuit, Tseng Tsien-tih (the Amoy Taoutae), was directed to 
 proceed to the district capital (Tuivvan-foo) as a Special Commissioner (bearing his seal), 
 there to examine the archives and settle promptly and satisfactorily the several matters 
 requiring adjustment in Formosa. As regards visits to the interior by foreign merchants 
 and native vagabonds acting in collusion, the prevention by tJie Camphor Committee of 
 the opening at Wuchi, and other places not being Treaty ports, of establishments for the 
 private purchase of camphor for export, the burning and destruction of the religious 
 establishments, the quarrel between a native and a foreigner, and the murders of Christian 
 converts ; in all these cases the criminals, having been apprehended by the sub-prefects 
 and magistrates acting under orders from the Intendant of Formosa and the Prefect of 
 Taiwan, were sentenced, some to exposure in the cangue, and some to flogging. Five 
 points were thus disposed of, and two left unsettled. There also remained the regulations 
 for the camphor trade, whicii it was necessary to settle with the English Consul personally. 
 Mr. Gibson having repeatedly expressed his desire to send for vessels of war and extort 
 an indemnity, the Amoy Taoutae and Acting Prefect of Taiwan, J^ Tsung-Yuen, 
 proceeded together to Takow (Chi-how) to confer with that gentleman, who, however, 
 repeatedly pleading illness, would not see them. 
 
 "All at once, on the 21st November, these officers became aware that Consul Gibson 
 himself, and the naval officers, Chie-tang and Yung-sh^ng, had gone to Amping (Fort 
 Zelandia) with two men-of-war and had bombarded the place, firing seven shots. The 
 enraged populace, who wished to fight, were restrained and subordinated by the officials 
 sent by the Lieutenant-General, Liu Ming-ting, and others, in conjunction with the civil 
 authority, who would not allow them to be impatient or disorderly. At last, on the 
 24th November, the Amoy Taoutae and Acting Pi'efect of Taiwan had an interview with 
 Mr. Gibson. They repeatedly set the right before him, and quoted the Treaty in 
 condemnation of his acts. He was in the wrong, and was at a loss how to reply,^, 
 expressing his willingness to confer on the several points. Accordingly, a course of action. 
 for immediate adoption was decided upon for each. Mr. Gibson's reply to the Amoy 
 Taoutae differs in no respect from this statement. 
 
 " Unexpectedly, during the 25th of November, the naval officer, Chie-tang, towed off 
 a supply vessel belonging to the Pescadores squadron, taking also her Commander, 
 Sun Kuang-tsai, and two soldiers. Then, about midnight of that same day, the same 
 officer stealthily brought on shore, by an unfrequented channel, a number of foreign 
 soldiers. They burst into the quarters of the Brigadier commanding at Amping, kilhng^ 
 and wounding his men. That officer, by name Chiang Kuo-chen, being too much out- 
 numbered to resist, and being wounded, destroyed himself by poison. There were also 
 killed 1 soldier and 10 braves, while 13 others were wounded, and the stores and powder 
 magazines of all three brigades were set on fire and destroyed. Chie-tang said that he 
 had been ordered to make the attack ; that if a cessation of hostihties was desired, 
 40,000 dollars must be handed over at once, and that if there was any delay he would 
 bombard the city. On this the gentry and merchants raised the sum of 40,000 dollars, 
 which was handed to Chie-tang to be held as a guarantee. 
 
 " The Amoy Taoutae sent Man San-teh (Mr. Man, the Commissioner of Customs at 
 Takow) to Mr. Gibson to protest against such violation of the engagements already 
 entered into, by the employment of armed force. Mr. Gibson declared that he had 
 directed the gun-boat to anchor off Fort Zelandia, but had given no order to commence 
 an attack ; and that Chie-tang had landed and caused the disturbance in disobedience of 
 orders and without the knowledge of the Consul ; while Chie-tang as positively asserted 
 that he was not to blame, having acted under orders. Each held to his own statement and 
 disputed the point. On the 29th November the Amoy Taoutae and Acting Prefect of 
 Taiwan went to Amping, and having invited the attendance of the various foreign officers, 
 strictly inquired of them as to their various breaches of Treaty. Mr. Gibson ordered 
 Chie-tang to return to the gentry and merchants the 40,000 dollars held in guarantee ; 
 and the arrangements previously made were to be carried out as at first decided. But 
 when the fault of Chie-tang, in committing an act of war of his own motion, came under 
 discussion, that officer, unexpectedly adhering to his previous statement, would deduct 
 10,000 dollars from the sura he held to make good his expenses. He insisted that this 
 [212] I 
 
50 
 
 must be paid by the local authorities, who, thereupon, having been furnished with the 
 amount by the gentry and merchants, handed it to Gibson and Chie-tang. An English 
 receipt, sealed by them, was given to the Magistrate of Taiwan, and Chie-tang returned 
 the 40,000 dollars received by him as a guarantee to the gentry and merchants ; -he also 
 restored the vessel and the officer and men detained by him, and the residence of the 
 Brigadier, and having embarked his men returned to Takow. The vessel of Jung Sheng 
 still remained anchored at Amping, &c., &c." 
 
 In this matter of the camphor trade by British merchants, and missionary troubles 
 in Formosa, the reiterated communications of his Excellency the British Minister were 
 each and all succeeded by orders from the Prince to the high provincial authorities of 
 Chekiang and Fukien to send a high official across to Eormosa to do justice in conjunc- 
 tion with all parties. 
 
 It appears from the memorial of the Viceroy that the Amoy Taoutae had reported 
 that at an interview with Mr. Consul Gibson the various questions remaining unsettled 
 in Formosa had been discussed and decided seriatim, with a view to an immediate settle- 
 ment accordingly ; and that Consul Gibson in a despatch in reply to the Amoy Taoutae 
 raised no objections. 
 
 There should have been no further differences over a matter once so discussed ; but 
 Consul Gibson, the discussion on the points having closed, all at once, in contravention 
 of the agreement which had been come to, permits Chie-tang to commence a bombard- 
 ment, to seize a vessel, to take possession of a barrack, to cause the death of a Brigadier, 
 to wound and kill soldiers and braves, to burn down a store and magazine, and to extort 
 an indemnity. All these acts are in breach of Treaty, and he undertook them having 
 undoubtedly a wilful desire to quarrel. 
 
 During the reign of His late Majesty, and before the exchange of Treaties, it often 
 happened that foreign nations having differences with the local officials had recourse to 
 ships of war. But since the conclusion of the Treaties there have been resident foreign 
 Ministers to discuss in a spirit of amity all questions with the Foreign Board. There have 
 been instances of even-handed justice, of redress granted, and of protection afforded; 
 each side has placed confidence in the other. A Consul, then, who has a difficulty has his 
 appeal to his Minister in the capital, and should no longer on all occasions call for naval 
 assistance to the detriment of friendly relations. 
 
 In the present instance, Mr. Gibson, if not satisfied with what was proposed, might 
 have discussed his argument with the local authorities, or, having reported his course 
 of action, might have awaited your Excellency's instructions. But instead of either, he 
 takes upon himself to commit an act of war, and raise a most serious question. 
 
 The Prince and his Excellency the British Minister regard good faith, and would 
 preserve friendly relations ; each desires that amicable relations may perpetually increase ; 
 but this Consul and the military officers engaged on the other hand have dared, following 
 their own inclinations, and having no fear of the law, to insult China, and recklessly make 
 war. It was not the intention of his Excellency the British Minister that they should so 
 - act ; he cannot support the action of the Consul and his colleagues ; while the Prince, as 
 Administrator- General of Foreign Affairs, cannot tolerate such anarchy between the two 
 countries, when it is brought to his notice. 
 
 Moreover, the disposition of the populace of Formosa is fierce and excitable, differing 
 greatly from that of the people of China. On the present occasion the Lieutenant-General 
 commanding, and the Intendant, having supreme regard for the Treaty, would not allow 
 the populace to fight. Had the people been as irritable as Mr. Gibson, their united rage 
 being irresistible would have greatly endangered mercantile interests generally. 
 
 Already, a short time ago, the Prince wrote to request the British Minister to caution 
 Mr. Medhurst for taking soldiers to Yang-chow. But Consul Gibson's oflTence is of a more 
 glaring nature. If it is not severely punished, how will the authority of his Excellency the 
 British Minister to control the Consuls at the other ports appear ? In the time to come 
 such acts of war will be everywhere improved upon, and what will be the end ? 
 
 The Prince has made no haste to inform the Chinese Envoy of this case, that it might 
 be communicated to the British Government, nor did he notify it to the several foreign 
 Ministers, because his Excellency in his ministerial capacity, whenever international 
 questions have arisen at the ports, has always dealt justly by them. The Prince, therefore, 
 in the first instance, solicits the action of his Excellency the British Minister. He trusts 
 that the wrong doing of Consul Gibson and of the officer Chie-tang will be thoroughly 
 inquired into and punished, and that they will be ordered to refund the 10,000 dollars they 
 Isave extorted ; that, as a warning, and insure to the friendly relations of the two countries, 
 his Excellency will memoriahze Her M ijesty the Queen to dismiss Consul Gibson and his 
 colleague (Lieutenant Gurdon) from her service and punish them. On no account should 
 
51 
 
 any consideration be shown them. As to the murder of a high official of the second grade, 
 the kilUng and wounding of soldiers and braves, the burning of the store and 
 magazines, the Prince hopes to learn in reply how his Excellency proposes to deal with 
 these cases. 
 
 On receipt of the full details of these cases from the Provincial authorities, the 
 matter can be further considered and dealt with. Meanwhile, the Prince addresses his 
 Excellency the British Minister as above. 
 
 A necessary communication to Sir R. Alcock, &c. 
 
 7th year, 12th montl ^^^ dav (16th January, 1869). 
 
 Inclosure 14 in No. 18. 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Prince of Kung. 
 
 January 28, 1869. 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from your 
 Imperial Highness dated the 16th of January. 
 
 I had hoped before this to have received from Taiwan a detailed report of the occur- 
 rences referred to in the memorial of the Viceroy of Fukien and Che-kiang, Ying, and the 
 Governor of the Fukien Provinces, and to have been enabled to reply with a full 
 knowledge of the facts. 
 
 As up to the present time, however, nothing has arrived but a short despatch of 
 Mr. Gibson, very briefly stating in outline the arrangements entered into with Tseng 
 Ta-jin. the Amoy Taoutae dispatched to Taiwan for that purpose, and the events which 
 preceded immediately the settlement made on the 24th of November, I am unwilhng any 
 longer.to. defer acknowledging the communication of your Imperial Highness. 
 
 In the absence of the detailed report which Mr. Gibson announced his intention of 
 forwarding by the earliest opportunity, I cannot enter into any discussion of the particular 
 facts, but I may at once inform your Imperial Highness that no act of hostility having 
 been authorized by me, Mr. Gibson will be held responsible for whatever may have been 
 done under his orders of the nature; and if the facts should prove, on due inquiry, to be 
 such as the Viceroy of Fukien and Chekiang and the Governor of Fukien represent in 
 their Memorial, both Mr. Gibson and the naval officer in question will be held answerable 
 for any hostile measures leading to a loss of life, which in common with your Imperial 
 Highness I sincerely deplore. 
 
 If any sums have been exacted for war expenses, or for any other purpose than a just 
 compensation for losses and injtfries inflicted on British subjects, and for which indemnity 
 had already been claimed, I will take immediate steps for their reimbursement. 
 
 I had already two months ago taken steps to supersede Mr. Gibson in charge of the ' 
 Consulate, and Mr. Swinhoe, the Consul of Taiwan, will long ere this have arrived at his 
 post. I had also in communication with his Excellency the Naval Commander-in-chief, 
 made arrangements with the Senior Naval Officer of superior rank to proceed to Taiwan, 
 and in concert with Mr. Swinhoe, endeavour to secure a satisfactory settlement of all 
 pending differences with the local authorities. 
 
 Unfortunately, the length of time required for the transmission of orders, and the 
 uncertainty in all means of communication, have prevented these arrangements taking 
 effect in time to avert the evil that was feared from the long continuance of the contentions 
 and differences. 
 
 As soon as I receive more detailed information ' from the spot, I will again address 
 your Imperial Highness on the subject, when all matters connected therewith can be 
 further considered and decided upon in accordance with Treaty rights. Meanwhile, I 
 forward these few lines in acknowledgment. 
 
 In the meantime, it will be evident to your Imperial Highness that so long as provincial 
 high officers at Foo-chow, and their subordinate local officers in Formosa either do not 
 know or will not give effect to the engagements entered into by the Imperial Government 
 at Peking with the Representatives of foreign Powers, such untoward complications as 
 these are only too likely to arise, whatever may be the desire of these to maintain none 
 but the most friendly relations, and to conduct international affairs on the strictest 
 principles of justice and good faith. Had the long-standing grievances of foreigners in 
 Formosa been earlier attended to and redressed by Fukien High Authorities, the present 
 collision and loss of life would certainly not have occurred. 
 
 I avail, &c, 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 ' I 2 
 
52 
 
 Inclosure 15 in No. 18. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Prince of Kung. 
 (Translation.) 
 Sir, Peking, February 4, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE just received a despatch from Admiral Keppel informing me that imme- 
 diately it had been reported to him that a sum of 10,000 dollars had been demanded by 
 Lieutenant Gurdon for war expenses, he ordered that it should be returned to the Local 
 Authorities at Taiwan, having thus anticipated my wishes and your Imperial Highness' 
 request. 
 
 With reference to the injuries sustained by missionaries at the hands of the populace 
 at Yang-chow, medical evidence of unimpeachable character having satisfied me that the 
 injuries received by Mr. Rudland, Mrs. Taylor, and Miss Blatcliley are all of po serious a 
 character as to entail some permanent disability, I have felt bound to instruct Mr. Med- 
 hurst to demand of the Local Authorities a further sum of 1 ,500 taels to be divided among 
 the sufferers as a very moderate compensation for the injuries received. By the inclosed 
 document your Highness will perceive that Mr. Medhurst holds the sum of 6,000 taels as a 
 guarantee for the arrest of the man Koh ; and when tliat officer claimed in compensation 
 •for the injured missionaries 500 taels he distinctly made the demand subject to my 
 approval as to the amount. It will save trouble and expedite a satisfactory settlement, 
 therefore, if Mr. Medhurst deducts from this sum the amounts now to be paid to the 
 missionaries ; and it will be for the High Provincial Authorities to compel the Yang-chow 
 officials, through whose fault it is that the missionaries were injured, to make good the 
 amount to the Imperial Treasury. 
 
 I avail, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 No. 19. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — (^Received April 23.) 
 
 (Extract.) Peking, February 11, 1869. 
 
 I WAS glad to be able to communicate to the Prince the fact that, previous 
 to any action on my part becoming known to the Admiral, Sir Henry Keppel, he 
 had, by anticipation caused the refund, to the local authorities, of the 10,0U0 dollars, 
 indemnity claimed by Lieutenant Gurdon at Taiwan. 
 
 It may be necessary if, in the future, similar cases are to occur, to insist upon the 
 repayment of all expenses to v/hich Her Majesty's Government may be put when compelled 
 to adopt measures of coercion with the local authorities to compel redress not otherwise 
 -attainable for wrongs suffered by British subjects ; but for the present, as in the Yangchow 
 case, I believe, it was more important to avoid all possible misconception of our motives 
 for action, and demonstrate that redress and justice, not money for Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment, were the sole objects contemplated. 
 
 I have received, but too late to forward copies by this packet, further reports and 
 despatches, both from Mr. Swinhoe and Mr. Gibson. From these I learn that Mr. Swinhoe 
 who did not arrive until the 10th of December off" Taiwan, when the engagements entered 
 into by the local authorities and Commissioners from Amoy, were being actively carried 
 • out, hesitated to take charge in accordance with my instructions, and thus supersede 
 Mr. Gibson, fearing that it might be construed into a censure and disapproval of that officer's 
 -action, and interfere with the progress of a satisfactory settlement. 
 
 Under the circumstances, I think Mr. Swinhoe exercised a wise discretion, upon the 
 whole, and I have not felt disposed to take serious exception to the course adopted, as will 
 be seen by my despatch of this date, a copy of which I inclose, as also of one to Mr. Gibson 
 .directing him to continue in charge for the present. 
 
 Mr. Gibson's continuance in charge is, nevertheless, a cause of some embarrassment 
 to me. Having already announced to the Prince of Kung the despatch of Mr. Swinhoe, 
 and Mr. Gibson's anticipated relief by the presence of the Consul of the port, it will .be 
 impossible to leave the latter permanently there. And as Mr. Swinhoe's health appears to 
 too precarious to enable him to remain at his own post in a tropical climate, and will 
 probably compel him, at no distant date, to apply for sick leave to return to England, I 
 must shortly make some other arrangements for removing Mr. Gibson. If the acts of hostility 
 cannot be ultimately approved and defended, it will be necessary to take some steps in 
 satisfaction of the demands made by the Prince. In any case, I should not feel justified 
 
63 
 
 ill leaving Mr. Gibson in sole charge, nor do I think, in any point of view, it would be 
 expedient. The local authorities, whose removal I had demanded, either have already been 
 displaced, or the assurance received that they shall be so promptly. Until this takes effect 
 I have good ground for hesitating to remove Mr. Gibson, whether the final judgment on 
 his conduct be one of condemnation or approval. But 1 think there will be a better 
 chance of friendly relations being established and maintained with the new Chinese 
 authorities if, on both sides, a change in the administrative officers can be effected. 
 
 I ought to mention, that up to the date of the last despatches from Formosa, the 
 6th of January, Mr. Swinhoe was still at Takow, giving his advice and assistance to 
 Mr. Gibson, although he had declined taking charge. Everything seemed to be proceeding 
 very satisfactorily. The chief criminal in the murder of the catechist had been executed; 
 various other offenders had been identified and punished ; all the sums claimed in compen- 
 sation for the merchants and missionaries had been paid into Mr. Gibson's hands in full ; 
 and a satisfactory Proclamation, denouncing all offenders against the missionaries or 
 foreigners generally, had been issued ; as also another, distinctly rehnquishing all right to 
 continue a camphor monopoly. On one point alone did there seem any question in 
 carrj'ing out the engagements entered into, and that was the removal of Ling Shuh-tseun, 
 the Chehien, who had been inculpated in the past maladministration of affairs. 
 
 If the means adopted by Mr. Gibson were somewhat sharp and unauthorized, it would 
 seem that they were, at all events, eminently successful, and brought all our difficulties, 
 with both authorities and people, to a very swift and satisfactory termination, while nine 
 months had been wasted in previous futile efforts by negotiation and remonstrance. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 19. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Swinhoe. 
 
 (Extract.) Peking, February 12, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatches of 1.5th, 26th, and 28th of December last, and 
 imder the circumstances stated in your despatch of December 1 5th, I am not disposed 
 to take exception to the discretionary power you assumed in not giving effect to your 
 instructions. At the same time, as you were simply a Consul returning to your own post, 
 and therefore necessarily superseding any Junior Officer acting in your place and absence, 
 I do not see in the same strong light that you seem to have done, the liability of 
 misconstruction on the part of the local authorities, still less of the Commissioner sent from 
 Amoy, who must have known very well what your actual rank and position are. 
 
 Looking, however, to the state of your health, and the probability of your not being 
 able to take up your post permanently, it is not essential that you should now remain 
 there. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 19. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Swinhoe. 
 
 Sir, Peking, January 29, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to Mr. Gibson's despatch of the 25th of November, and its 
 inclosures, I have to instruct you to call upon that officer for a detailed report — if not 
 already forwarded — giving his reasons for a commencement of hostilities on Chinese 
 territory by his requisition to the Senior Naval Officer to take possession of the fort of 
 Zelandia and the town of Amping. You will desire him to state specifically why he 
 considered it necessary "for the bare existence and interests of British subjects" to 
 proceed to this act of war, and what he meant by the " bare existence of British subjects ?" 
 In what way were these or their immediate interests imperilled ? 
 
 I inclose you a copy of an official communication received from the Prince of Kung, 
 recapitulating the contents of a Memorial to the Emperor from the Viceroy of Fukien 
 and Che-kiang and the Governor of Fukien, and to every one of the allegations and ' 
 statements of the writers, bearing upon the management of affairs, I have to desire a 
 categorical reply may be furnished by Mr. Gibson. 
 
 I presume that officer will have already forwarded the detailed statement announced 
 in his despatch of the 25th of November, and that this will supply the information 
 required to enable' me to form a correct judgment as to the whole of his proceedings 
 
54 
 
 before and after the 20th of November. He will, however, do well to add, without delay 
 whatever he may deem necessary in further vindication of measures of hostility against 
 which the Chinese Government have protested, and for which he had no authority or 
 sanction in any of my despatches. Such acts are far beyond the powers vested in a Consul, 
 unless in some great and unforeseen emergency where the lives of British subjects are in 
 immediate and imminent peril, and no other means of protection or safety can be made 
 available. 
 
 You will also desire Mr. Gibson to furnish the Chinese version of his communication 
 to Tseng, the Taoutae of Amoy, of which he only inclosed the English in his despatch of 
 the 25th of November, and inform me distinctly whether he mentioned, or in any way 
 authorized, a demand for 10,000 dollars, or any other sums, by the Senior Naval Officer 
 for expenses, ransom or prize-money ; and if not, whether, to his knowledge, any was 
 received, under what circumstances, and with, or without, a protest on his part against the 
 proceeding. 
 
 Mr. Gibson states that, at the conference he had with Tseng Ta-jin on the 17th of 
 November, at Takow, Dr. Maxwell, Dr. Manson, the agents for Messrs. Ellis and Co. and 
 Messrs. Tait and Co., were present, and again at the conference of the 24th. I am at loss 
 to know why these members of the community, having no official position, should have 
 been present on either occasion, although there are many obvious reasons why they should 
 not. I desire, therefore, to know upon what grounds they were intruded on the Chinese 
 authorities in an official interview with the officer in charge of British interests, and 
 whether they were further allowed to take any part in the proceedings ? 
 
 I am, &c 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 1 9. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Acting Consul Gibson. 
 
 Sir, Peking, February 12, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 14th of December, and also Mr. Swinhoe's 
 of the 15th, 26th, and 28th of December, and, as I have some reason to anticipate that 
 this officer has already left in bad health, 1 have to instruct you to continue in charge until 
 you hear farther from me. I defer expressing any final opinion on the serious responsi- 
 bilities you have incurred, in seeking redress by actual hostilities with considerable loss of 
 life, until I receive your answer to my despatch of the 29th of January, which I inclose in 
 duphcate, to guard against any miscarriage. 
 
 I trust it is quite unnecessary to reiterate the instructions contained in my despatch 
 of the 2nd of December, and to enjoin you to abstain from any active measures of coercion 
 or hostility without express orders from me. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Keppel informs me that he has already authorized you to 
 refund to the proper authorities the 10,000 dollars exacted by Lieutenant Gurdon for 
 expenses of war, &c., an act vfhic^ I entirely approve, and 1 trust you lost no time in giving 
 effect to the order of the Naval oommander-in-chief. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 19, 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Peking, February 12, 1869. 
 
 IN reply to your Excellency's letter of the 8th ultimo, informing me that in the 
 event of Mr. Swinhoe being enabled to carry out my previous instructions, Her Majesty's 
 ship " Dove " would be held available to convey him up the Yang-tsze, I have to state 
 that if that officer's health will enable him to pursue his exploration, I have written to 
 direct him to do so, and to avail himself of your Excellency's arrangements to facilitate his 
 objects. 
 
 I should be glad, if you saw no objection, that the gun-boat might not only try to 
 convey him up to the farther end of the Poyang Lake, but as high above Hankow as it 
 could safejiy go towards Ching-king-foo in Szechuen. And, in the event of much progress 
 being made in that direction, it would be very desirable if careful hydrographic observations 
 
55 
 
 could be made for general information, as well as to determine how far the river in its 
 course upwai-ds is navigable for steamers. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 No. 20. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 26, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 5th of February respecting the late 
 occurrences at Taiwan in Formosa. 
 
 The instructions which 1 have addressed to you within the last four months, and, 
 as regards Formosa more particularly, my despatch of the 23rd of February, will have 
 fully explained to you the views of Her Majesty's Government on the general question 
 raised in this able despatch, and the particular incidents referred to in it. 
 
 You will lose no opportunity of pressing on the Chinese Government, with special 
 reference to my correspondence with Mr. Burlingame, of which copies have been sent to 
 you, that Her Majesty's Government look to it, and it alone, for redress of wrongs of any 
 kind, and under any circumstances, done to British subjects, and earnestly trust that they 
 will not look in vain. They hold the Government at Peking alone responsible for the 
 observance of Treaties which are contracted with it alone, and they look to it to enforce on 
 the local authorities a full observance of them. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
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CHINA. No. 8 (1869). 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 WITH 
 
 SIR RUTHERFORD ALCOCK 
 
 RESPECTING 
 
 MISSIONARIES AT HANKOW, 
 
 AND 
 
 STATE OF AFFAIRS 
 
 XT 
 
 VARIOUS PORTS IN CHINA, 
 
 Presented to both Houses of Purilament by Command of Her Majesty, 
 
 1869. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRINTED BY HARRISON AND SONS. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 No. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Page 
 
 1. SirR. Alcock . 
 
 Jan. 13, 1869 
 
 Hostility towards missionaries at Hankow. Consul's appli- 
 cation for a ship of war. Correspondence with the 
 
 
 
 
 Consul and Senior Naval OflBcer . . 
 
 1 
 
 2. To Sir R. Alcock 
 
 Mar. 30, 
 
 Acknowledging above, and approves instructions to Consul 
 Caine. Admiralty doubt expediency of stationing ships 
 
 
 
 
 of war in the Yang-tsze . . 
 
 4 
 
 .3. To Admiralty . 
 
 31, 
 
 Sends copy of above 
 
 4 
 
 4. J) j9 • 
 
 Apr. 5, 
 
 Sends copy of No. 1 
 
 5 
 
 5. Admiralty 
 
 10, 
 
 Inexpedient to station a gun-boat permanently at Hankow . 
 
 5 
 
 6. To Sir R. Alcock 
 
 19, 
 
 Satisfaction at the general restoration of peace and order. 
 Remarks on the injudicious proceedings of missionaries, 
 and the acts of retaliation by Her Majesty's Consul and 
 
 
 
 
 naval officers. As to the sufficiency of his powers 
 
 5 
 
Correspondence with Sir Rutherford Alcock respecting Mission- 
 aries at Ilankowj and State of Affairs at various Ports in 
 China. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Sir R. Alcoch to Lord Stanley. — {Received March 22.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, January 13, 1869. 
 
 I INCLOSE correspondence between Her Majesty's Consul at Hankow, the Senior 
 Naval Officer, and myself. 
 
 The Yanj^-chow affair has been satisfactorily brought to a close not without trouble 
 and serious effort, but I am yet waiting for information as to the result of measures to be 
 taken in Formosa for the protection of British interests, and the redress of injuries chiefly 
 inflicted upon missionaries. And as both authorities and Chinese colonists there are less 
 tinder the control of the Central or even the Provincial Government, and a plot was 
 discovered to waylay and attack both the Consul and the naval escort he was expected to 
 have with him, it cannot be matter of surprise if there should be some serious collision. 
 
 In my despatcli to Vice-Adaiiial Sir Henry Keppel, copy of which is herewith 
 inclosed, I have referred to the terms in which your Lordship answered Mr. Lockhart and 
 others when they addressed you last year, praying for greater facilities of access to the 
 interior, and the inference I drew therefrom as to the views of Her Majesty's Government 
 on the subject of missionary labours away from the ports. 
 
 If I have rightly interpreted these, your Lordship will, I have no doubt, approve the 
 tenor of my despatches both to the Consul and the Naval Commander-in-chief. But the 
 difficulties created by these outbreaks are so serious, and may be followed at any moment 
 by such disastrous consequences to our interests in this country and to themselves, that I 
 think it right to put Her Majesty's Government in possession of all the circumstances as 
 they arise, in order that special instructions may be given if these should seem required. 
 
 So far as the Protestant Missions are concerned, it may well be matter of doubt 
 whether they are justified, by any existing prospects of success, in provoking the dangers 
 resulting from their attempts to establish missions in the interior, and away from the 
 Treaty ports where alone they can be efficiently protected. It becomes undoubtedly 
 matter for serious consideration how far Her Majesty's Government will be disposed to go 
 in efforts to extend that protection beyond the circle of the ports, in the event of 
 missionaries persevering in their present course of extending operations into the interior 
 on their own responsibility and without much regard of consequences to themselves or to 
 
 others. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 1. 
 Consul Caine to Sir R. Alcock, 
 
 Sir Hankov}, December 1, 1868. 
 
 IT appears to me that the naval authorities consider that this port does not Fequire 
 the presence of a vessel of war, except at irregular intervals and for short periods. 
 
 There was no gun-boat here on my arrival in the middle of July. The " Dove " 
 arrived on the 30th of July, and left again on the 9th of October ; since when we have had 
 no vessel here. 
 
 On the 29th of October I applied to the Senior Naval Officer at Shanghae for protec- 
 tion, as in consequence of the inflammatory placards which were then appearing at 
 Wuchang, I considered a breach of the peace very probable. No answer was received till 
 
 [217] S 2 
 
15th of November, and this stated it was out of the Senior Officer's power to detach a 
 vessel. The " Opossum " would, however, be sent after her arrival at Shanghae. This 
 vessel I am told has to be docked first and otherwise repaired. So that in from two to three 
 months' time from the date of my requisition for immediate aid, it may be possible to have 
 a vessel of war at this port. 
 
 The protection of Hankow over 600 miles up the Yang-tsze, and with, at least, a 
 from 3- to 4-knot current always running out, makes it, in my opinion, absolutely 
 necessary that a vessel of war should always be present at the port, and should not when 
 ordered away take her departure till the reHef arrives. 
 
 The " Havoc " gun-boat could make no way against the current, and had to be towed 
 up by one of the river steamers. The " Dove " was over n month on the passage. 
 
 These facts speak for themselves, and show that if tiie navy are to afford any protec- 
 tion, a vessel of war must be always stationed here. 
 
 Should the necessity arise for such aid it would take at least from ten to fourteen 
 days after the despatch of a requisition for the fastest vessel the navy possess to reach 
 Hankow. 
 
 I trust your Excellency will see the justice of my remarks, and prevail on the Naval 
 Commander-in-chief to keep a vessel of war of some sort always on this station. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) G. W. CAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 1. 
 Consul Caine to Captain Heneage. 
 
 Sir, Hankow, October 29, 1868. 
 
 FOR the last few days the people of Wuchang have shown great hostility towards the 
 missionaries resident in the city, brought out I have no doubt by the Yang-chow aflPair, of 
 which they only heard a short time since. 
 
 The Magistrate declines to help, and though I am doing my utmost to afford the 
 missionaries every assistance through the Chinese officials, I fear my efforts may be unsuc- 
 cessful unless supported by the presence of a British vessel of war. 
 
 Placards have appeared to-day threatening those people who rent buildings to the 
 missionaries, and these latter have in consequence received from their landlords notice to 
 quit. 
 
 This state of things must be stopped ; and I have accordingly the honour to request 
 that a vessel of war may be dispatched as speedily as possibly to render assistance. I need 
 scarcely inform you that a gun-boat could not get here under a month unless towed by one 
 of the river steamers ; the assistance I require is immediate, and there is no vessel of war 
 nearer than Chin-kiang. 
 
 Missionaries are constantly being stoned when passing along Wuchang streets in the 
 evening. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) G. W. CAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 1 . 
 Captain Heneage to Consul Caine. 
 
 Sir, "Rodney" off Nanking, November 8, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, respecting 
 the disturbed state of affairs at Hankow, and requesting that a vessel of war may be 
 dispatched to render assistance. 
 
 In reply, I beg to inform you that at present I am unable to comply with your request 
 as I have neither a vessel nor a gun-boat at my disposal ; but the gun-boat " Opossum " is 
 daily expected at Shanghae and shall be sent to Hankow as soon after her arrival as 
 possible. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) A. HENEAGE. 
 
3 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No, 1. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Caine. 
 Sir, Peking, January 12, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to your despatch of December last and its inclosures, I will com- 
 municate with the Naval Commander-in-chief on the subject. I may observe, however, 
 that I do not consider it either necessary or possible for Her Majesty's Government to 
 provide a gun-boat to be permanently stationed at every port, or at any one of the fourteen 
 where Consular Establishments are maintained. 
 
 It should be possible, in ordinary circumstances, for Her Majesty's Consuls to 
 conduct the business of their respective Consulates without the material support which 
 might be afforded by the constant presence of a ship-of-war, otherwise there can be little 
 advantage in a Treaty of Amity and Commerce. As an appeal to force by a Consul at any 
 time could only be justified by some great emergency threatening danger to life and 
 property, and for their protection, it may fairly be assumed that such occasions are 
 exceptional and can only arise at long intervals. To meet such exceptional occasions it 
 cannot be necessary to attach to each port a ship-of-war. That a force shall be always in 
 the China Seas capable of affording effective aid whenever there should be necessity for an 
 appeal from the Consuls, is all that can be looked for under existing relations. 
 
 I observe that you refer to the difficulty of gun-boats steaming up the Yang-tsze 
 against a strong current as a reason for keeping one always on the spot. But at the same 
 time you indicate how this disadvantage might be met in any case of emergency by the 
 aid of one of the river steamers. If there were any obvious necessity, it is to be assumed 
 no hesitation would be felt by the Senior Naval Officer at Shanghae in adopting this 
 alternative. 
 
 In the particular instance to which you refer, the Senior Officer probably concluded 
 that the result of the operations in which he was engaged with the squadron under his 
 orders in the same river would be better calculated to afford efficient protection to British 
 interests at Hankow from such danger as the placards at Wuchang might create, than any 
 single vessel on the spot, even if one had been at his disposal ; and I should have agreed 
 with him. 
 
 With disturbances of a very serious nature at Formosa requiring the immediate 
 presence of more than one ship-of-w^ar, and the necessity of so distributing the force 
 available for all exigencies from Singapore to Hakodate, it is quite obvious such distribu- 
 tion must be made as will best cover the whole ground. The best mode of doing this can 
 only be determined by the Naval Commander-in-Chief, who alone knows what the means 
 at his disposal will enable him to effect. 
 
 For these reasons, among others, I cannot make any request for a vessel to be 
 permanently stationed at Hankow; but I will suggest that one, or if possible two, should 
 be stationed in the Tang-tsze to meet the demands of the three ports, making Hankow 
 the chief station, in view of the necessary delay in ascending the river against the 
 current. 
 
 I will only add that if the missionaries cannot carry on their labours at Wuchang 
 peaceably, and without an appeal to force for their protection, it seems very doubtful how 
 far Her Majesty's Government will hold themselves justified in resorting to measures of a 
 warlike character for their protection away from the ports. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in No. 1. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Peking, January 13, 1869. 
 
 MR. CAINE, Her Majesty's Consul at Hankow, has forwarded to me a correspond- 
 ence with the Senior Naval Officer at Shanghae, which no doubt is already in your hands, 
 respecting the permanent stationing of a vessel-of-war at his port. 
 
 I do not altogether agree with the Consul as to the necessity of the case, and doubt 
 the possibility of your meeting such demands. I have, therefore, written a despatch for 
 Mr. Caine's guidance, copy of which I beg to inclose. 
 
 That some danger existed at Wuchang of the same character as that lately incurred 
 by the missionaries at Yang-chow and from precisely similar causes. I have no doubt. 
 But, as you will see, I am not so clear as to the necessity for the missionaries fixing their 
 
quarters in places where so much enmity is shown as to expose them to imminent danger, 
 while it may entail upon Her Majesty's Government the obligation of adopting both 
 coercive and hostile measures for their protection or the redress of their grievances. The 
 inclosed copy of a despatch received some months ago from Lord Stanley is certainly 
 written in this sense. 
 
 In the meantime, to guard, as far as possible, against any disastrous consequences, 
 and serve as some check on the authorities so little disposed to prevent, if they do not 
 excite, popular outbreaks against the missionaries at the ports or in their vicinity, I should 
 be glad if it were in your power to station one, if not two, of Her Majesty's ships in the 
 Yang-tsze, so that both Chin-kiang and Hankow might seldom be without a gun- boat or 
 other ship so long as the turbulent spirit continues to be displayed, in order to secure to 
 the Consul such material support as the presence of a vessel would afford. 
 
 In order that Her Majesty's Government may be fully informed on all points con- 
 nected with these frequently-renewed missionary troubles and popular outbreaks, I purpose 
 forwarding a copy of the correspondence to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign 
 Affairs, that his Lordship may, if he see fit, send instructions as to the best mode of 
 dealing with existing difficulties. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 No. 2. 
 TTie Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, March 30, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 13th of January, inclosing copies of your 
 ccrrespoadencs with Her M.;j3yty'3 Consul at Hanliow and Vi:3-Aci;niral Sir Henry 
 Keppel, in regard to the suggestion of Mr. Consul Caine that one of Her Majesty's gun- 
 boats should be permanently stationed at Hankow ; and, in reply, I have to acquaint you 
 that Her Majesty's Government entirely approve the instructions you addressed to 
 Mr. Caine in answer to his application, as well as the letter you addressed to Sir H. Keppel 
 upon this subject, which are in accordance with the spirit of the different instructions 
 which have been recently sent to you from this office. 
 
 I have to add that I communicated your despatch to the Lords Commissioners of the 
 Admiralty, and their Lordships have informed me that, with reference to your letter of the 
 13th of January to Sir H. Keppel, they doubt the expediency of stationing two ships of 
 war in the Yang-tsze River, unless merely for a temporary purpose. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Mr. Murray to the Secretary to the Admiralty, 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, March ^\,\%&^. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you to be laid before the 
 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a copy of a despatch which his Lordship has 
 addressed to Her Majesty's Minister in China,* in regard to a suggestion made by Her 
 Majesty's Consul at Hankow, that one of Her Majesty's gun-boats should be permanently 
 stationed at that port. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed; JAMES MURRAY. 
 
 * No. 2. 
 
No. 4. 
 
 Mr. Otway to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 5, 1869. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you to be laid before the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty, and with reference to Mr. Hammond's letter of the 3 1st 
 ultimo, a copy of Sir H. Alcock's despatch relative to Mr. Consul Caine's application for a 
 gun-boat to be stationed at Hankow.* 
 
 • I am, &c. 
 
 (Signed) A. OTWAY. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Otway. — {Received April 12.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, April 10, 1869- 
 
 I HAVE laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your letter of the 
 5th instant, transmitting copies of a correspondence which has taken place between Sir 
 Rutherford Alcock, Her Majesty's Consul at Hankow and the Senior Officer at Shanghae, 
 relative to an application from the Consul for a gun-boat to be stationed at Hankow. 
 
 With reference to the suggestion made by Sir Rutherford Alcock that two vessels of 
 war should be stationed in the Yang-tsze River, I am commanded by my Lords to acquaint 
 you, for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, that they doubt the expediency of taking 
 such a step, except for a temporary purpose. 
 
 I am, &Ci 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 19, 1869. 
 
 IT was a great relief to Her Majesty's Government to receive on the 31st of March 
 your telegram sent from Kiachta on the previous day, announcing that the accounts 
 received by you from all the ports showed that peace and order had been restored ; that at 
 Yang-chow-foo and Swatow, and in Formosa, entire security and an improved position 
 had been obtained ; that there was no more cause for anxiety at any point ; that the best 
 understanding existed with the foreign body at Peking ; and that the relations with China 
 had never been more satisfactory. 
 
 The injudicious proceedings of missionaries in China, the violence engendered by them 
 on the part of the Chinese authorities and people, and the excessive and unauthorized acts 
 of retaliation to which British Consular and, at their requisition, the naval authorities had 
 resorted, were indeed sufficient to cause Her Majesty's Government to look forward with 
 apprehension to the intelligence which each succeeding mail might bring. 
 
 The various instructions which 1 have addressed to you on these matters will show 
 you in how serious a light such transactions were looked upon by Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment, and the account that you will have read in the public papers of the debates in 
 Parliament will leave no doubt on your mind, and it is to be hoped on the minds of all 
 British subjects in China, whether in the public service or in a private capacity, that it is 
 the intention and desire of this country that the intercourse with China should be maintained 
 by friendly means, and should not be subject to interruption by injudicious and rash 
 proceedings on the part of British subjects. 
 
 You have, as the Delegate of Her Majesty's Government, full power and authority to 
 control the conduct of Consular Officers ; the Board of Admiralty will take care that the 
 policy of Her Majesty's Government shall not be thwarted or overborne by excessive zeal 
 on the part of Her Majesty's navy ; and if the powers which you possess under Order in 
 Council for the maintenance of peace, order, and good government among British 
 subjects resident in or resorting to China, and for the enforcement upon them of the 
 observance of the stipulations of Treaties and of rules and regulations made in that behalf, 
 and for the maiutenance of friendly relations between British subjects and Chinese autho- 
 rities and subjects, are insufficient for that purpose, Her Majesty's Government will at 
 any time be ready to consider any representations that you may make as to the inadequacy 
 of your powers, with a view of enlarging them to the full extent admitted by law. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 * No. 1, 
 
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CHINA. No. 9 (1869). 
 
 PAPEES 
 
 RESPECTING THE 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF HER MAJESTY'S SHIP 
 
 it 
 
 JANUS " 
 
 
 AT 
 
 SHAEP PEAK ISLAND, 
 
 NEAR 
 
 FOO-CHOW-FOO. 
 
 Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 
 
 1869. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PKIKTED BT HARItlSON AND SONS. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 No. 
 
 
 Date. 
 
 1. Admiralty 
 
 • ■ 
 
 Apr. 21, 1869 
 
 2. To Admiralty . 
 
 ■ ■ 
 
 , 23, 
 
 3, To Sir R. Alcock 
 
 •■• 
 
 23, 
 
 Subject. Page 
 
 Proceedings of Her Majesty's ship " Janus " at Sharp 
 Peak Island. What is Lord Clarendon's opinion as to 
 conduct of Consul Sinclair ? 
 
 Disappmoving Consul Sinclair's conduct. Sir R. Alcock 
 will be instructed strongly to censure him . . . . 4 
 
 To censure Mr. Sinclair . . . . . . . , 4 
 
Papers respecting the Proceedings of Her Majesty's Ship 
 "Janus " at Sharp Peak Island, near Foo-chow-foo. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 The Secretaryfto^the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — (Received April 22.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, April 21, 1869. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit to you,., 
 for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, a copy of a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir 
 H. Keppel, dated the 23rd of February, and of its inclosure, from Lieutenant Keppel, 
 commanding Her Majesty's ship " Janus/' reporting his proceedings at Sharp Peak 
 Island, River Min, and I am to request you will move his Lordship to inform my 
 Lords what opinion be has arrived at as to the conduct of Her Majesty's Consul Sinclair 
 in calling for the interference of Lieutenant Keppel. 
 
 With reference to the ready compliance of Lieutenant Keppel with the Consul's 
 requisition, my Lords bope that the instructions recently sent out, will have a satisfactory 
 effect in checking such proceedings. 
 
 It is presumed that the other inclosures to Sir H. Keppel's letter have already been 
 received at the Foreign Office. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 1 . 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis," at Shanghae, February 23, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of 
 the Admiralty, the copies of letters referring to the recent proceedings of Lieutenant. 
 Leicester C. Keppel, of Her Majeaty's gun-boat "Janus," at Sharp Peak Island^, 
 River Min. 
 
 2. The Rev. Mr. Wolfe, a missionary at Foo-chow, having obtained the title deeds of 
 land at Sharp Peak Island, the natives would not permit the workmen to proceed with a; 
 building Mr. Wolfe intended to construct. 
 
 3. Mr. Consul Sinclair, in the requisition of which a copy is inclosed, requests 
 Lieutenant Keppel to proceed to the neighbourhood and settle existing difficulties ; after 
 describing the chief instigator of these disturbances as one Wang-yew- chow, the Consul 
 states that Mr. Wolfe will be able to point out the exact abode of this "meddlesome 
 man," further recommending that a large force of cutlass-men should be landed in^ 
 preference to the use of fire-arms. 
 
 4. Lieutenant Keppel proceeding to the house of Wang-yew-chow, threatened to pull 
 it down should he not agree to the terms proposed. The result was a bond for future 
 good behaviour, of which a copy is annexed, and also the accompanying copies of 
 Mr. Sinclair's letters of approval. 
 
 5. Lieutenant Keppel appears to have cordially carried out the Consul's views in the 
 matter, but in acquainting Her Majesty's Minister with these proceedings I have expressed 
 an opinion that the action prompted by the Consul more properly devolved on the Chinese 
 authorities, who were certainly fully competent to support their authority on a small island 
 
 [218] B 2 
 
backed by tbe ample force at their command at Foo-chow; in fact, it appears by the 
 Consul's letter that the Viceroy of the Province had made the necessary arrangements to 
 adjust the matter at issue ; the interference of the " Janus " would, therefore, appear to 
 have been unnecessary. 
 
 T Viflvp &o 
 (Signed) ' HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Tnclosure 2 in No. 1. 
 Lieutenant and Commander Keppel to Commodore Jones. 
 
 Sir, "Janus," Pagoda anchorage, Foo-chow, January 22, 1869. 
 
 HAVING received a communication from Mr. Charles Sinclair, Her Majesty's 
 Consul at Foo-chow-foo, requesting me to give protection to the Rev. Mr. Wolfe, a 
 missionary of this place, who had purchased a piece of land at Sharp Peak Island, on 
 which to build a sanitarium for the mission ; — a powerful gentleman by the name of 
 Wang-yew-chow, residing at a place called Ting-tow, a village containing 9,000 inhabitants, 
 had called on sixteen other village^, ordering them to drive all foreigners from oflf the 
 lands, and had issued an edict to that effect, as they feared that foreigners would get too 
 powerful a footing, and therefore monopohze all commerce coming to Foo-chow ; — 
 
 I therefore proceeded to Sharp Eeak Island on the i6th instant, with the 
 Rev. Mr. Wolfe on board ; and on our arrival landed accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Wolfe, 
 Mr. Stocker, navigating sub-lieutenant, Mr. Skeen, engineer, and Mr. Dyer, gunner ; we 
 proceeded to the proposed site for the sanitarium, and discovered that the instruments and 
 money belonging to the workmen had been taken, and that the workmen had been beaten. 
 On our return, when inside the village, a large mob of about 600 people gathered round 
 us, and the principal offender being pointed out to us, we endeavoured to capture him, 
 when they attacked us, and as a last resource we were compelled to fire a few pistol-shots 
 at the ringleaders ; being almost dark at the time, we retreated to the house-boat. 
 
 The next day I landed with an armed force, and the villagers delivering up the 
 instruments and money taken from the workmen and apologizing for the late outrage, and 
 informing us that the men who attacked us came from other villages, and were sent for 
 the purpose, I did not molest the place ; and informed Mr. Sinclair of our proceedings, 
 and requested a Mandarin to be sent to act with me. Mr. Sinclair had intended coming 
 himself, but the late severe weather prevented him. I therefore on the 19th instant 
 proceeded to Ting-tow, and there landed the small-arm men, and, accompanied by the 
 Rev. Mr. Wolfe, marched to the residence of the chief instigator, Wang-yew-chow, 
 whose residence is situated about a mile from the landing-place, and on our arrival 
 I demanded an interview, which they endeavoured to evade by stating (through a servant) 
 that Wang-yew-chow was absent at Foo-chow ; but feeling convinced that such was not 
 the case, after waiting a considerable time, we forced an entrance through the back, but 
 all doors being closed deemed it advisable to force the main entrance, which was done. 
 The natives seeing that it was of no use trying to oppose us, one of the elders agreed to 
 convey the terms drawn up by Rev. Mr. Wolfe and myself to Wang-yew-chow, and 
 also my intention of destroying his premises should he not agree to the terms proposed 
 therein. At first there were no signs of their agreeing to the demands; I therefore 
 ordered everything to be got ready for destroying the house, at which the terms were 
 signed and witnessed by three of the elders. 
 
 I am confident that unless we had used the measures stated, they would have put off 
 from time to time anything decided, and eventually even stricter measures would have had 
 to be resorted to. 
 
 I inclose copy of a bond to keep the peace, and also copies of letters received from 
 Mr. Sinclair, Her Majesty's Consul, in which he has most cordially acknowledged the 
 services I have rendered. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) LEICESTER C. KEPPEL. 
 
Inclosure 3 in No. 1 . 
 Consul Sinclair to Lieutenant and Commander Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Foo-chow-foo, January 19, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to reply to your despatch, dated the 15th instant, which 
 reached me on Sunday morning, the 17th of the month. 
 
 In the first place, I have to thank you for the assistance which, at my request, you 
 have already rendered to Rev. Mr. "Wolfe in his difficulties, which he has detailed to me. 
 
 I have already acquainted you, in my private note yesterday from the Pagoda 
 anchorage, how it happened that the boatmen feared to take me on to Sharp Peak, in the 
 gale that was blowing, on account of the danger they seemed to think the boat would 
 incur against a head-wind and high waves ; otherwise I had started with the intention of 
 joining you at Sharp Peak, and aiding with my advice in the conduct of the affair in 
 question. 
 
 I am, however, glad to say, that on the Saturday previous, the Prefect of Foo-chow- 
 foo, and another officer had, by orders of the Viceroy, proceeded to Sharp Peak Island, for 
 the purpose of quelling any disturbance that might arise on the part of the villages. 
 
 Should you require any farther assistance, I trust that you will acquaint me with your 
 wishes. 
 
 It seems to me, that the opposition of the people on Sharp Peak Island, will not be 
 withdrawn until some measures are devised to bring the chief instigator, by name Wang- 
 yew-chow, in the Ting- tow village (just below Mingan, and on the same side), to relent 
 in his unreasonable conduct and injurious interference. The Rev. Mr. Wolfe, who has, 
 at my suggestion, made every inquiry as to the exact abode of this meddlesome man, will 
 doubtless by this time be able to point it out to you. 
 
 I need scarcely recommend to you great caution in the use of firearms in dealing with 
 the natives ; while I would advise the landing of a large force of cutlass-men, which alone 
 will be sufficient to intimidate and control the mob of villagers, should you determine on 
 landing at the Ting-tow village for holding a parley with the village elder, Wang-yew-chow 
 (above named), who is exercising pernicious influence over these ignorant villagers. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) CHAS. A. SINCLAIR. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 1 . 
 
 Bond to keep the Peace. 
 (Translation.) 
 
 WHEREAS the British missionary, Mr. Wolfe, has purchased at Chanushi Hill* a 
 piece of ground 100 feet broad and about 100 feet wide, the title-deeds of which have 
 already paid tax and been stamped without the least discussion on the part of the Chanushi 
 villages, and whereas, in the 6th moon, the Undersigned issued notifications exciting every 
 village to uncompromising hostility, to the violation of the provisions of the Treaty, and 
 against the principles of rectitude, whilst Mr. Wolfe's intention in coming to erect a house 
 was to seek a place of coolness, and without any other end in view, if his masons and 
 carpenters hereafter proceed on his instructions, and within the limits of his territory, to 
 erect his house, the people will not be allowed to tread in the old ruts of opposition, and 
 the Undersigned guarantees that they will not make trouble. If the village on either the 
 right or the left bank of the river hereafter excite disturbance by pulling down the premises 
 or doing other mischief, the Undersigned will pay the sum of 10,000 dollars. This agree- 
 ment he makes in good faith and of his own accord, that all troubles will hereafter be his 
 affair. He will this day issue another notice instructing everyone to mind his own 
 business, and hereafter, whether it be Mr. Wolfe's or any other person who seeks a 
 summer residence here, all must remain friendly and not make any discussion ; in proof 
 whereof he makes this agreement. 
 
 (Signed) WANG- YEW-CHOW. 
 
 (Seal.) 
 CHANG-NINGCHU. 
 TUNG-HANG-TING. 
 Witness : 
 (Signed) Wang-hang-chi. 
 
 * Sharp Peak Island. 
 
Inclosure 5 ia No. 1. 
 O&mul Sinclair to lAeutenant and Commander Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Foo-chow-foo, January 21, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 20th instant, in which you are good enough 
 to detail for my information, your successful proceedings at Pingtow village on the 19th of 
 this month. 
 
 It is most gratifying to me to be able to express my sense of your admirable conduct 
 of the business entrusted to your charge, through which the object we had in view has 
 been entirely gained, of bringing the riotous villagers to their senses. 
 
 I beg leave to inclose translation of the bond of Wang-yew-chow, of the Pingtow 
 village. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) CHAS. A. SINCLAIR. 
 
 liJ'o.2. 
 Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 23, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE laid before the Earl of Clarendon your letter of the 21st instant, inclosing 
 correspondence respecting certainproceedino;sof Her Majesty's Consular and Naval Officers 
 in support of the claim of the Rev. Mr. Wolfe, a missionary, to a piece of land purchased 
 by him for the use of the mission at Sharp Peak Island, near Foo-chow-foo. 
 
 The papers contained in your letter supply the only information that has reached Lord 
 Clarendon on the subject, but they are sufficient to enable him to judge the Consul's 
 proceedings ; and I am to request that you will acquaint the Lords Com.missioners of the 
 Admiralty that Sir Rutherford Alcock will be informed that they are entirelj' disapproved, 
 except in so far as his application to the local authorities. Those authorities, it appears by 
 the Consul's letter to Lieutenant Keppel of the 1 9th of January, were perfectly ready to 
 obtain redress for the missionary, and it was inexcusable precipitancy on the part of the 
 Consul not to await the result of the course which, on his representation, they might take; 
 and even if that had been unsatisfactory, the case was not one calling for forcible interpo- 
 sition on the part of the Consul, or of the naval officer whom he instigated to apply it, 
 without previous reference to Peking. 
 
 The Consul's measures had a direct tendency to provoke, without sufficient cause, 
 collision with the Chinese authorities and people, and Sir R. Alcock will be instructed 
 strongly to censure him for what he did, and to caution him to be more circumspect for 
 the future. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
 No. 3. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 23, 1869. 
 
 HER Majesty's Government have received from Yice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel copies 
 of a correspondence respecting certain proceedings of Her Majesty's Consular and Naval 
 Officers in support of the claim of the Rev. Mr. Wolfe, a missionary, to a piece of land 
 purchased by him for the use of the mission at Sharp Peak Island, near Foo-chow-foo. 
 
 The papers forwarded by Sir H. Keppel supply the only information that has reached 
 Her Majesty's Government on the subject ; but they are sufficient to enable them to judge 
 of the Consul's proceedings, which, I have to inform you, are entirely disapproved, except 
 in so far as relates to his application to the local authorities. 
 
 Those authorities, it appears by Consul Sinclair's letter to Lieutenant Keppel of the 
 19th of January, were perfectly ready to obtain redress for the missionary, and it was 
 inexcusable precipitancy on the part of Consul Sinclair not to await the result of the 
 course which, on his representation, they might take ; and, even if that had been 
 
unsatisfactory, the case was not one calling for forcible interposition on the part of the 
 Consul, or of the naval ofl&cer whom he instigated to apply it, without previous reference 
 to Peking. 
 
 The Consul's measures had a direct tendency to provoke, without suflScient cause, 
 collision with the Chinese authorities and people ; and I have to instruct you strongly to 
 censure Mr. Sinclair for what he did, and to caution him to be more circumspect for the 
 future. 
 
 I am, Sco. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
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CHINA. Ko. 10 (1869). 
 
 rURTHER CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 KESPECTING THE 
 
 ATTACK 
 
 ON 
 
 BRITISH PROTESTANT MISSIONARIES 
 
 AT 
 
 TANG-CHOW-FOO, AUGUST 1868. 
 
 Presented to hoih Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, 
 
 1SG9. 
 
 LONDOJNT: 
 PRINTED BY HARBISON AND SONS. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 No. 
 
 1. To Sir A. Alcock 
 
 2. Sir R. Alcock 
 
 3. Admiralty . . 
 
 4. To Admiralty 
 
 5. Admiralty .. 
 
 6. Sir R. Alcock 
 
 7. To Admiralty 
 
 8. Memorandum by the 
 
 London Missionary 
 Society 
 
 9. Consul Medhurst 
 
 10. 
 
 11. Sir R. Alcock 
 
 12. 
 
 13. To Sir R.'Alcock 
 
 Date. 
 Feb. 11, 1869 
 
 Dec. 11, 1868 
 
 Feb. 22, 1869 
 
 25, 
 
 24, 
 Dec. 14, 1868 
 
 Mar. 2, 1869 
 11, 
 
 Jan. 27, 
 
 Feb. 25, 
 
 4, 
 
 11, 
 
 Apr. 26, 
 
 Subject. 
 
 Missionary privileo'es in China. Copy of correspondence 
 with London Missionary Society 
 
 Yang-chow and Huai-kuan barrier disturbances. Copy of 
 instructions to Consul Medhurst with regard to pro- 
 ceedings to obtain redress . . . . , 
 
 Yang-chow outrage. Report from Sir H. Keppel relative 
 to the progress of negotiations for the settlement of 
 demands . . . . . , . . . . 
 
 Acknowledging above. Conclude that the views of Her 
 Majesty's Government will have been communicated to 
 Sir H. Keppel . 
 
 Final settlement of all demands. Report from Sir H. Kep- 
 
 P^i- •• ■• •• •■ •• ■■ 
 
 Yang-chow affair. Satisfactory termination of. Efficient 
 
 support rendered by Captain Heneage and his party. 
 
 Despatches from Consul Medhurst . 
 Sends copy of above, and calls attention to the conduct of 
 
 Captain Heneage and his party 
 Observations on the Duke of Somerset's remarks respecting 
 
 the proceedings of missionaries at Yang-chow . 
 
 Progress of negotiations 
 
 Alcock ,, 
 
 Mr. Stronach's visit to Yang-chow. 
 
 Alcock 
 Yang-chow affair. Correspondence with 
 
 Letter from Mr. Taylor . . 
 Copy of further instructions to Consul Medhurst 
 Acknowledging despatch of February 4. Refers to Lord 
 
 Clarendon's despatch of January 14, for opinion of Her 
 
 Majesty's Government on the Yang-chow affair 
 
 Copy of despatch to Sir R. 
 Despatch to Sir R. 
 Prince Kung. 
 
 Page 
 1 
 
 I 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 9 
 10 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 12 
 17 
 
 18 
 
Further Correspondence respecting the Attack on British 
 Protestant Missionaries at Yang-chow-foo, August 1868. 
 
 No. ]. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, February 11, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to my despatch of the 15th ultimo, I transmit to you herewith, 
 for your information, an extract of a letter from the London Missionary Society respecting 
 missionary privileges in China, together with a copy of the reply which I have paused to be 
 returned thereto.* 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — {Received February 21, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, December 11, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a despatch addressed to Mr. Consul Medhurst 
 respecting the proceedings taken under my instructions at Yang-chow-foo, for the redress 
 of the injuries inflicted on British subjects both at that place, the barrier above, and at 
 Chin-kiang. Copies of Mr. Medhurst's despatches to me have already been forwarded, I 
 understand, direct to the Foreign Office. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure in ISo. 2. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 Sir, Peking, December 11, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatches of the 20th and 21st of November, with their 
 inclosures, and learn with great satisfaction that you have been enabled to carry out 
 my instructions respecting the Yang-chow outrage, and the exactions at the Huai-kuan 
 barrier. 
 
 With reference to the reparation made to the missionaries, it seems complete, so far 
 as their losses and expenses are concerned ; but now that the medical certificate is before 
 me, I see that three of the party, Mr. Taylor, Miss Blatchley, and Mr. Rudland, have 
 suffered permanent and serious injury. Money, unfortunately, can afford no adequate 
 compensation for injuries which cause permanent and disabling effects ; but the sufferers 
 are entitled to liberal consideration of the disabilities so contracted. I do not think 500 
 taels at all adequate, therefore, from this point of view, and have to instruct you to make 
 a demand of 2,000 taels, to be equally divided among the three already named ; and I 
 trust, according to the distinct understanding on this head with the Commissioner and 
 Viceroy, that you will have no difficulty in securing the prompt payment of the balance of 
 1,500 taels. You will take care to make it distinctly understood that this increased demand 
 
 * See « China No. 2 (1869)," Nos. 25 and 26. 
 [224] B 2 
 
is the consequence of undoubted evidence that each ot these individuals has suffered in a 
 way to entail permanent injury, tending to impair health and usefulness for the rest of their 
 lives. 
 
 On one other point the result appears to leave something to regret. The literary 
 graduate signalized by name by Messrs, Taylor, Duncan, &c., in their deposition before 
 you, and described as' having appeared before the house creating a disturbance, and to 
 Mr. Taylor's face charging him with scooping out people's eyes and other atrocities, — 
 described, too, as a man well known to the Tepao of the district, — should at least have been 
 traced and confronted with Mr. Taylor, to whom he must have been known by sight, having 
 reviled him in open day. 
 
 I am at a loss to know what Mr. Taylor means when he says in his letter to you of 
 the 19th of November, "that there was no tangible evidence against the belted gentry." 
 Was there not his own direct evidence against this one of their number, ready to be 
 produced on oath and in open court 1 Chinese evidence, of course, in such a case, could 
 never have been counted upon. Nor do I gather from your despatch of the 2nd whether 
 any or what efforts were made to produce the accused and confront him with his accuser. 
 To have secured the conviction of one of these gentrj^, if what Mr. Taylor alleges has any 
 foundation in fact, that they were the real instigators of the whole disturbance, would have 
 been more effective as a deterrent probably than all the other measures put together. As 
 you yourself most probably shared this conviction, I conclude there must be some explana- 
 tion more than you have yet given to account for total failure in this particular. 
 
 With reference to the settlement effected in the case of exactions at Huai-kuan 
 barriers, I consider you exercised good judgment in not refusing to receive the compensa- 
 tion offered by Ying Taoutae, although it might, in some respects, have been more 
 satisfactory had it been possible to exact redress on the spot Under the circumstances, 
 as detailed in your despatch, and the practical difficulties in the way of any navigation of 
 the canal by the gun-boats to the baiTiers, however, 1 entirely approve the course adopted, 
 as offering the best solution attainable. As to the punishment of the subordinates engaged 
 in the affair, you were right still to insist on their punishment, and I will take steps here 
 to press the investigation of the late Superintendent's conduct ; I undersland he is in 
 Peking at this time. I will not fail also to bring under the favourable notice of the 
 Prince of Kung, as you desire, the assistance rendered by his Excellency Ying, the 
 Taoutae, in arriving at a prompt and satisfactory settlement. 
 
 You have not made any reference to the difficulties at Chin-kiang, both as regarded 
 the outbreak against the missionaries, the distribution of inflammatory placards, and 
 interference with the sale of opium by foreigners. 1 shall wait anxiously to hear that, 
 before you left the vicinity, and while you had the support of the squadron, you were 
 enabled to place all these matters on a proper footing;; and, with that, I shall, no doubt, 
 receive such reports from you of effective assistance from the Senior Naval Officer as will 
 enable me to express my thanks, and bring the services rendered, together with your own 
 exertions, under the notice of Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign 
 Affairs. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — [Received February 23.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, February 22, 1869. 
 
 I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, 
 for the information of the Earl of Clarendon, a duplicate of a letter from Vice-Adrairal 
 Sir H. Keppel, dated the 10th December, together with its inclosures, relative to the 
 settlement of the claims made on the Viceroy at Nanking in reference to outrages on 
 British subjects at Yang-chow. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
3 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 3. 
 
 • Vice-Admiral Sir H. Kevpel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, " Salamis,'" at Singapore, December 10, 1868. 
 
 IN my letter of the 5th November I had the honour to acquaint their Lordships with 
 the particulars of outrages committed on British subjects at Yang-chow and Chin-kiang, 
 and the consequent dispatch of Her Majesty's ship " Rodney," accompanied by the 
 "Rinaldo," "Icarus," and " Slaney " to Nanking, with a view to affording a moral 
 support to Mr. Consul Medhurst in the demands he was instructed to make on the 
 Viceroy for redress. 
 
 2. In the concluding portion of that letter I expressed an opinion that the authorities 
 at Nanking, seeing we were in earnest, would at once concede on the appearance of such 
 an unusual force as had been dispatched to their neighbourhood. 
 
 3. By the inclosed copy of a letter from Captain Heneage, their Lordships will 
 observe that these anticipations have been fully realized. 
 
 4. As it was apparent that the Viceroy Tseng Kuo-fan rested his faith on diplomatic 
 fencing to clear himself of the difficulty in which he was involved, it became indispensable 
 to obtain a material guarantee for the full fulfilment of the demands detailed in Mr. Consul 
 Medhurst's letter to the Viceroy, of which a copy is inclosed. 
 
 5. Captain Heneage, acting in concurrence with Her Majesty's Consul, demanded that 
 the Chinese gun-boat "Tien-chi " should be handed over with this object. The effect of 
 this step was immediate. The Viceroy Tseng Kwo-fan gave his entire and unqualified 
 assent to all the demands Mr. Medhurst had previously made. The wisdom of this 
 prompt act of Captain Heneage is proved by the result, and meets with my full approval. 
 
 6. Tseng Kwo-fan has been superseded as Viceroy at Nanking ; and his Excellency 
 the Viceroy Ma, who succeeds him, appears disposed to fully allow our Treaty rights. 
 
 7. Mr. Consul Medhurst, accompanied by the "Slaney " and " Dove," will proceed tO' 
 Yang-chow in order to see that his demands are all strictly enforced ; in the meantime, 
 the " Tien-chi " will be retained as a guarantee. 
 
 8. The judgment which marked the prompt action of Captain Heneage during these 
 difficulties will, I trust, meet with some mark of their Lordship's approval. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 3. 
 
 Captain Heneage to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 "Rodney" Yang-tsze-kiang, off the Grand Canal, 
 Sir, November 13, 1868. 
 
 IN accordance with my intention as expressed in letter of the 27th ultimo, on the 
 2nd instant, I had made every arrangement for proceeding in company with Her Majesty's 
 ships *' Rinaldo " and " Slaney," up the Yang-tsze-kiang, for the purpose of affording 
 Her Majesty's Consul efficient support in obtaining proper redress for the outrage 
 committed upon British missionaries in August last. 
 
 2. About noon. Her Majesty's ship "Icarus*' arrived at Woo-sung, and, deeming it 
 advisable to detain her until the duty I was about to commence should be completed, 
 I ordered her to proceed to Shanghae, complete with coal, &c., and join my pennant up 
 the Yang-tsze. 
 
 3. I left Woo-sung with Her Majesty's ships under my orders about 1-30 p.m. the 
 same day; and the "Icarus" joined me on the morning of the 5th. We arrived and 
 anchored off Chin-kiang on the evening of the 6th, where I found the " Dove," 
 
 4. On the 8th I left the "Dove" at Chin-kiang, for the purpose of sounding the 
 Grand Canal, with the view of taking the " Slaney " and " Dove " off the city of 
 Yang-chow on my return, and proceeded with Mr. Consul Medhurst on to Nanking, where 
 I arrived the same day with Her Majesty's ships under my command, and found there the 
 Chinese ship-of-war "Tien-chi," a handsome new paddle-wheel steamer. 
 
 5. With the object of having in our hands a guarantee for the proper adjustment of 
 the negotiations, and the fulfilment of the Viceroy's pledges, should he engage to comply 
 with the demands made upon him by Mr. Medhurst in his letter of the 6th instant, 1 
 deemed it advisable to send an officer on board with a letter addressed to the Commanding 
 Officer, directing him not to attempt to move his vessel from the anchorage she then 
 
occupied ; at the same time informing him that forcible measures would be taken to detain 
 her should he attempt to leave. I may add, that Her Majesty's Consul concurred in my 
 action in this matter. 
 
 6. The Commander of the " Tien-chi" having reported what had happened, returned 
 about 11p.m., bringing with him an oflGcial despatch from the Viceroy, in which his 
 Excellency pledged himself to accede to all the Consul's terms, which he now admitted just 
 and reasonable. 
 
 7. On the 9th, I, in company with Mr. Medhurst, and attended by a guard of 
 Marines, waited on Tseng Kwo-fau, who was supported by Ting Futai of Kiangsu. Both 
 the Viceroy and Ting were induced to promise that a Proclamation should he issued under 
 their seals, detailing the circumstances under which the Yang-chow outrage had been 
 committed, and the manner in which redress had been granted with reference to the 
 subject of a material guarantee being given for the proper fulfilment of their pledges. 
 Ting strongly opposed any such proceeding, and finally refused to grant the request. On 
 taking leave, I intimated that 1 should take charge of the "Tien-chi," unless an order 
 uuder the Viceroy's seal for the temporary transfer of the vessel were received on board the 
 " Rodney " by 5 p.m. that day. I need scarcely add, that at the hour named the requisite 
 order was received. 
 
 8. We then called on Ma, the mandarin appointed to succeed Tseng Kwo-fan- as 
 Viceroy, &c., who received us courteously, and, on the 12th, his Excellency, who had in 
 the meantime superseded Tseng Kwo-fan, paid an official visit to the " Rodney," and on 
 leaving he was saluted with nineteen guns. 
 
 9. Two mandarins of high rank, the late Commissioner of the province of Kiangsu 
 and the Taoutae of Shanghae, having been appointed to hold a formal inquiry at Yang- 
 chow, in conjunction with Mr. Medhurst and myself, as demanded in paragraph 4 of 
 inclosure, Her Majesty's ships under my command, with the "Tien-chi" under escort, 
 left Nanking on the 13th, and anchored in line of battle off the Grand Canal. 
 
 10. In thus diverting Her Majesty's ships " Rinaldo," "Icarus," and "Slaney " from 
 carrying out their respective orders, I have acted on the conviction that a large demon- 
 stration of force was absolutely necessary to secure success to the Mission, and I am 
 happy to be able to state that the ready compliance which our demands have met with up 
 to the present date is doubtless in a great measure attributable to the presence of so many 
 ships of war off Nanking. 
 
 11. I now anticipate an early settlement of the difficulties, and I shall make it my 
 duty to dispatch the various ships in execution of their respective orders as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 1 2. I have addressed an official letter to Commodore Jones, informing him that I 
 shall probably be enabled to dispatch the " Rinaldo " and " Slaney " about the latter part 
 of this month. 
 
 13. From Hankow I have received from Mr. Consul Caine a despatch stating that 
 affairs at that port are in rather a disturbed state, that the missionaries are being stoned, 
 i.nd that the presence of a ship-of-war was urgently required. In reply I informed him 
 that I was then unable to send any ship to Hankow, but that Her Majesty's gun-boat 
 " Opossum " was daily expected at Shanghae, and should be sent on as soon after her 
 arrival as possible. 
 
 14. Her Majesty's ship " Zebra " arrived at Shanghae on the 7th instant, and I 
 directed Commander TroUope to join me at Nanking with Her Majesty's ship under his 
 
 command. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) A. HENEAGE. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 3. 
 Consul Medhurst to the Viceroy Tseng Kwo-fan. 
 
 Sir, - " Rodney," November 6, 1868. 
 
 ON the 31st ultimo I had the honour to inform your Excellency that I was on the 
 point of proceeding for the second time to Nanking, charged with special instructions 
 from Her Majesty's Minister in reference to the treatment of the Yang-chow difficulty. 
 
 2. I have now to acquaint you that I have arrived off your city, in company with 
 Captain Heneage, commanding Her Majesty's ship " Rodney " and other vessels of war, 
 and that we propose to wait upon your Excellency with a suitable number of officers at 
 1 o'clock on the 9th instant. 
 
S. In order to save both your Excellency and myself any useless discussion, I beg to 
 lay before you in writing the propositions which I contemplate presenting for your 
 acceptance. 
 
 4. In the first place I propose to request you to appoint an officer of suitable rank, 
 as promised by his Highness Prince Kung to Her Ma,jesty's Minister, to proceed in my 
 company to Yang-chow, and there to hold, in concert with myself, a formal Court of 
 Inquiry into the charges which 1 have made against the ofRoial authorities and gentry of 
 Yang-chow, of having aided and abetted in the outrage committed upon the missionaries 
 in August last. I shall expect that the officer so appointed will have authority to summon 
 before him, and if necessary detain for further trial and punishment any person, whether 
 a member of the literary class or commoner, whom circamstances may render it expedient 
 to examine publicly before the Court. 
 
 5. In the second place [ desire to procure from your Excellency an admission of the 
 justice of the demands which I have advanced in my several letters to the authorities of 
 Yang-chow and yourself, as well as a distinct pledge under the Viceroy's seal that, 
 instructions shall be given to the proper authorities to see them all carried into effect 
 forthwith. 
 
 6. As regards the amount of compensation which I have to require for the personal' 
 injuries sustained, I am instructed by Her Majesty's Minister that save where any 
 permanent hurt can be '^hown to have been sustained by any of the missionary party, I 
 am not to claim for anything beyond actual losses and expenses incurred, but I am 
 authorized to see that proper indemnification is granted to the native proprietors of the 
 mission premises or any other natives connected with their mission who may have suffered 
 in person or property by the violence of the mob, or the unjustifiable action of the 
 authorities. This is a point which I have yet to decide after further investigation, the 
 result of which shall be duly communicated to you. 1 need scarcely add that it is 
 essential that the above-mentioned concession on your Excellency's part should be made 
 before I can consent to proceed with the proposed inquiry at Yang-chow. 
 
 7. I propose further to claim your attention to questions pending in connection with 
 Chin-kiang and the Haikwan barriers. At the former place the missionary Taylor 
 continues to experience obstructions in the way of a peaceful occupation of the premises' 
 which have been let to him in the city of Hsia In-chih, and I have to lodge a most serious 
 complaint against the Superintendent of Inland Customs at the last named locality for 
 having more than once vexatiously and illegally detained property belonging to a British 
 subject whilst being conveyed under transit pass and certificate, and for having tortured 
 and punished the native servants in charge. 
 
 8. The above constitute .the principal questions which I propose submitting to your 
 Excellency's notice; and I have to request that you will be prepared with positive replies 
 in reference to each one, so that any further misapprehension or delay may be obviated. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, February 25, j869. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
 of the 22nd instant, inclosing a duplicate of a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Henry 
 Keppel, relative to the settlement of the claims made on the Viceroy at Nanking with 
 reference to the outrages committed on British subjects at Yang-chow-foo ; and, in reply, I 
 am to state to you that Lord Clarendon concludes that Sir H. Keppel will have been put 
 in possession of the views of Her Majesty's Government on this matter as expressed in 
 the despatch to SirR. Alcock,"'^ a copy of which was transmitted to the Board of Admiralty 
 in my letter of the 28th ultimo. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
 * See "China Papers^ No. 2 (1869)," Nq. ^4. 
 
Eo. 5. 
 
 The Secretary to the Admiralty to Mr. Hammond. — (Received February 25.) 
 
 Sir, Admiralty, February 24, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to former correspondence, I am commanded by my Lord Commis- 
 sioners of the Admiralty to transmit herewith, for the information of the Earl of Clai'endon, 
 a copy of a letter from Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel, dated the 4th January, with its 
 inclosure in original, reporting the final settlement of the demands made on the Viceroy 
 at Nanking for redress on account of the outrages committed on British missionaries at 
 Yang-chow. 
 
 The inclosures to Sir Henry Keppel's letter being sent in original, it is requested they 
 may be returned when done with. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. ROMAINE. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 5. 
 
 Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 .Sir, " Princess Charlotte,^' Hong Kong, January 4, 1869. 
 
 IN mv letter of the 13th December, I had the honour ot informing their Lordships 
 that the Viceroy of Nanking, Tseng Kwo-fan, had given his unqualified assent to the 
 demands of Mr. Consul Med hurst for redress in reference to the outrages committed on 
 British missionaries at Yang-chow, and that it was the intention of tne Consul to proceed 
 to that town accompanied with a naval force to see that his demands were strictly 
 enforced. 
 
 2. I have now the honour to inclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners 
 of the Admiralty, the copy of a letter from Captain Algernon C. F. Heneage, of Her 
 Majesty's ship "Rodney," announcing the final compliance of the native authorities with 
 the demands referred to, and the consequent embarkation of the seamen and marines landed 
 as an escort at Yang-chow during the negotiations. 
 
 3. I have already directed their Lordships' attention to the cordial co-operation of 
 Captain Heneage with Her Majesty's Consul, and to his prompt action in securing a 
 material guarantee to ensure a full compliance with our claims, which at once made him 
 master of the position, and was followed by immediate satisfaction. 
 
 4. The accompanying copy of a letter from Her Majesty's Minister in China, 
 expressing his cordial thanks to Captain Heneage will, 1 trust, further assure their 
 Lordships of the good services rendered by that officer, and I trust that the creditable 
 behaviour and discipline of the otBcers, seamen, and marines, landed for a period of 
 fourteen days (to which Her Majesty's Consul bears warm testimony), will be as gratifying 
 to their Lordships as to myself. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) HENRY KEPPEL. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 5. 
 Captain Heneage to Vice-Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, "Rodney," off Chin-kiang, November 30, 1868. 
 
 IN my despatch dated the 13th of November I had the honour to inform you that 
 Her Majesty's ships under my command had anchored off' the Grand Canal with the 
 Chinese steamer " Tien-chi '' in charge, and that Li, the Salt Commissioner of Kiang-su and 
 Ting, Taoutae, of Shanghae had been appointed to form, in concert with Mr. Medhurst 
 and myself, a Court of Inquiry at Yang-chow. 
 
 2. I left Her Majesty's ship " Rodney " on the morning of the 14th of November 
 with Her Majesty's Consul and an armed force of about 300 officers and men, selected from 
 Her Majesty's ships " Rodney," " Rinaldo," and " Icarus," and half a field battery from 
 the " Rodney," and proceeded up the Grand Canal in the gun-vessels " Slaney " and 
 " Dove," attended by the " Rodney's " steam-launch and the " Faust," a small steamer 
 kindly placed at my disposal by Messrs. Jardine and Matheson and Company of Shanghae. 
 Our course up the canal was somewhat retarded by the frequent groundings of the 
 
" Dove," owing to the intricacy of the navigation, I therefore landed the brigade about 
 six miles from the city of Yang-chow, bivouacked there for the night, and on the following 
 morning marched into the city, where we found the authorities had prepared for our recep- 
 tion a commodious temple (called Hsing Chiao-sze), which afforded ample accommodation 
 for all. 
 
 3. The day following our arrival was occupied in the interchange of visits between 
 the two Commissioners and Yang-chow authorities and ourselves, and we were everywhere 
 treated with marked courtesy. 
 
 4. After the opening of the formal inquiry we were soon enabled to arrive at a perfect 
 understanding as to the necessary arrangements to be made. We were assured that both 
 the Ghih-fu (or Prefect) and Chih-hsien had been degraded and dismissed from office. 
 Three men from among the lower classes were handed over to the local Magistrate for 
 trial and punishment, and active measures are now being taken to apprehend a fourth 
 person, a literary graduate called K'o, who was one of the chief leaders in the riot, and 
 who personally assaulted several of the missionaries. This man K'o is, however, the only 
 member of the literary class against whom proof exists of having aided and abetted the 
 rioters. The amount claimed for compensation to the missionaries for losses, &c., was 
 agreed to without demur, and 500 taels were granted for permanent injuries sustained by 
 some of them, while 150 dollars were awarded to two Chinese for a similar reason, and 
 Mr. Taylor's expense in renting another house at Chin-kiang, amounting to 120 dollars, 
 has been made good. A satisfactory Proclamation has been issued under the seals of the 
 two Commissioners, detailing the true nature, of the outrage which had been committed, 
 and the punishment and redress which had followed upon it. 
 
 5. On the 19th, Mr. Taylor and his assistants were formally reinstated in their original 
 house in Yang-chow, where a stone tablet is to be placed with a notice engraved upon it, 
 stating that the house is rented with the approval of the local authorities and of Her 
 Majesty's Consul, and that the residents are not to be interfered with, or molested in any 
 way. 
 
 6. With reference to the illegal detention at the Haikwan Barrier of merchandize 
 belonging to a Mr. Canny of Chin-kiang, referred to in paragraph 7 of the inclosure to my 
 letter No. 36, the Commissioners agreed to pay Mr. Canny all losses and expenses incurred 
 by him consequent on the detention complained of, and to fairly compensate the native 
 servants who had been robbed, punished, and tortured while in charge of the goods. 
 
 7. I regret to say that the day after the completion of the above arrangements new 
 complications arose by Mr. Medhurst receiving an official notice from Mr. Canny that a 
 further stoppage of merchandize — bond fide British property of about 600 taels value — had 
 occurred at the Haikwan barrier. 
 
 8. Taking into consideration the intricacy of the navigation of the Grand Canal, and 
 also the distance of the barrier, about 80 miles from Yang-chow, I considered it 
 unadvisable to attempt to proceed there in the gun-vessels, and I therefore requested the 
 Commissioners to place eight junks at my disposal, as it was my intention to embark the 
 force under my command for the purpose of proceeding to Huai-gan, with the object of 
 relieving the goods and of investigating the circumstances of their illegal detention, and 
 also to demand that due respect should be accorded to transit passes for the future, in 
 accordance with the Treaty of Tien-tsin, so that the recurrence of similar acts might be 
 obviated. The Comn)issioners having requested that I would consent to delay my 
 departure during the space of three days to enable them to communicate with the 
 Superintendent of Inland Customs at Huai-gan I complied with their request, and at the 
 expiration of that time Mr. Medhurst received a despatch from the Superintendent of the 
 barrier expressing extreme regret for the detention of the goods, which he stated had been 
 caused by the acts of subordinates, which he could in no way justify, and also informing 
 him that all British goods had been immediately released and conveyed to their several 
 destinations, and that the transit passes issued by the British Consul at the various ports 
 should henceforth be respected, Tn consequence of this prompt assurance on the part of 
 the Superintendent that such illegal acts should henceforth be discontinued, Mr. Medhurst 
 and myself deemed it unnecessary to carry out the proposed expedition. 
 
 9. All our demands now having been comphed, excepting a few minor details, 
 I considered the further detention of the " Tien-chi" might prove an inconvenience in the 
 movements of the squadron by my being obliged to place a prize crew on board of her, 
 the Commissioners had intimated their intention to discharge the crew unless the steamers 
 were released. Mr. Medhurst and myself therefore demanded that the sura of 6,000 taels 
 should be placed at the Consul's disposal, in lieu of the steamer, as a guarantee for the 
 performance, on the part of the Yang-chow authorities, of their assurance to use their 
 utmost endeavours to arrest the civilian K'o, who, from his social position, we deemed 
 
 [224] C 
 
highly desirable to make an example of. Failing the arrest of this man, K'o, the Yang- 
 chow authorities themselves are to be reported to the Emperor for dismissal from office. 
 
 10. On the 25th the 6,000 taels guarantee were delivered to Mr. Medhurst, and the 
 same day I addressed a letter to the Commander of the " Tien-chi," informing him that 
 the embargo on the vessel under his command ceased on receipt of the letter. 
 
 1 1 . Mr. Medhurst having officially informed me of the successful termination of the 
 mission, 1 embarked the brigade on the 29th instant, and proceeded with the squadron to 
 the anchorage off Chin-kiang on the 30th. 
 
 12. In this, my concluding report of my proceedings in connection with the Yang- 
 chow difficulties, &c., I cannot omit to mention the willing and cordial support I invariably 
 received from Mr. Consul Medhurst, and the perfect unanimity and accord that existed 
 between that officer and myself when a material decision and co-operation were essentially 
 necessary for the success of the mission entrusted to us. I beg at the same time to express 
 my thanks to Major Crossman, R.E., who, whilst at Shanghae, hearing that an expedition 
 was pending, kindly placed his professional service at my disposal, which, I need not add, 
 I gratefully accepted. It affords me pleasure to bring to your favourable notice Com- 
 mander Lord Charles Scott, R.N., Captain William Hall, KM.L.I., (who respectively 
 commanded the naval and marine battalions,) and the other officers employed on detached 
 service, as well as the seamen and marines, who performed their duties throughout with 
 zeal and general good conduct. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) A. HENEAGE. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 5. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Vice'Admiral Sir H. Keppel. 
 
 Sir, Peking, December 14, 1868. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to forward copy of a despatch I have received from Mr. Consul 
 Medhurst reporting the termination of the negotiations in which he has been engaged, 
 with the material aid and support of the Senior Naval Officer and the force under his 
 command at Chin-kiang and Yang-chow. They have been crowned with a fuller measure 
 of success than could have been safely anticipated, and without resorting to any actual 
 force. 
 
 How much is this due to the energetic and efficient co-operation of Captain Heneage 
 is evident from Mr. Medhurst's report, and I have to beg you will permit me through you 
 to convey my best thanks to that officer, and those under his command. I have not 
 failed to bring the valuable assistance rendered on this occasion under the special notice of 
 Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and although it falls more 
 especially within your province to appreciate the credit due to the whole force as well as 
 to the Senior Officer for the exemplary conduct of all the men while on shore, and the 
 effective discipline maintained, I cannot refrain from the expression of my entire satisfac- 
 tion at the result. Had there been any casual relaxation of discipline or a single act of 
 drunkenness and brawling in the streets, it is impossible to say how disastrous might have 
 been the results among such a hostile population upon the whole course of the negotiations. 
 That no such untoward incidents occurred to mar the efforts made to obtain a peaceable 
 solution of our difficulties cannot but reflect the highest credit on all engaged, and on the 
 service to which they belong. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 5. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 (Extract.) Yang-chow, November 26, 1868. 
 
 I MAY thus, 1 think, pronounce the objects of the mission to have been entirely 
 fulfilled, and I trust that the results of my efforts may prove as acceptable to your 
 Excellency as they are satisfactory to myself. The success which has attended them is, I 
 honestly feel, mainly due to the energetic and efficient co-operation which I have through- 
 out received from Captain Heneage. No obstacle has daunted him, no detail has wearied 
 him, but he has followed me in the negotiation &om beginning to end, even into its most 
 
vexatious mimitise, with a helpful counsel and strong support which have been invaluable 
 to me. Captain Heneage also merits at your Excellency's hands high praise for the manner 
 in which he has placed a body of more than 300 men at this distance from the squadron, 
 and for the perfect discipline which he has maintained in the force throughout its fourteen 
 days' stay on shore. The latter feature has been so remarkable as to attract the observation 
 and approbation of the Chinese Authorities, and I need scarcely point out how the slightest 
 laxity in discipline might have irritated the people, and thus have worked prejudice to the 
 very interest which it was our object to promote. 
 
 lSo.6. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — {Received February 26, 1869.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, December 14, 1868. 
 
 REFERRING to my despatch of the 1 1 th instant, I have since received two further 
 despatches from Mr. Consul Medhurst of November 26 and December 2, with their 
 inclosures, completing his account of the measures taken at Yang-chow and Chin-kiang 
 and their satisfactory results. As copies of these have been already forwarded direct to 
 the Foreign Office by Mr. Medhurst, I only forward copy of my reply entirely approving 
 of the action taken. 
 
 The report Mr. Medhurst makes of the energetic and efficient support he received 
 from Captain Heneage and all under his orders is highly satisfactory, and 1 have no doubt 
 that to such cordial and sustained co-operation is greatly to be attributed the entire success 
 of the demonstration it was necessary to make. It is peculiarly gratifying to me to be 
 enabled to bring this evidence of what can be done by intelligent and loyal co-operation, 
 under your Lordship's attention ; and I trust the valuable nature of the service rendered 
 by Captain Heneage on this occasion may be specially reported to the Lords Commissioners 
 of the Admiralty. 
 
 I may be permitted to add that in my opinion the greatest praise is due to the senior 
 officer and those under his command, for the perfect discipline maintained by the force of 
 300 men landed in the midst of a disaflFected population, because I know from experience 
 that nothing is more difficult to secure under such circumstances. A single act of drunken- 
 ness or disturbance might have defeated all the effi)rts that were being made to arrive at a 
 satisfactory and peaceful termination ; and that no such untoward incident complicated 
 matters must reflect the highest credit on the officers, and speaks well for the discipline of 
 and order of the whole force. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 6. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 Sir^ Peking, December 14, 1868. 
 
 SINCE the despatch of the 12th instant, I have had the satisfaction to receive your 
 despatches, with their inclosures, of the 26th November and 2nd of December, completing 
 the account of your proceedings at Yang-chow and Chin-kiang. 
 
 I am now informed why you found it impossible to secure the conviction of Ko, the 
 accused literary graduate ; and can only hope that he may yet be found, and dealt with as 
 he deserves if convicted of the acts laid to his charge. I approve of the steps taken by 
 you to this end, and you will, of course, take steps to follow them up in the manner 
 proposed. 
 
 I also approve of the discretion exercised by you in dealing with the point raised by 
 the French Mission at Yang-chow, 
 
 I am glad to hear that, as I anticipated, you succeeded in obtaining a satisfactory 
 adjustment of the Chin-kiang missionary question. As nothing farther is said of the 
 opium monopoly, and complaints on that head, I infer you saw no occasion for further 
 
 action. 
 
 The report you make of the energetic and efficient co-operation which you have 
 throughout these delicate and responsible operations received from Captain Heneage, the 
 Senior Naval Officer, is highly satisfactory. I have sent a copy to his Excellency^ 
 Sir H. Keppel, the NavAl Commander-in-chief, with a request that he would' convey tq 
 
 C 2 
 
10 
 
 that officer my thanks for the important service rendered. By such cordial co-operatioa 
 and combined effort alone, could results have been obtained which will go far, I trust, to 
 check all farther manifestations of a hostile spirit, and an open disregard of all Treaty 
 obligations ou the part of the provincial authorities and the population under them. This 
 had assumed so menacing an aspect, and its effects were so widely spread, that it became 
 imperative to deal with it boldly, and show unmistakeably that there was both the power 
 and the will to exact redress for the past, and enforce the better observance of Treaty 
 stipulations in future. 
 
 I have much pleasure in conveying to you my cordial approval of your conduct 
 throughout the negotiations, and bringing under the special notice of Her Majesty's 
 Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs your own part in the work, as well as 
 Captain Heneage's material aid. 
 
 You will convey to Messrs. Stronach and Allen the expression of my satisfaction at 
 the favourable report you have made of their conduct during their attendance on this 
 special service, which will also be made known to Her Majesty's Secretary of State. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 2^0.7. 
 
 Mr. Hammond to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, March 2, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to previous correspondence in regard to the Yang-chow outrage, I 
 am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords 
 Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Minister in 
 China, bringing to his Lordship's notice the energetic and efficient support which 
 Mr. Consul Medhurst received from Captain Heneage and those under his orders on the 
 occasion in question, and requesting that the valuable nature of this service may be 
 brought to the knowledge of the Board of Admiralty. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 Memorandum by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, respecting Missions 
 
 in China. 
 
 ON Tuesday evening, March 9, the Duke of Somerset, speaking in his place in the 
 House of Lords, commented in strong terms on the recent proceedings of certain 
 missionaries in Yang-chow; and added, " Nobody is responsible for this mischief but the 
 London Missionary Society." The Directors of that Society have read this statement 
 with considerable surprise, because they are innocent in the matter ; and since the 
 reference made to it by Lord Clarendon himself did not clear up all the details, they 
 venture to lay before his Lordship a very brief statement of the case, so far as it concerns 
 themselves. 
 
 2. With the proceedings of the missionaries of the " Inland China Mission," who 
 settled in Yang-chow, the Directors of the London Missionary Society had nothing 
 whatever to do. Those proceedings, indeed, differ in many ways from the views and 
 practices which have prevailed among the China missionaries of the London Missionary 
 Society. Since the Treaty of 1842, that Society has employed many missionaries in the 
 Chinese Empire ; it had never less than twelve, and in recent years the staff has amounted 
 to twenty. All these missionaries reside in Treaty ports, in the city of Peking, or in the 
 island of Hong Kong. Except on three trifling occasions, when others interfered on their 
 behalf, they have had no reason to apply to any British Consul for personal protection 
 during the past twenty-five years. One of their missionaries was invited by Admiral Hope 
 to accompany his expedition up the Yang-tsze, and aided the Admiral as interpreter. 
 Another was for some years Medical Officer to the Legation at Peking, And a third, on 
 recently quitting Hong Kong, received the public acknowledgments of the Governor and 
 Council of that Colony for the services which he had rendered to its people during the 
 long period of his residence there. 
 
 3, It was not because their missionaries had given the Englssh Government any 
 
a 
 
 trouble in China, but because they have never done so, and because the Directors are 
 anxious, whenever practicable, cordially to co-operate with the English Government still, 
 that they recently requested Lord Clarendon to give them his views of the amount of 
 liberty secured to missionaries generally by the Treaties with China which are now in 
 force. 
 
 (Signed) JOSEPH MULLENS, Foreign Secretary. 
 
 Mission House, March 11, 1869. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to Lord Stanley. — (Received March 22.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, January 27, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copy of my despatch 
 of the 26th instant, with inclosure, to the address of Her Majesty's Minister at Peking. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in E"o. 9. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. AlcocJc. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, January 26, 1869. 
 
 ADVERTING to my despatch dated the 26th November last, in which I reported my 
 concluding arrangements in connection with the Yang-chow atfair. I have now the honour 
 to acquaint your Excellency that the man Koh is at last reported to me officially as having 
 been apprehended. 
 
 I had heard of his capture and identification previously from both Mr. Assistant Allen 
 and Mr. Taylor, and it is in reply to an inquiry on the subject which I had in consequence 
 addressed to the Taoutae of this place, that I have now received the official intimation 
 referred to, a copy and translation of the letter is herewith inclosed. 
 
 I propose to depute Messrs. Stronach and Allen to visit Yang-chow, and cause the 
 prisoner to be officially identified by Mr. Taylor in their presence, when they will likewise 
 have the opportunity of judging for themselves in how far the pleas brought forward of 
 dotage and insanity can be sustained. 
 
 As regards the question of the degree of criminality attachable severally to Koh and 
 Liu-chun, I have suggested to the Taoutae the expediency of punishing both men as 
 principals ; the one in exciting the mob to violence and arson, the other in actually heading 
 the plunderers in their forcible entry into the mission premises. The Taoutae has claimed 
 permission to investigate the penal code as to the possibility of adopting this view. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 9. 
 Ning, Taoutae, to Consul Medhurst, 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Sir January 24, 1869. 
 
 IN reply to your note calling for an explanation as to the delay in reporting the 
 capture of the man Koh, concerned in the Yang-chow outrage, who, you learn, has been 
 arrested, and also inquiring the mode in which he will be punished. I beg to state that it 
 is only this very day that the petition of the Kau-chuan magistrate came to hand. Koh, it 
 appears, is 71 years' old, and his full name is Koh Shou-chun. He has long been subject 
 to mental disease, and is generally named " cracked Koh." Mr. Taylor has identified him. 
 
 I have directed the said magistrate that if this Koh is proved to be the ringleader, the 
 punishment of Lin-chun and the other must be reduced to that laid down for accessories, 
 
 and vice versa. 
 
 I have the honour to request the repayment of the deposit of 6,000 taels, at your 
 earliest convenience, as the conditions have now been fulfilled, viz., the capture of the said 
 Koh, under which it was returnable. 
 
12 
 
 No. 10. 
 
 Consul Medhurst to the Earl of Clarendon. — (Received April 19.) 
 
 My Lord, Shanghae, February 25, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your Lordship's information, copy of my 
 despatch of the 24th instant to the address of his Excellency Her Majesty [s Minister at 
 Peking, forwarding copy of Mr. Acting Interpreter Stronach's report on his recent visit 
 to Yang-chow. 
 
 (Signed) ' W'. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 10. 
 Consul Medhurst to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, February 25, 1869. 
 
 REFERRING to my despatch dated 26th January, 1869, I have the honour to 
 submit copy of a report of Mr. Stronach of the result of his visit to Yang-chow for the 
 purpose of causing the prisoner Koh to be identified in his presence. 
 
 It is very satisfactory to find from Mr. Stronach's account that no traces of ill-feeling 
 against foreigners appear to exist at Yang-chow. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) W. H. MEDHURST. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 10. 
 Mr. Stronach to Consul Medhurst. 
 
 Sir, Shanghae, February 24, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to report that, in conformity with the instructions conveyed in 
 your despatch of the 16th instant, Mr. Allen and myself proceeded to Yang-chow, 
 and that in presence of ourselves, the Prefect, and the Kan-chuan, Magistrate, Messrs. Eeid 
 and Rudland of the China Inland Mission testified to the identity of a prisoner brought before 
 us with the civilian Koh, who was a ringleader in the outrage of August last. 
 
 The prisoner is an old man and very evidently half-witted. He is stated not to be a 
 Hsiu-ts'ai, although of the civilian class. He wore no decoration, and his appearance 
 indicated that he had experienced the usual Chinese prison treatment. He broke out into 
 a long and incoherent appeal for mercy which had at least the effect of enabling the 
 missionaries to announce, if possible, more confidently the identity of the man, as his voice 
 and manner irresistibly recalled the impressions of the night of terror. 
 
 We received every attention and civility from the local authorities, and the bearing of 
 the people was satisfactory. The streets were crowded with idle holiday folk. Not an 
 insulting expression met our ears. 
 
 I noticed that the Proclamation narrating the facts of the outrage and the retribu- 
 tion issued on the 20th November by the Commissioners Li and Ying was still on the wall 
 and in neither a better nor a worse state of preservation than other notifications of about 
 the same date. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) W. G. STRONACH. 
 
 No. 11. 
 Sir R. Alcock to Lord Stanley. — (Received April 23.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, February 4, 1869. 
 
 REFERRING to your Lordship's despatch of the 20th November last, I have the 
 honour to inclose a further correspondence with the Prince of Kung on the Yang-chow 
 disturbances. 
 
 It wiU be seen that His Imperial Highness took exception to Mr, Medhurst's actioA 
 
13 
 
 in demanding from the Viceroy, as a material guarantee, the steamer which he found off 
 Nanking under his Excellency's orders, and also to his having proceeded up the Grand 
 Canal to Yang-chow with two gun-boats, landing a force of 300 men to accompany him, 
 while he remained in the town. 
 
 In my reply, I defended the Consul's action as having been fully justified in my 
 opinion — as regarded the demand for a material guarantee, by the conduct of the Viceroy 
 and the other officials on his first mission, and, with reference to the armed force which he 
 took with him, by the lawless violence which the Yang-chow populace had displayed under 
 the eyes of the local authorities towards inoffensive missionaries. 
 
 I further pointed out to the Prince that whatever may have been distasteful to the 
 Viceroy in the measures taken, had been rendered unavoidable by the persistent denial of 
 redress on the part of his Excellency and the authorities under his orders at Yang-chow on 
 the occasion of Mr. Medhurst's first visit. Had they acted with good faith when justice 
 was first demanded, and granted such measures of redress as the Viceroy himself admitted 
 was fitting on the second appeal, the necessity for the Consul's action, and the presence of 
 a squadron off Nanking, would not have arisen, and all further chance of untoward compli- 
 (jations might have been avoided. I trust your Lordship will approve the purport of 
 my reply. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 P.S. — I beg also to inclose copy of a letter received from Mr. Taylor expressing his 
 thanks for the benefit received. 
 
 R. A. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 11. 
 The Prince of Rung to Sir R. Alcoclc. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE Prince of Kung, &c., makes a communication. 
 
 In the matter of the maltreatment of certain British missionaries at Yang-cho\^ 
 his Excellency the British Minister wrote that, as no satisfactory settlement had been 
 effected at the time, it would be necessary to depute a competent high official to deal with 
 the case. On this the Prince at once directed the Minister Superintendent at Shanghae to 
 depute a high functionary of the rank of Provincial Judge or Intendent to accompany 
 Mr. Medhurst to Yang-chow, there to re-open and settle the case. His Highness received, 
 on the 9th and 23rd December, the joint Reports of their Excellencies the late Minister 
 Superintendent Tseng and the newly appointed Minister Superintendent Ma, notifying the 
 conclusion of the case. 
 
 Their Excellencies state that, " on the 1st November, and subsequently, we directed 
 Li-yuen-hua, the recently appointed Provincial Judge of Kiangsu, and late Salt Commis- 
 sioner of the District of Liang-huai, and Ying-pao-shih, the Intendent of the Su, Sung, 
 Tao Circuit (the Shanghae Taoutae), to proceed to Yang-chow with Mr. Medhurst and 
 settle the case. Meanwhile, on the 3rd November, Mr. Medhurst left Shanghae with a 
 ship (or ships) of war. On the 9th November, as already agreed, Ying Taoutae and 
 Mr. Medhurst came to the provincial capital (Nanking). There was a long discussion; 
 Mr. Medhurst demanded a material guarantee fn the shape of the new steamer in which 
 Ying Taoutae had travelled, laying an absolute embargo on it pending the final conclusion 
 of the case. 
 
 On the 15th November, Mr. Medhurst took two ships of war up to the Hsuning 
 (South Gate) of Yang-chow. Himself, and with some 300 soldiers he had with him, 
 occupied the Hsing Chiao-ssu within the city. Mr. Medhurst, the military officers, and 
 the interpreter, met by appointment at the Wan Shou-ssu, and the matter was discussed 
 thoroughly and in detail. With regard to the gentry indicated, it was conclusively shown 
 that the suspicion of their having incited and caused the disturbance was the result of 
 mistaken confidence in mere rumours, and as Mr. Medhurst could advance nothing to the 
 contrary, that matter was allowed to drop. 
 
 The local officials have at various times apprehended three of the rioters, namely, 
 Liu-chun, Chang Chin-chun, and Ko-piao. The Magistrate has been directed to secure 
 the identification of the principal offender among them by Mr. Taylor and the head 
 borough, that his punishment may be in accordance with his offence. 
 
 With regard to compensation, that has been paid according to Mr. Taylor's estimate 
 for medical treatment, damages, and the expenses in procuring lodging caused by his flight 
 
14 
 
 from the city. Mr. Medhurst has given a receipt for 1,228 taels 4 mace and 270 dollars 
 9 cents, which sums will be handed to Mr. Taylor by the Consul. The missionaries will 
 reoccupy their premises. A joint Proclamation has been issued by their Excellencies 
 Ts6ng and Ma, the late and present Ministers Superintendent, and the Ting, the 
 Lieutenant-Governor of Kiang-su, enjoining the military and populace of the three 
 Prefectures of Huaian, Chiu-kiang and Yang-chow to respect the Treaty and not to molest 
 or interfere with missionary establishments. The Prefect of Yang-chow has also furnished 
 Mr. Taylor with a succinct Proclamation engraved on stone. These points were arranged 
 on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November, Mr. Medhurst expressing great satisfaction at 
 the promptitude of the settlement. He left the neighbourhood (lit. port) with his war 
 ships on the 28th November. The matter is thus concluded, &c. 
 
 The Prince would observe that directly these disturbances, wherein the missionaries 
 suffered, occurred, the Minister Superintendent ordered the local officials to repair the 
 house, and proposed the payment of 1 .000 taels for medical charges, and to make good the 
 losses incurred. At a later date the inefficient Prefect Sun and Magistrate Li were 
 removed from oflSce, while able officials in the persons of the Provincial Judge Li and the 
 Shanghae Taoutae Ying were sent to Yang-chow with Mr. Medhurst to bring about an 
 equitable settlement. 
 
 Again, the action taken on the several points agrees in the main with the demands 
 made in his Excellency's despatch of October 1 0, which were the appointment of a high 
 officer, the apprehension of the principal offenders, and increased compensation. 
 Mr. Medhurst also has expressed himself well satisfied with (deeply grateful for) the 
 promptitude of the settlement. 
 
 The Prince has now to forward to his Excellency the British Minister, for his 
 information, copies of the Proclamation issued, and of a note from Mr. Medhurst to the 
 Prefect of Yang-chow, with the above particulars of the closing of the case. 
 
 The Prince has now had the honour to receive Her Majesty's rescript, directing him 
 to enjoin the provincial authorities to deal equitably with any missionary cases, should 
 such again occur, in order that missionaries and people may live in harmony, and for the 
 prevention of troubles. It will be for his Excellency the British Minister, on his part, to 
 instruct the Consuls to notify the missionaries residing in the various provinces, that they 
 must attend to their own proper business and not provoke troubles. Should difficulties 
 arise, these should be discussed fairly, temperately, and in good faith. 
 
 In the present instance, while the matter is still under discussion, Mr. Medhurst all 
 at once brings forward men-of-war, and would like to detain a new Chinese steamer as a 
 guarantee. He has acted illiberally, and has missed the right way of dealing with the 
 case. Such conduct does not at all accord with the desire to consolidate the friendly 
 relations of the two countries, and it will be for his Excellency the British Minister to warn 
 Mr. Medhurst not to act so for the future. 
 
 In reply to his Excellency, the Prince has to forward this statement of the circum- 
 stances attending the joint settlement of the Yang-chow missionary business. 
 
 A necessary communication, &c., to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 The inclosures are the Viceroy's Proclamation, the inscription on the tablet set up by 
 the Yang-chow Prefect in Mr. Taylor's house, and a note from Mr. Medhurst and 
 Captain Heneage, thanking the Prefect and local authorities for the settlement. One 
 hundred and twenty-two dollars have been left as a present to the official underlings who 
 have been in attendance. 
 
 January 2, 1869. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 1 1. 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Prince of Kung. 
 
 Peking, January 26, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of a communication from your Imperial. 
 Highness, dated the 2nd instant, informing me of the steps taken for the satisfactory 
 settlement of the questions arising out of the Yang-chow disturbances. I have also 
 received a full report from Consul Medhurst ; and the satisfactory nature of the settle- 
 ment effected is, I conceive, a subject of congratulation for both countries. 
 
 I should not, in view of this result, have been disposed to return to the original 
 grounds of complaint, had not your Imperial Highness taken exception to certain steps 
 adopted by Mr* Consul Medhurst, as unnecessary, and not at all in accord with a desire to 
 
15 
 
 consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries, which I feel bound to show 
 were not only justifiable and expedient, but necessary, under the circumstances. 
 
 It is objected that Mr. Medhurst thought it necessary to insist upon a material 
 guarantee for the due performance of any engagements entered into, and further, that he 
 took ships of war with him to the city of Yang-chow, and landed with 300 men from the 
 crews of the ships when he took up his temporary residence there. 
 
 To these objections I have to reply, that when the Consul first visited Nanking to 
 make appeal to his Excellency Tseng Kwo-fan, Governor of the two provinces, and 
 Superintendent of the southern ports, he proceeded there in one of Her Majesty's ships as 
 was fittinjSf when so employed, and received assurances that his demands for redress should 
 be promptly and satisfactorily met. 
 
 He proceeded at once to Yang-chow for the purpose of seeing to the fulfilment of 
 these proniises, and found the Prefect and Chih-hsien only, bent on delusive proceedings, 
 and screening offenders. 
 
 Seeing the hopelessness of obtaining any effective justice or redress at their hands, 
 he returned to Nanking to make a further representation to the Governor, when unfortu- 
 nately the Commander of the ship faUing sick, she sailed for Shanghae, leaving the 
 Consul behind to prosecute the negotiations. What was the result ? His Excellency 
 Tseng Kwo-fan, under pretext of pressing business, refused to grant another interview ; and 
 with a contemptuous disregard of all previous engagements and promises, simply offered 
 1,000 taels, instead of the compensation demanded for losses and injuries inflicted on the 
 missionaries ; not offered indeed as a compensation, but rather as a dole of charity. The 
 whole of the proceeding, and the tone of the Governor's official communication, was an 
 insult to the Consul of the Power he represented. 
 
 The Consul finding he was not listened to, and being thus insultingly dismissed as it 
 were, returned to his post at Shanghae, and reported to me, as in duty bound, the whole 
 . affair. 
 
 I lost no time in personally making these circumstances known to your Imperial 
 Highness, and the other Ministers of the Yamen, and received the assurance that justice 
 should be done, and orders transmitted without delay to the Governor of the two Provinces 
 to appoint a Commissioner of fitting rank, with full powers to inquire into all the facts, 
 in concert with Mr. Medhurst, and afford redress. 
 
 Warned by the ill-success of the Consul's previous efforts, and the treatment he had 
 experienced, I deemed it necessary that he should be accompanied by a squadron of Her 
 Majesty's ships to attest, and plainly mark the importance attached to his mission, and 
 afford him whatever material support and protection might be required while engaged in 
 carrying out his instructions. 
 
 Can it be said after the experience of bad faith, and contemptuous neglect with which 
 he had been treated, more especially by his Excellency Tseng Kwo-fan, from the moment 
 the ship of war left him on the previous occasion, that the Consul was not justified, on his 
 second mission, in requiring from that officer some material guarantee for a more satisfac- 
 tory result ? 
 
 The demand was a necessary result of the proceedings of the high authorities at 
 Nanking, which divested mere promises or assurances of all value, and destroyed confidence 
 in the good faith of those who made them. It was not desirable that the same comedy 
 should be played over again, of promises made only to be broken as soon as the squadron 
 and Consul should take their departure ; and the Consul had instruciions not to leave 
 until a satisfactory settlement was effected, with adequate guarantees for the execution of 
 any engagements entered into. If there was anything objectionable or distasteful to the 
 high authorities in the course taken of laying an embargo on the steamer, his Excellency 
 Tseng Kwo-fan brought it upon himself by his previous conduct, and is alone to blame. 
 As to the Consul's proceeding to Yang-chow with two small vessels, and landing a strong 
 guard while he remained in the city, so far from its ill-according with a desire to 
 consolidate fiiendly relations between the two countries, and a peaceable solution of the 
 existing differences, I cannot help thinking it was the best possible guarantee for both. 
 The real source of danger in all these cases lies in the supineness or connivance of the 
 local authorities with those who are plotting violence and mischief against inoffensive 
 foreigners ; and the impunity which those disturbers of the peace are assured of in advance. 
 The Consul could feel little confidence in a populace that so recently had nearly torn in 
 pieces, and tried to burn aHve a whole mission of defenceless men, women, and children, 
 causing personal injury to three of the number (two of them women], as has since been 
 conclusively established by medical examination and trustworthy evidence, and quite as 
 little confidence in local authorities who in spile of all appeals for protection and ten days 
 [2241 D 
 
16 
 
 warning that men of mark among the Uterati and gentry were plotting against their lives, 
 and stirring the mob to acts of violence, allowed their culminating outrages to be perpe- 
 trated under their immediate jurisdiction, and almost under their eyes. 
 
 Had any insult or violence been offered to the Consul while engaged on this mission, 
 it would have been so serious an offence as to render it difficult to maintain _ amicable 
 relations, and thus have given rise to new complications. The event, I think, satisfactorily 
 proved that the best way to secure peace on the part of the people of Yang-chow, was to 
 be prepared to resist and punish violence. 
 
 Your Imperial Highness' observations on some other points cannot be passed over 
 in silence. It is stated that, as reported to you no doubt, there was no foundation for the 
 charges against any of the hterati and gentry, whereas, on the contrary, the Consul was 
 convinced the principal offender, one Koh, who was nowhere to be found, had hid himself 
 for no other reason than his consciousness of guilt, and his knowledge that he could be 
 identified by his accusers as having incited the mob. And it is one of the few points yet 
 remaining in the engagements entered into by the authorities at Nanking that this 
 individual shall be produced within two months and confronted with the evidence against 
 him, to the strict fulfilment of which I must draw your Imperial Highness' attention. All 
 the more so, that I am satisfied it is to the assured impunity members of this class habitually 
 enjoy, through the connivance of those who are in office, whenever they incite the inhabitants 
 to acts of violence against foreigners, that these dangerous outbreaks and disturbances are 
 mainly due. If all the literati and gentry were, on the contrary, convinced that swift 
 punishment would follow their misdeeds in this direction, notwithstanding any rank or 
 influence, they would very soon cease to be disturbers of the peace. 
 
 The communication of your Imperial Highness closes with a request that I will notify 
 the missionaries residing in the various provinces not to provoke troubles. As a class, I 
 think it must be known all over China that British missionaries are peaceable subjects, 
 offering no offence or provocation to any one, and seeking only to do good to all men. 
 Until some evidence is before me, therefore, that they do not attend to their own proper 
 calling, which is one of peace and good-will, but provoke troubles, I have no grounds for 
 such a notification, and should not be justified in assuming that they required admonish- 
 ment, or that their conduct laid them open to animadversion. At Yang-chow the vile 
 charges brought against them of murdering children and other crimes were manifestly got 
 up by persons only desirous of rousing the passions of the people against them, and who 
 knew such charges had no shadow of foundation. If otherwise, why did they not produce 
 their evidence in the Court, and establish the guilt of the parties accused ? The crime of 
 the local authorities was the greater, therefore, in allowing such libellous reports and 
 placards to be circulated against innocent men and women without an effort to put down 
 and punish all such calumniators, and still less effectually to protect the defenceless 
 strangers trusting to the protection of the laws under their jurisdiction. If peace is to be 
 maintained between the two countries, and friendly relations consolidated, it is essential 
 that all the provincial authorities should be compelled to adopt a different line of conduct 
 in future, and show more respect to Treaty rights and obligations. 
 
 I can only trust that your Imperial Highness will see the necessity of this, and 
 enforce a like conviction on the minds of all those in authority throughout the provinces. 
 But more especially does this seem needful in regard to the high officers. If his Excel- 
 lency Tseng Kwo-fan, when Consul Medhurst first appealed to him for justice on the 
 ] 1th September, had instituted a searching inquiry into the conduct of the Prefect and 
 Chih-hsien and all concerned in the disturbances, with a sincere desire to arrive at the truth 
 and do justice, there can be no doubt he would have arrived as easily and certainly then, 
 as two months later, on the second visit of the Consul, at the conclusions he notified in 
 his despatch to Mr. Medhurst on the 24th of the 9th month (8th November, 1868), that 
 all the demands made by the British authorities from the beginning were just and reason- 
 able, and should be conceded, and that the Prefect and Chih-hsien had alike failed in their 
 duty and should be removed. 
 
 What was acknowledged by his Excellency Tseng Kwo-fan to be right, and a simple 
 act of justice, in November, must have been equally so in September, when first the facts 
 were laid before him ; and it was no less obviously incumbent on a high authority in his 
 Excellency's position to do justice at once, instead of denying it until the Consul was sent 
 a second time with a squadron to obtain redress ; for whatever danger of future complica- 
 tions there may have been in the interval at Chin-kiang and elsewhere, and of appearance 
 of pressure and coercion in the end, it is manifest that his Excellency the Governor of the 
 Two Provinces was solely and absolutely responsible. It was in his power to have 
 prevented both. It was his duty under the Treaty to have done so, and I cannot help 
 thinking he must now see it would have been his interest also, as it very certainly would 
 
17 
 
 have been in the interests of peace and in accordance with a desire which should animate 
 the authorities of both nations to consoUdate existing friendly relations. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 1 1 . 
 The Rev. J. Taylor to Sir R. Alcoch 
 
 Sir, Yang-chow, December 28, 1869. 
 
 PERMIT me to express, on behalf of myself, and those associated with me, our 
 grateful appreciation of the measures your Excellency has taken, which have so success- 
 fully issued in our reinstatement in Yang-chow. We desire also to thank you for the 
 indemnity procured for us, and those natives who suffered with us, and for the valuable 
 proclamations obtained from the local and provincial authoritieSo And we feel the more 
 grateful for these measures, because they will facilitate, as we beheve, not only our work 
 in Yang-chow, Chin-kiang, and Nanking, but Christian missions generally throughout the 
 interior of China. 
 
 We trust that your Excellency will have the satisfaction of seeing great and perma- 
 nent advantage accrue to British interests from the important and decisive action 
 taken. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) J. HUDSON TAYLOR. 
 
 No. 12. 
 Sir R. Aleock to Lord Stanley, — (Received April 23.) 
 
 (Extract.) Peking, February 11, 1869. 
 
 YOUR Lordship will have already received Mr. Medhurst's despatch from Shanghae 
 of the 26th of January, reporting the arrest of Ko-li, one of two literary graduates 
 inculpated as principals in provoking the outrages on the missionaries at Yang-chow. 
 
 I have approved the steps taken by Mr. Medhurst for the identification and the 
 ultimate punishment of the prisoner, as will be seen by the inclosed copy of a despatch of 
 this date, and at the same time directed him to deduct from the 6,000 taels now in his hands 
 as a security, or otherwise secure, the additional compensation which I am satisfied is 
 fairly due to the three persons injured, from the medical certificates already forwarded, after 
 examination of the injuries. 
 
 In my letter to the Prince of Kung, a copy of which is inclosed in my despatch 
 of the 4th instant,* communicating this decision under the power reserved to me by 
 Mr. Medhurst's agreement with the high authorities at Nanking, I have stated the 
 principles laid down in your Lordship's despatch of the 1st of December, that the local 
 authorities should be compelled, out of their own resources, to make ample compensation 
 to the sufferers wherever, as in this case, they were clearly responsible for the mischief 
 which ensued. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 12. 
 Sir R. Aleock to Consul Medhurst, 
 
 Sir, Peking, February 14, 1869. 
 
 WITH reference to my despatch of 11th December, directing you to press a further 
 claim of 1,500 taels, in ccmpensation for the members of Mr. Taylor's mission injured by 
 the mob at Yang-chow, and the apphcation of the Taoutae inclosed in your despatch of 
 the 26th ultimo, for the return of the sum of 6,000 taels lodged with you as a security 
 for the fulfilment of the engagements entered into with you at Nanking, I now inclose 
 you copy of an official communication I have made to his Imperial Highness the Prince 
 of Kung on the subject, f 
 
 You will see that I have stated and consider the further claim of 1,500 taels justly 
 (iue froni the permanent nature of the injuries received; and that I have instructed you to 
 
 * See No. 11. 
 t See « China Papers, No. 3 (1869;," Inclosure 15 in No. 18, 
 
18 
 
 demand it as strictly in accordance with the power reserved to nae wlien you fixed the 
 smaller sum, subject to my ulterior decision. 
 
 I have further, in accordance with the instructions conveyed in a recent despatch from 
 Lord Stanley, intimated that 1 held the local authorities at Yang-chow to be responsible for 
 ihe amount, by reason of their neglect of duty. And, under these circumstances, I have 
 suggested that the said 1,500 taels should, in the first instance, be deducted by you from 
 the 6,000 taels now in your hands, leaving it to the proper authorities to recover the 
 amount from those held accountable for the Imperial or Provincial Treasury. 
 
 I trust j^ou will have no difficulty in giving effect to these instructions ; but as there 
 is no time to receive any answer from His Imperial Highness before the courier leaves, you 
 will, I think, do well to pay only the balance, 4,500 taels, back to the Taoutae pending the 
 arrival of such answer, and lodging the 1,500 taels in the Oriental Bank until the question 
 is finally determined between the Prince and myself, stating in your vindication that such 
 are your instructions. 
 
 Your, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 No. 13. 
 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, April 26, 1 869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 4th of February, reporting the settlement 
 of the questions arising out of the missionary troubles at Yang-chow-foo. 
 
 The opinion of Her Majesty's Government on those matters has already been 
 conveyed to you in my despatch of the 1 1th of January.* 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 * See "China Papers, No. 2 (1869)," No. 18. 
 
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CHINA. No. 9 (1870). 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 RESPECTING 
 
 INLAND RESIDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 ENGLISH MISSIOKAEIES 
 
 IK 
 
 CHINA. 
 
 Presented to the House of Commons by Command of Her Majesty, in pursuance of their 
 
 Address dated April 6, 1870. 
 
 LONDON: 
 FEINTED BY HAERISON AND SONS. 
 
 [C— 89.J Price 6d. 
 
LIST OF PAPER 
 
 No. 
 
 1. The Earl of Clarendon to 
 
 Two Inclosures. 
 
 2. Sir R. Alcock to the Earl 
 
 3. The Earl of Clarendon to 
 
 4. Sir R. Alcock to the Earl 
 
 Three Inclosures. 
 
 5. The Earl of Clarendon to 
 
 6. Mr. Hammond to the Bisl 
 
 7. Sir R. Alcock to the Earl 
 
 Five Inclosures. 
 
 8. The Bishop of Victoria to 
 
 9. The Earl of Clarendon to 
 
 Sir R. Alcock . . 
 
 of Clarendon 
 Sir R. Alcock . . 
 of Clarendon . . 
 
 Sir R. Alcock . . 
 lop of Victoria . . 
 of Clarendon 
 
 the Earl of Clarendon 
 the Bishop of Victoria 
 
 Page 
 December 18, 1868 1 
 
 March 12, 1869 2 
 
 May 19, 4 
 
 July 31, 4 
 
 October 27, 
 November 13, ■ 
 October 1, 
 
 Decemher 6, - 
 December 13, ■ 
 
 13 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 41 
 44 
 
RETURN to aD Address of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated April 6, 1870 ; 
 
 for— 
 
 " A Copy or Extracts of Correspondence with English Missionary Societies or 
 Missionaries on Inland Residence in China." 
 
 JN'o. 1. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, December 18, 1868. 
 
 I TRANSMIT herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Baptist 
 Missionary Society, stating the circumstances in which they request to be informed whether 
 British subjects have a right by Treaty to hire, purchase, or receive as a gift, land or 
 buildings in China, if natives were disposed to let, sell, or give either ; and I have to 
 instruct you to furnish me with a report upon this subject. 
 
 I inclose a copy of the answer I have caused to be addressed to the above applica- 
 tion. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLAEENDOF. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in No. 1. 
 Tfte Rev. F. Trestrail to Lord Stanley. 
 
 Baptist Mission House, 2, John Street, Bedford Row, 
 My Lord, London, December 8, 1868. 
 
 I AM directed by the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society to inquire of your 
 Lordship whether British subjects have a right by Treaty to hire, purchase, or receive as a 
 gift, land or buildings in China, if natives were disposed to let, sell, or give. 
 
 The facts on which this request is founded are briefly these : — 
 
 The Chang family, residing at Che-Hia-Hien, of whom the Chief and several others 
 had received Christian baptism — the former as long ago as 1862 — desired to give a temple 
 belonging to the family, known as the Sheie-Ma-Kung, to the Rev. Frederick Laughton, 
 our missionary at Che-foo, to be used by him for the general objects of the mission. 
 Part of this temple has been used for some time as a place of worship. At a general 
 meeting of the family it was unanimously resolved by them to give this property to the 
 
 Society, 
 
 Mr. Laughton despatched two native assistants to make diligent inquiry into the 
 matter. They met the family on the 3rd of the first month of the present Chinese year, 
 and to prevent undue haste, and to be sure that the proposal met with the concurrence of 
 all the family, they suggested that the deed should not be drawn and executed until the 
 following afternoon, so that if any one objected it might be known. At this second 
 meeting, to which all the family were summoned, no one offered any objection. The deed 
 was therefore drawn at the request of the family, and signed by Chang Hio, the head of it, 
 and some others most responsible, and representing the various branches. 
 
 Mr. Laughton, acting under the advice of Her Majesty's Consul, handed the deed to 
 him, that it might be stamped and registered in the usual manner. Shortly after this, the 
 District Magistrate of Chi Hia called Tsoo-Tsiang before him, to inquire why he had done 
 this. Several of the parties summoned were in Che-foo. With these Mr. Laughton left 
 for Chi Hia, and on arrival there he found that the Chief of the clan had been examined by 
 the District Magistrate, who heard from him that the act was that of the family. He was 
 sentenced to receive 400 blows, and two others were punished by 300 and 200 blows 
 
 respectively. 
 
 Mr. Laughton returned to Che-foo, and laid the case before Her Majesty s Consul. 
 This gentleman had previously handed the deed of gift to the Taoutae, the chief official at 
 [212] B 2 
 
the port, and he refused to set his seal to the deed, stating that foreigners had no right to 
 hold property in the interior. 
 
 It is to this point I am more particularly directed to call your Lordship's attention. 
 It is not necessary that I should detail the subsequent proceedings in the case which took 
 place before the chief official at Che-foo, nor attempt to describe his mode of dealing 
 with it, nor his insolence to Her Majesty's Consul, who was present at the examination, 
 and of whom Mr. Laughton speaks in the highest terms for his kind and patient attention 
 to the whole affair, as such details would unnecessarily occupy your Lordship's time, and 
 throw no additional light on the transaction. Suffice it to say that the Chief Magistrate 
 terminated the inquiry most hastily, sent back the men who had been brought as prisoners 
 to Che-foo for fresh punishment, and pronounced against the whole transaction. Her 
 Majesty's Consul returned the deed to Mr. Laughton, intimating that though he deemed 
 the deed good and valid, notwithstanding that two who had signed it had, through fear of 
 the District Magistrate, disowned their signature, as already described, he had informed the 
 Taoutae that it was not his intention to prosecute the claim any further. 
 
 As Christian missions are extending in China, the inquiry I have been directed to 
 make of your Lordship is one of great importance, more especially on account of the 
 events which have happened to the members of the American mission at Hang- chow. As 
 Her Majesty's ship " Rinaldo " was called up by the Consul, your Lordship must have 
 received full particulars of the affair, and the steps taken by the British authorities in that 
 district in regard to it. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) FRED. TRESTRAIL, Clerical Secretary. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 1. 
 Mr. Hammond to the Rev. P. Trestrail. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, December 17, 1868. 
 
 I AM directed by the Earl of Clarendon to acknowledge the receipt of your Memorial 
 of the 8th instant, inquiring whether British subjects have a right by 'Treaty to hire, 
 purchase, or receive as a gift, land or buildings in China, if natives are disposed to let, 
 sell, or give. 
 
 I am to state to you in reply, that as it appears from your Memorial that the special 
 point which has given rise to your inquiry has already been submitted on behalf of the 
 Society to Her Majesty's Consul at Che-foo, from whom, however, no report has yet been 
 received, Lord Clarendon must defer returning an answer until he shall have communicated 
 with Her Majesty's Minister at Peking, to whom your Memorial will be referred by the 
 outgoing mail. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
 1^0. 2. 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received May 16.) 
 
 (Extract.) Peking, March 12, 1869. 
 
 YE reply to your Lordship's despatch of the 18th of December last, I have to 
 submit the following particulars, which I think will afford all the information 
 desired : — 
 
 The right by Treaty to hire, purchase, or receive as a gift, land or buildings in China, for 
 missionary or any other purposes, away from the open ports, does not exist for British 
 subjects, save in so far as it can be shown to be a right secured to French missionaries by 
 the Convention with France signed at Peking on the 25th October, 1860. 
 
 A right of residence and a right of acquiring land or houses in the interior, both 
 appear to rest on no better foundation than a clause added to the Chinese version of the 
 Convention which has no counterpart in the French text ; and as Article III of the French 
 Treaty of 1858 stipulates that the French text shall in all cases govern, — " En cas de dissi- 
 dence ce sera toujours le texte original, et non la traduction, qui fera foi," — whatever is 
 not found in the French text cannot be held binding on either Contracting Party. 
 
 This interpolation in the Chinese text of the Ilird Article is to the following effect, 
 and forms the last sentence: — "It is, in addition, permitted to French missionaries to 
 rent and purchase land in all the provinces, and to erect buildings thereon at pleasure^" 
 
Under these circumstances, what the Chineso authorities have done appears to be 
 this/. — they have not contested either the right of residence or of acquiring laiid and 
 houses by the French missionaries, but stipulated, through the provincial authorities, that 
 no property should be acquired or held by individual missionaries, but only i'or the Church; 
 in other words, in the name and on the behalf of any Chinese convents constituting 
 a Christian community or Church established ia the interior. And tiicy have farther 
 stipulated, as Ts^ng Kwo-fan stated in his instructions to the magistrate of Chin-ldang, 
 that no land or houses should be either leased or rented, or otherwise transferred, for 
 missionary purposes until after report to the proper local authorities, and under their seal 
 and sanction. 
 
 A kind_ of prescriptive or permissive right has been allowed to grow up, by which land 
 and houses in the interior may be acquired either by hire, purchase, or gift, for missionary 
 purposes in a certain way, and under certain conditions; conditions which, it may be 
 remarked, carry with them something very like a prohibitive power on the part of the 
 local authorities, if they are inimical. For, it is perfectly well known that the power and 
 influence of the local magistracy is so great over the lives and property of Chinese subjects 
 as to preclude any individual venturing to let or to give either land or houses to mission- 
 aries or other foreigners, if warned that such act would be disapproved. 
 
 Under such conditions as these, the only answer I can give to your Lordship's inquiry 
 whether British subjects have a right by Treaty to hire, purchase, or otherwise acquire 
 land for missionary purposes in the interior, is that a conditional right appears to have 
 been adniitted, under protest, by the Chinese Government ; and that what the French 
 missionaries enjoy cannot, according to Treaty, be denied by the Chinese authorities to 
 the^ British. But, in both cases, the conditions of enjoyment are such as to make it 
 entirely contingent on the disposition of the Chinese local authority to promote or oppose 
 it, and the acquisition of any place of residence by missionaries in the face of such 
 opposition would be impossible without the direct interference of a foreign Power. The 
 recent occurrences in the district of Che-foo, at Wu-chang, opposite Han-kow, Yang- 
 chow, Chin-kiang, in the Min, and in Formosa, all prove how active is the opposition to 
 any assertion of this right, and to what dangerous extremities both authorities and 
 people proceed in order to frustrate any attempt of missionaries to establish a new 
 domicile in the interior. Even in the older fields of missionary labour, such as the 
 Romanist missions for the most part occupy, their presence is a continual source of 
 danger. These are untoward results of proselytizing labours, and tend greatly to 
 complicate relations both political and commercial. The effect is to retard all progress. 
 And whatever the force or character of the right of residence derived from the tolerance of 
 the Chinese in the case of the French, it remains a serious question for Her Majesty's 
 Grovernment to decide, whether they will demand for British missionaries the same facilities 
 and privileges that are claimed by the French Government for the Romish missions in 
 the interior. Because certain terms have been conceded to these, it does not follow that 
 the British Government must of necessity accept the same, with all their consequences 
 of grave complications and national responsibilities. It is, I conceive, a matter in which 
 Her Majesty's Government may exercise a free option, and accept or decline as they 
 see fit. 
 
 Whatever the attendant evils of a religious propaganda in the interior of China may 
 
 be, it is not in the power of Her Majesty's Government to avert them altogether by 
 
 declining to claim anyright of residence for missionaries in the interior, though it may 
 
 cease to be responsible for the acts of British missions, and refuse them all claim to 
 
 protection. Certain pretensions of the missionaries to supersede the civil power would 
 
 either cease to exist or be less boldly pushed, knowing that they were no longer backed 
 
 by any foreign Power, and although a few of the less temperate or more zealous 
 
 missionaries might invite martyrdom, the bulk of them would, I am inclined to believe, 
 
 escape serious molestation; while their converts, learning wisdom and moderation from 
 
 their religious teachers, vrould no longer provoke the hostility of surrounding populations, 
 
 and be exposed to persecutions. 1 do not believe the progress of truth and religion 
 
 would suffer; but the hazard to the preacher, and the danger of social convulsions 
 
 and political disturbances, would be less. All the Treaty Powers have followed our 
 
 example, and claimed religious toleration. The Imperial Government, I believe, has no 
 
 wish to v.ithdraw the right conceded — certainly not on any religious grounds. If what 
 
 is nov/ asserted as a right were to become permissive only, and therefore at the option 
 
 of the Chinese Government, I think we might count upon the influence of the foreign 
 
 Representatives for the power not being exercised oppressively and in an intolerant 
 
 spirit, but only for the removal of intemperate missionaries, who, by their conduct or 
 
 pretensions, might endanger the peace of any locality. I think the position of inland 
 
missions, instead of being deteriorated or imperilled, would, upon the whole, be made 
 more secure and less liable to hostility and serious molestation. 
 
 No. 3. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, May 19, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 12th of March in regard to the residence 
 of missionaries in the interior of Ciiina, and I have to acquaint you in reply that I 
 have read 3'our clear and conclusive despatch with great interest. 
 
 I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government agree with you that it is not 
 incumbent on them to insist in favour of British missionaries on the privileges conceded 
 to Eoman Catholic missionaries, and brave the consequences of doing so. But still less 
 would they feel disposed to do so, when, as appears to be the case, the privileges claimed 
 for the Roman Catholic missionaries rest on no sound foundation, but on an interpolation 
 of words in the Chinese version alone of the French Treaty with China. 
 
 You will, therefore, not allow British missionaries to suppose that, in virtue of that 
 interpolation, Her Majesty's Government can support their pretensions to any other 
 privilege of residence and locomotion in China than British subjects in general may 
 enjoy, and should it be necessary, you will warn them that if they seek to assert greater 
 privileges they will do so at their own risk and responsibility, and must not expect any 
 action or forcible interference on the part of Her Majesty's Government for their relief. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 No. 4. 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received October 18.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, July 31, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose a letter addressed to me by the Eev. Joseph 
 Edkins and others, British missionaries resident in Peking, together with my reply, in 
 which I have declined entering into anj'' controversy concerning the views I have thought 
 it my duty to submit to Her Majesty's Government on matters of public policy. 
 
 I doubt not this course will meet with approval, more especially as your Lordship's 
 despatch of the 19th of May last decides the main question raised by Mr. Edkins and his 
 colleagues as to the policy of Her Majesty's Government claiming a right of domicile in 
 the interior of China for Protestant missionaries. 
 
 Since the writers of the inclosed letters, however, impugn the correctness of many of 
 the statements and opinions on the subject of missionary operations in China conveyed in 
 my despatches, I have thought it right to place on record, and for reference if necessary, 
 side by side with the charges of inaccuracy and error, the refutation and grounds of 
 justification, in a Memorandum which I shall have the honour to transmit to your Lordship 
 by the next mail. 
 
 I have .adopted this course in preference to attempting any review of the arguments 
 employed by those who object to my conclusions, because the whole document is long, and 
 the arguments so discursive that to have followed them seriatim would have entailed a 
 despatch nearly as lengthy. 
 
 I will only farther add that I see no reason to modify the views submitted to your 
 Lordship in my despatch on this subject of the 12th March last. I am still of opinion that, 
 if the course there indicated could be followed, the position of the Protestant missions 
 would be improved instead of deteriorated, and their sphere of usefulness enlarged. The 
 missionaries would work in greater security, and a perpetual source of danger to both 
 nations would be avoided. Christianity might then take root in the soil, and be regarded 
 with as little ill-will or jealousy as either Buddhism or Mahommedanism, both importations 
 from the "West, and left undisturbed side by side, although each counting their millions of 
 votaries, simply because both are subject to the law, and neither have any pretensions, 
 either in their teachers or converts, to set themselves above it, and create an imperium in 
 imperio, and a foreign influence subversive of the territorial authority. 
 
 Such a course might demand more patience and great moderation, but, rightly 
 considered, I am firmly persuaded it would tend to allay all existing jealousy and enmity, 
 and in the end prove anything but restrictive ; while it would remove many obstacles 
 which now prevent any extended sphere of operations in the interior. As it is, the men 
 in office, equally with the gentry, or those that have retired, and the literati, who are the 
 
aspirants, thus comprising three generations, as it were, of educated Chinese, see in 
 missionaries agents of a revolutionary propaganda, and view them far more in the light of 
 political instruments of encroachment than as teachers of religion. For the latter they 
 would care little, and would leave them unopposed ; but the bare suspicion of the former 
 unites them as one man against the whole race of missionaries, — Roman Catholic and 
 Protestant, English, French, and American. 
 
 Since writing the above, I have received a memorandum from the Tsungli Yam6n, of 
 which I inclose a translation, on the subject of missionaries. I think your Lordship will 
 see in this official opinion of the Yamen full confirmation of nearly all I have stated in 
 reference to inland missions, and the disadvantages attending them. 
 
 I have, &c, 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALOOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 1 in N'o. 4. 
 Th^ Rev. J. Edkins and others to Sir R, Alcoch. 
 
 Sir, Peking, July 14, 1869. 
 
 IS recent despatches to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign 
 Affairs, quoted by Lord Clarendon in the House of Lords, and commented on by the 
 leading English newspapers, you have entered somewhat at length into the subject of 
 Protestant missions in China, and we, Protestant missionaries resident in Peking, desire to 
 address you, and through you Her Majesty's G-overnment on some of the points brought 
 forward by you. 
 
 These despatches, copious extracts from which you have courteously furnished us 
 with, strongly advocate a restrictive policj- with reference to Protestant missionary 
 operations in the interior of China, principally on the ground of the " implacable hostility 
 entertained by the Chinese authorities and the official class in China towards all 
 missionaries," and also because of the injury that will accrue to our commercial relations 
 in China, if missionaries are permitted to domicile themselves in the interior. If Lord 
 Clarendon's speech in the House of Lords on the 5th of April last is rightly reported in 
 the " London and China Express," he states it as his opinion that "it is absolutely 
 necessary that the missionaries should not establish themselves in the interior," and 
 again that " it is expedient that the missionaries should confine themselves to the 
 Treaty ports, exercising even there great judgment." 
 
 In regard to the first point you have represented the arrogant pretensions of the 
 Roman Catholic missionaries as one cause of hostility to al] missionary labours. It is 
 no doubt one cause, and we are as conscious of the mischief of such arrogance as your 
 Excellency can he. But in giving the hostility of the Chinese to missionaries as a 
 reason why Protestant missionaries should be restrained in their operations, the nature 
 of that hostility and the principal causes of it should be distinctly mentioned. 
 
 It is well-known and understood in China, that the hostility entertained by the 
 Chinese to Protestant missionaries is not directed against them as a class, but as 
 foreigners. And the causes of that hostility are the hatred of other races which the 
 Chinese have always had, the repeated defeats inflicted on the Chinese Grovernment by 
 England, and the evils connected with the opium trade. 
 
 The Chinese look on missionaries as representatives of all foreigners, and all 
 foreigners they believe to be encroachers on the rights of others, seekers after money 
 and territory, or opium-sellers. Almost every abusive placard that has been issued 
 against Protestant missionaries, has charged them either with secret designs of conquest 
 or with being engaged in the coolie and opium trades, and making the teaching of virtue 
 a cloak for these abominations. A missionary was not long ago driven out of a large 
 city in the Province of Honan by a mob, led on by the native gentry, the cause of whose 
 hatred to him was given in these words shouted after him as he left the city, "You 
 burned our palace, you killed our Emperor, you sell poison to the people, and now you 
 come professing to teach us virtue !" These charges sufficiently indicate other and 
 deeper, and to the Chinese more generally understood causes of hostility than the 
 pretensions of some Roman Catholic Bishops, or even the well-known and much to be 
 deplored Protectorate of Chinese Christians by France. Such charges show beyond a 
 doubt that the Protestant missionary sufiers not as a missionary, but as a foreigner. He 
 suffers from a hostility which he has had no share in provoking. Mr. Taylor's expulsion 
 from Yang- chow is a proof of this, inasmuch as the attack was made on him and his 
 party before he had had time to commence missionary operations, 'So general argument 
 
6 
 
 tlien against the establishment of Protestant missions in the interior, can be founded on 
 the troubles which Protestant missionaries have recently met with in certain inland 
 towns. 
 
 Ton have directed Lord Clarendon's special attention to a placard that was posted 
 towards the end of last year on the gates of Shanghae, which you think showed unmis- 
 takeably " what are the prevailing opinions of the educated and official classes respecting 
 Christianity, as it has presented itself to their minds, and through them been conveyed 
 to the common people wliom they lead." " It is only indeed," you further say, "by the 
 light of such documents that we can see how it may be true, as has been said, that the 
 minds of the Chinese are ' set like the nether-millstone ' against the teaching of 
 missionaries." The contents of the placard will, we think, hardly bear out such a state- 
 ment as this. It was directed principally against the Roman Catholics, and accused them 
 of eating babies' flesh and gouging out the eyes of the dying. This mode of attacking 
 the Romish religion has become common on the part of the Heathen Chinese for many 
 years, and was by no means a new charge when the placard in question was issued. The 
 same thing might occur in any city at any time. The ignorance of the native population 
 leads to the belief of such stories. They have arisen from a misunderstanding of the 
 rites of baptism, the Sacrament of the Host, and extreme unction. The Protestant 
 missionaries are of course classed with the Roman Catholics, and hence these foolish 
 charges against us. The ruling classes know that these charges are false, but they 
 invent them for the purpose of deluding the common people and stirring up their hatred 
 to foreigners. They are of a piece with the notion held by some of the common people, 
 and put forth some years ago in an anonymous placard posted on the walls of i^ingpo 
 and Hang-chow, that foreign opium is made by pounding the bones and flesh and blood 
 of coolies who had been stolen from China for this purpose, and are equally unworthy 
 of grave consideration. 
 
 The injury that will accrue to our "material interests" in China, if missionaries 
 are permitted to domicile themselves in the interior, you give as another reason for 
 restraining them from doing so. '•' Commerce," you say, " its extension and free 
 development was, the first great object of the Treaty of Tien-tsin." "It is futile to graft 
 on to a Treaty of Commerce a proselytizing agency for the conversion of the nation to 
 Christianity.'' You entertain strong opinions against " the wisdom of present efforts for 
 the establishment of Protestant missions beyond the circle of the ports." You " have 
 no doubt whatever as to the risk incurred, and the evil consequences to be anticipated 
 from persistent eff'orts in this direction upon all material interests and progressive 
 improvements in our relations with the rules and people of China." 
 
 As commerce is thus put into the foreground as the one only object of Great 
 Britain in China, it is impossible to refrain from asking what has been the nature of that 
 commerce -^vhich we have forced upon the Chinese ? Has it been such as only to benefit 
 the people, or has it been such as to demoralize them ? We fear that the result of British 
 commerce in China has rather had the latter effect than the former. The main branch 
 of British commerce in China is opium, an article which the Chinese believe to have been 
 the cause of our first war with China, and which, however eagerly it may be sought after, 
 they regard as injurious to them mentally, morally, and physically. STow, how does the 
 trade in opium compare with that in tea and silk ? It cannot surely be sulaject for self- 
 congratulation on the matter of our commerce with China, that there is very little 
 difference annually between the total value of the opium imported from India into China, 
 and that of all the tea and silk exported from China to England, and elsewhere. Let 
 the following statistics speak for themselves: — 
 
 Taels. 
 In 1867 the total amount of Indian opium imported into China was 88,148 piculs, 
 
 25,582 piculs of which were smuggled into China from Hong Kong. In 
 
 silver the total value of this opium was .. .. .. .. 45,071,357 
 
 In the same year (1867) the total amount of tea exported to all countries from 
 
 China was 1,122,384 piculs, the value of which in silver was . . . . 33,754,009 
 
 The total amount of silk exported to all countries from China during the same 
 
 year was 39,299 piculs, the value of which in silver was ,. ., 15,724,380 
 
 Total value of tea and silk exported in 1867 . . . . 49,478,389 
 
 This shows that the total value of the tea and silk exported from China to all 
 countries in ISGTj exceeded the total value of the one article of opium imported from 
 India into China, chiefly by British merchants, during the same year, only by about 
 4,500,000 taels. Opium then may be considered as the main branch of British 
 commerce in China ; and, however opinions may differ as to the amount of injury inflicted 
 
by this drug on those who use it, no one will defend it on the ground of its being in any 
 sense beneficial to the people. The Chinese themselves, whether they use it or not, 
 regard it as injurious. The enormous advance of the amount imported from India since 
 the early years of its introduction, is a cause, far more than a result, of the immense 
 demand for it. It has given an impetus to the growth of native opium which, as in 
 Szechuen, is gradually superseding the foreign article. Since the opening of the 
 Tang-tsze, the native drug in the interior has become one-half cheaper, and the number 
 of smokers has been trebled. " The cultivation of the poppy," said one of the censors in 
 a Memorial recently addressed to the Emperor on this subject, " has been substituted for 
 cereal productions over vast tracts of the "Western and ]S"orthern provinces, so as in some 
 parts to occasion a rise in the price of food." For this, and all the other injuries 
 entailed by opium, British commerce is responsible, and yet it is in the interests of 
 British commerce that Protestant missionaries are to be restrained from penetrating into 
 the interior. ^ Missionary operations are represented as almost the one obstacle to 
 "progressive improvements," while it is implied that commerce, if once freed from its 
 connection with these operations, would only advance the cause of progress. 
 
 In opposition to this, we maintain that honourable commerce has nothing to fear 
 from Protestant missionaries, but everything to gain. Merchants, as a rule, cannot make 
 themselves understood among the people, as they but rarely learn their language; 
 British officials, if they do know the language, mix but little among the native population. 
 Protestant missionaries learn the language, mix with the people, and throw their influence 
 aU on the side of morality, peace, and good-will. They go about, not as represented, 
 merely to proselytize to a certain " set of dogmas," but to teach all whom they can reach 
 the first great principles of morality, and to explain the desires and aims of the better 
 portion of the English in coming among them. They have opened hospitals for the 
 healing of the sick ; and they frequently spend time, and health, and strength, in 
 ministering to the physical wants of the poor. They live among the Chinese on a 
 friendly footing, diffhse information, receive the Chinese cheerfully in their houses, and 
 constantly inculcate in them the practice of virtue and religion. The native women are 
 visited by the wives of the missionaries ; kindly intercourse is maintained, the hearts of 
 the people are won, and England, both in its lawful commerce, and its political interests, 
 is only a gainer, never a loser, by the residence among the Chinese of the missionary 
 famihes. The more there is of this sort of influence, the better it will be both for 
 Chinese and English ; and this will be especially the case in inland towns, where foreigners 
 are only known as " devils," or " barbarians." To have Protestant mission hospitals and 
 schools established in such cities under the care of general and medical missionaries, well 
 qualified by education, such as you have known during your long residence in China, 
 would work well — if it might not be shown to be almost the only practical method — ^for 
 the removal of prejudice, and the spread of knowledge. 
 
 But we shall be told, that however beneficial the presence of missionaries might be 
 in the interior, it almost inevitably brings with it complications between the native and 
 foreign Governments, But this is not, as we have shown, because of the way in which 
 missionaries propagate Christianity, nor is it on religious grounds at all, but simply 
 because they are foreigners. The same troubles would have arisen had a body of 
 merchants or scientific men attempted to domicile themselves in those places out of 
 which missionaries have recently been driven. Our merchants are urging freer access to 
 the interior, and even permission to reside in inland towns for purposes of trade ; and 
 these demands cannot be put off much longer. When complications arise between 
 merchants penetrating into the interior, and the proud, ignorant, ruling class, will the 
 British Minister of that day argue that British commerce leads only to the embroiling of 
 the two Governments, and advise that the merchants be confined again to the open 
 ports ? 
 
 Complications must arise from time to time in the opening up of this country to 
 foreigners, and it rather becomes Her Majesty's Representatives in China to meet those 
 difficulties, and to try every moral means to overcome them, than to advise retrogression 
 in order to get rid of them. And they could not have a better opportunity of making 
 this attempt, than in dealing with the settling of missionaries in the interior. Protestant 
 missionaries ask for neither gun-boats nor soldiers to protect them. The use of force, in 
 connection with missionary operations, is most abhorrent to their feelings. All they ask 
 for is, that their authorities — Minister in Peking, and Consuls in the ports — ^will exert a 
 friendly influence, so far as they possibly can, on the Chinese rulers to insist on protection 
 being given to all British subjects travelling or residing in the interior, so long as they 
 comply with the conditions of their passports. Sometimes this has been tried, and tried 
 with success. A case in point occurred not far from Peking, about two years ago, in 
 
 [212] 
 
8 
 
 connection with the persecution of some native converts made by English Protestant 
 missionaries. The British Consul at Tien-tsin asked Chuni* How, the Imperial Superin- 
 tendent of Foreign Trade in North China, to check the local magistrate, the Governor of 
 Lau Ling, a city distant 170 miles from Tien-tsin, in his persecution of the native 
 converts at that place. The mission there was in very flourishing state previous to this 
 persecution, which was carried on by the magistrate at the instigation of the native 
 gentry. A Proclamation was very kindly sent to the neighbourhood by Chung How, and 
 the grievance ceased. If this can be done in the case of native converts, who might be 
 persecuted in such a variety of ways without being able to appeal to law, we think that, 
 if perseveringly and earnestly tried in the case of British subjects, the same plan might 
 also prove successful. At all events, if such means fail, missionaries generally, we feel 
 confident, would rather retire to some other place than entail the horrors of war on any 
 town. It is unjust to speak of missionaries as anxious to fall back on Her Majesty's 
 naval and military forces to help them in their work. 
 
 We must demur to your Excellency's statement, that " the British authorities, as a 
 rule, are neither consulted nor even advised by the missionaries of the steps the several 
 independent members or bodies of diverse missions decide upon." Missionaries, as a 
 rule, never travel without a passport, and this has always to be applied for at the Con- 
 sulates. The Consuls, therefore, have every opportunity of inquiring into the movements 
 of missionaries on applying for their passports, and acquainting themselves, if they think 
 fit, with the steps these missionaries intend to take. This system gives to Her Majesty's 
 Grovernment all the " direct control" that is necessary over their proceedings. 
 
 If it be asked on what grounds the Protestant missionaries claim the right of 
 residence in the interior, and ask the British Minister and Consuls to help them to this 
 in the way already indicated, we reply : — 
 
 1. The Chinese Government has, as a matter of fact, conceded to the Soman 
 Catholic missionaries the right to go into the interior, and to settle themselves there 
 for the purpose of teaching their religion ; and, by the " favoured-nation" clause in the 
 English Treaty, the same right is ceded to the English missionaries. Although this 
 concession is not found in the French text of the French Treaty, and although for 
 political reasons the Chinese Government would, as is well known, be glad if it could be 
 withdrawn, it is a fact that the French missionaries are allowed this privilege, and you 
 have yourself argued that, " what the French missionaries enjoy cannot, according to 
 Treaty, be denied by the Chinese authorities to the British." 
 
 2. It is well known that the present policy of the Chinese Government during the 
 remainder of the Emperor's minority is neither to recede nor to advance. Anxious to 
 leave the responsibility of new changes with the Emperor himself, they wish to persuade 
 the Treaty Powers to wait a few years before introducing any new principles into the 
 relations of the countries. Hence you have said to Lord Clarendon that the Imperial 
 Government has no wish to withdraw, at least on religious grounds, the right conceded 
 to missionaries. 
 
 3. The Chinese Government, by their Ambassador, the Honourable Anson Bur- 
 lingame, has announced to the different Western Powers the principle of entire 
 reciprocity as that on which they desire henceforth to conduct their intercourse with 
 friendly foreign nations. This certainly implies as much liberty to the foreigner in 
 China as is granted to the Chinese in the West. Mr. Burlingame further explained and 
 illustrated this new Chinese policy in his famous New York speech, in which, so far as 
 missionaries are concerned, he said that " China invited Protestant missionaries to plant 
 the shining Cross on every hill and in every valley." As this and similar assertions by 
 the Chinese Envoy have produced fruit in the action of the British Government towar(& 
 its subjects in China, we are entitled either to ask the Chinese Government to repudiate 
 Mr. Burlingame's Treaties and speeches or to claim from them the benefit of his public 
 declarations. 
 
 We would gladly stop here, believing that we have sufficiently vindicated the 
 beneficial nature of Protestant missions and their right, in accordance with the existing 
 condition of things in China, to establishment in the interior. But you have thought good 
 in enforcing your " opinion of the necessary connection of missionary labours with 
 commercial interests as an obstacle to progress and improved political relations," to allude 
 to several points in connection with Protestant missionaries — their faulty mode of 
 procedure, their imperfections, their disputes with each other and with the Eoman 
 Catholic missionaries, their sympathy with the Taeping rebels, and the revolutionary 
 nature of the doctrines which they teach — as proofs that " no good can come out of such 
 instrumentality." You cannot be surprised that we entirely disagree with you in thi^ 
 conclusion ; and we think we can show that your premises, on which you ground your 
 conclusion, cannot be sustained. 
 
9 
 
 "You have conveyed the impression to Her Majesty's Government that Protestant 
 missionaries make no attempt to reach the ruling class in China. This is an opinion 
 that has heen dwelt upon lately in certain circles, until it has come to be accepted almost 
 as an undoubted fact. We assert, on the other hand, that it is not a fact, and mention in 
 proof of our assertion, that nearly 100 works on science, medicine, history and 
 geography, law, and miscellaneous subjects, have been published in China by Protestant 
 missionaries. These works have been composed in a style so acceptable to the learned 
 class, that men belonging to this class, when acting as Governors and Viceroys, have 
 reprinted at their own expense not a few of them, thus adding them to the permanent 
 literature of the country. The missionaries then have not neglected the higher classeg, 
 but have already succeeded in interesting no small number among them in various 
 departments of knowledge. In the translation of works adapted to this end, the object 
 has been to inform the minds of the Chinese, so as to remove their prejudices, to induce 
 them to think -with candour, and thus pave the way for presenting Christianity to their 
 attention. 
 
 In connection with the above charge, we have often heard of late that missionaries 
 are only half-educated men. You yourself have spoken of missionaries in terms that 
 would suggest such a charge as this when you speak of " the human instruments brought 
 to bear upon the Chinese people for their conversion," as " seemingly ill-adapted to 
 secure the end proposed." "It is vain to hope," you continue, " for the conversion of a 
 shrewd, rationalistic, and sceptical nation like the Chinese by instrumentality so imperfect." 
 Whether you intended this to convey the impression that these " human instruments " 
 were " imperfectly educated " or not, is not very clear; but it is a fact that, from this 
 and similar statements, the whole Protestant missionary body has been so represented 
 in the " Times," the " Pall Mall Gazette," and other newspapers. Will the following 
 facts bear out this charge ? All the Chinese dictionaries yet made for English students 
 of Chinese are the work of Protestant missionaries ; the conductors and principal writers 
 in the Chinese Repository, an invaluable mine of information on almost every Chinese 
 subject, highly prized by all who wish to become acquainted with this country, were 
 Protestant missionaries ; the author of one of the best works on China, " The Middle 
 Kingdom," taken as a text-book among the Student Interpreters of the British Legation, 
 was a Protestant missionary ; the translator of the Chinese classics is a Protestant 
 missionary; the translator into Chinese of "Wheaton's International Law," whose work 
 was printed at the expense of the Chinese Government, is a Protestant missionary. One 
 of the principal professorships in the 'New University which the Chinese Government are 
 said to be desirous of establishing in Peking, is fiUed by a Protestant missionary. The 
 only writers in Chinese on subjects that will elevate this people, morally and intellectually, 
 are missionaries. Is this class of men worthy to be branded in the House of Lords as 
 *' rascals or enthusiasts," and in the leading English newspapers as ignorant, or at best 
 half-educated men ? 
 
 Lord Clarendon has represented you as stating that there are grave " differences " 
 (by which we suppose disputes and bickerings are meant) between the Protestant and 
 Roman Catholic missionaries, and he refers to certain " unseemly instances " of these 
 " differences " which you have given in your despatches. 
 
 We know of no such disputes between Protestant and Eoman Catholic missionaries. 
 Mr, Wylie in his memorials of the Protestant missionaries, recently published, gives a list 
 of nearly 700 publications in China by those missionaries, living and dead. Among 
 them there is none directed specially against the Eoman Catholic missionaries. The 
 *' instances " given do not bear out the charge of disputes. 
 
 The first is that an objection was made by M. Simon, French Vice-Consul at 
 li^ingpo, to the "Pilgrim's Progress," translated some years ago into Chinese by the 
 Rev. W. C. Burns, now deceased. This work of Bunyan, teaching Christianity by means 
 of an allegory, being a remarkable work of genius, and a highly useful exponent of 
 Christianity, has been translated into a large number of languages, and it has never been 
 thought necessary to expunge those passages, few and brief, which refer to the Eoman 
 Catholics. M, Simon thought that one passage spoke disrespectfully of the Pope, and 
 made an official complaint to the British authorities on this account. Surely this is no 
 proof of bickerings between Protestant and Eoman Catholic missionaries. Sensible 
 Roman Catholics themselves would ridicule such a complaint as foolish and paltry, for 
 which M. Simon is alone responsible. 
 
 The " second instance " was a denunciation of Protestant books by Eoman Catholic 
 authority in China. It was stated that the books of the Protestants were '' obscene," and 
 that the readers and authors were all in danger of damnation. This again is rather an 
 instance of intemperate language used by an individual provoked apparently by the rapid 
 
 C 2 
 
10 
 
 spread of Protestant Christianity in his neighbourhood than a proof of disputes between 
 Protestants and Romanists. Such injudicious persons are to be found everywhere, and it 
 is most unfair on their account to involve both bodies in one sweeping condemnation, 
 when you say that the above immoderate language "justifies the conclusion that sectarian 
 hatreds rather than Christianity must be the result of such teaching on either side," as if 
 this was the constant teaching of one or of both sides ! 
 
 With reference to the disputes of missionaries as to the best term by which to 
 express the name of God in China, we can only record our surprise at finding such an 
 argument brought forward at all against missionaries. We have much that we could say 
 on the subject, but we refrain from entering on it, as we do not see what the British 
 Government can have to do with our discussions on a purely philological question. 
 
 You have further alluded, in strong terms of condemnation, to the sympathy which 
 many of the Protestant missionaries manifested towards the Taeping rebels. But British 
 naval officers and British Consuls^ and even the then Governor of Hong Kong, are 
 involved in the same condemnation. The profession of Christianity by a body of men 
 who marched through the country from Canton to Blanking without one single check, 
 and gave out as their object the subversion of the reigning dynasty, was enough to startle 
 all- foreign residents into inquiry into the meaning of such profession. And it did so. 
 Naval officers. Consuls, the British Government, the general public were all interested, 
 and more or less sympathized at first with the movement. It would have been strange 
 indeed had missionaries stood aloof from it. It was principally through missionaries that 
 information respecting the self-styled Christian views of the Taepings was looked for and 
 obtained, and it will be in your recollection that Lord Clarendon sent his thanks to 
 Dr. Medhurst for his translation of certain tracts and papers issued by the insurgents. 
 When the nature of the movement became more plain, comparatively few of the mission, 
 aries hoped anything from it, and but one allied himself with it. Is the whole body to be 
 held responsible for any want of judgment in one, or at most, in two or three of its 
 members ? It is utterly unfair to speak of the whole body of Protestant missionaries as 
 " hailing the Taepings as heralds of Christianity;" or as men who will render " sympathy 
 to the first band of pirates and robbers who can gather elements of disturbance about 
 them." Such a sweeping condemnation condemns itself. 
 
 In your despatch of the 8th December you dwell much on the political and 
 revolutionary tendencies of Christianity, and argue that, as the missionary, from the 
 very nature of the doctrines he teaches, must of necessity teach revolution, he ought to 
 be restrained from going into the interior, and you leave the impression on the reader of 
 your despatch that you think it would be decidedly for the peace of China if Christianity 
 and its emissaries were excluded altogether from the country. 
 
 It is an old accusation against Christianity on the part of the heathen, that it 
 teaches revolution — but by this they mean only one aspect of revolution, namely, 
 sedition. Christ Himself was accused of "stirring up sedition." His apostles also had 
 to meet the charge, although we find in their writings the enforcement on their converts, 
 in the strongest possible way, of obedience to the "Powers that be." When the 
 Chinese accuse Christianity of being revolutionary, they also mean that it teaches 
 sedition. Now we know this is untrue. Christianity may be revolutionary of customs 
 and opinions, but it is not seditious. The heathen have made this mistake because of 
 their ignorance of responsibility to a Divine Power, and their inability to comprehend 
 the principle that " God must be obeyed before men." But the ignorance of the heathen 
 on this point constitutes the very ground of missions. Men must be taught that there is 
 a Divine Power in the world and that all, without exception, are responsible to it. 
 Surely no Christian man or Christian Government can be opposed to this, or forbid 
 missionaries to preach Christianity because the heathen entertain an ignorant objection 
 to it, which has no foundation in fact. And yet from your despatch you seem to think 
 it a valid objection. 
 
 But whilst we contend that the Chinese view of Christianity, being revolutionary, is 
 wrong, and therefore no argument against missions, we are free to acknowledge that 
 Christianity does produce revolutions. It would be worth very little if it did not 
 revolutionize the countries which accept it. But the very presence of Anglo-Saxons in 
 the East is revolutionary, and therefore we are warranted in arguing that if Christianity 
 is to be banished because of its tendency to produce changes, the British and American 
 Governments ought to recall every Anglo-Saxon in China. 
 
 Whether it arises from his religion, or his civilization, or from something inherent 
 in his race, the Anglo-Saxon wherever he goes among the semi-civilized Pagan nations 
 of the East is sure, sooner or later, to produce a revolution. This has been seen in 
 India, in China, and in Japan, and in each case the revolution, whether complete or 
 
11 
 
 partial, has been unconnected with missionaries. The East India Company zealously 
 excluded missionaries from India at first, and yet were the means of subverting every' 
 native Government. In Japan missionaries have not been allowed to propagate 
 Christianity since its recent opening to foreign intercourse, and yet it is a significant 
 fact that within ten years of this event a great revolution has taken place in the 
 Government of that country. In China changes have been made that are equivalent to 
 a revolution. The reigning dynasty was at one time all but overturned, and if it has 
 now any strength, it is all owing to the influence of those very foreign Powers that had 
 well nigh caused its overthrow. 
 
 If the despotic Governments of the East are to be left unimpaired, if nothing must 
 be done which is at all likely to interfere with the ideas on which they are founded, then 
 we have no right to bring to China the laws or the commerce of Christendom, and force 
 the Chinese to accept them. Both are revolutionary in such countries as China and 
 Japan. Both break up the established order of things. Both introduce elements of 
 Western progress, utterly uncongenial with, or rather hostile to, the stagnation of Eastern 
 Pagan despotisms. The settlement in Peking of a British Minister at the point of the 
 bayonet, and the demand that he shall be treated as Ambassadors in the West are 
 treated, are far more subversive of all the Chinese ideas of government than the 
 teaching of missionaries. 
 
 Are we wrong then in having come to China ? Must we apologize to the Chinese 
 for all the defeats we have inflicted on them, and the changes we have made amongst 
 them socially and politically, and forthwith take our departure? Are the British 
 Government likely to repent of all the injury they have done to Chinese exclusiveness- 
 and pride, and to withdraw all their officials and their subjects from China on the ground 
 that our presence here is revolutionary ? Shall we not rather be told that it is too late 
 now even to moot the question, whether Western nations ought or ought not to force 
 their intercourse on an unwilling heathen people ? The thing has been done, is being 
 done, and wiU continue to be done. The nations of the West seem to be brought hither 
 by a necessity over which they have no control. They bring their commerce, their 
 civilization, and their religion with them, and it is beating the air to argue against the 
 introduction of them simply because they will produce revolutions. 
 
 China, it is admitted on all hands, needs a revolution. Its ignorance, its 
 superstitions, its pride, its exclusiveness, — all require to be changed. Until this is done, 
 foreign intercourse of any kind will be a perpetual source of danger to individuals, of 
 complication between the Governments. The Christian religion is the only means by 
 which such a change can be brought about, and in due time it will efllect this change in 
 China, as it has done in the nations of the West, Its propagators, so long as they 
 cannot be proved to be breaking the laws of China, ask only that no hindrance shall be 
 thrown in the way of Christianity, and in the long run it will be found that even the 
 "material interests" of Great Britain in China will by this course be advanced. 
 
 (Signed) ' JOSEPH EDKHJ^S, Missionary of the London 
 
 Missionary Society. 
 JOBS' S. BUKDON, Missionary of the Church 
 
 Missionary Society. 
 WILLIAM H. COLLIKS, Missionary of the- 
 
 Church Missionary Society. 
 JOHN DUDGEOl^r, Medical Missionary, 
 
 London Missionary Society. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in "No. 4. 
 
 Si^ R. Alcock to the Rev. J. Edkins and others. 
 
 Gentlemen, Peking, July 18, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th instant on the subject 
 of Protestant missions in China, and, according to your desire, a copy shall be forwarded 
 to Her Majesty's Secretary of State by the next mail, accompanied by such comments as 
 may seem necessary to correct errors of statement and prevent misapprehension as to my 
 
 views. 
 
 This is the more necessary, as you have, in not a few instances, confounded together 
 opinions and views conveyed in despatches to Her Majesty's Government as mine, with 
 others for which I am not in any way responsible, while you have at the same time drawn 
 
1-4 
 
 inferences supposed to be based on the former, which, even when they are separated from 
 their context, they do not justify. As such a process is eminently calculated to mislead, 
 I, think it right to notify the fact in anticipation of your giving publicity to^ you 
 letter. 
 
 If Lord Clarendon should think it either necessary or expedient, he wUl no doubt 
 direct an answer to be returned ; and in the meantime I cannot, as Her Majesty's Minister 
 here, enter into a controversy as to the opinions I may consider it my duty to submit to 
 Her Majesty's Government for their information in mattersof national interest and policy. 
 If you think them erroneous, in so far as they are known to you, in matters nearly touching 
 your own interests and mission, I am glad that you should have an opportunity of 
 expressing your opinions, but I cannot discuss them with you. 
 
 I flfliVP & C" 
 
 (Signed) ' RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 4. 
 Memorandum from the Tsung-li Yamen to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE object of the missionary, no matter where he comes from, is to inculcate virtue. 
 But their converts are not all alike ; they are good and bad. The bad constantly look to 
 their creed for protection, so as to compromise the good name of missions and render them 
 universally unacceptable. But in addition to this the missionaries, desirous only of a large 
 number of proselytes, make no inquiries into the every-day behaviour of their converts, 
 but accept whoever chooses to come. Once they are members of the church, the good 
 men among them will doubtless continue the practice of virtue ; but the vicious ones wiU 
 merely use their position to oppress their fellow-people. By degrees dislike and suspicion 
 accumulate and result in a condition of complete antagonism.* The feuds between the 
 Christians and the populace which are now constantly occurring in various parts are 
 doubtless well known to his Excellency the British Minister. 
 
 Although the creeds and sects of foreign nations are various, the people having no 
 means of discriminating, know only one general term, " the foreign missionary," and an 
 unfounded tale, into which the people will not stop to inquire, will raise a tumult against 
 any of them. The occurrences at Yang-chow are a proof of this. 
 
 If complete and effective precautions are not taken a great calamity must be aroused. 
 It wUl be right, then, to draw up regulations which will prevent the Christian converts 
 from making protests against their fellow people, and will also prevent the non-Christian 
 part of the community from bullying the Christians. 
 
 Moreover, as is the case with the Taorist and Buddhist consistories, the missionaries 
 themselves should be under the superintendence of the local authority. For as the mis- 
 sionary is desirous to make his home in China and extend his operations, and would be 
 considered as a Chinese by the Chinese, he should take the native standpoint. 
 
 There is a case a propos in Buddhism, which came also from the West. Its votaries 
 and the Chinese, each respecting their own creed, have ever harmonized together ; for 
 though the creeds are dissimilar, th.e. preachers are alike under Government control. 
 
 Even in the case of Confucianism, the most venerable of all the creeds in China, a 
 person whose degree of Han Lin, or Doctor, would confer official rank, if he return home 
 and take neophytes under his tuition, would again come under official control. This is an 
 invariable rule. 
 
 Many missionaries have adopted the Chinese habit without obeying Chinese laws. 
 They thus separate themselves from the people and manifest a superiority. Their con- 
 verts, improving on this, oppress and insult those who are not of their faith, and learn to 
 oppose the Government. It is not to be wondered at if men's minds accumulate ill-feeling 
 and if there be a prevalent feeling of alarm. It only remains to put them (missionaries 
 and converts) under the direct control of local officials ; but these should be prevented 
 from being oppressive : then each party having its measure of justice, there need be no 
 fear of accidents. 
 
 The matter is one which seriously affects the interests of commerce, and it is neces- 
 sary, therefore, to take measures of precaution, to the end that friendly relations may be 
 strengthened and endure. 
 
 * Lit., the condition of fire and water. 
 
13 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 The Earl of Clarendon to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, October 27, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE received your despatch of the 31st July, inclosing a copy of a letter 
 you had received from certain British missionaries in Peking on the subject of Protestant 
 missions in China; and I have to acquaint you that Her Majesty's Government 
 approve the reply you returned to that letter, a copy of which is also inclosed in your 
 despatch. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLARENDON. 
 
 •No. 6. 
 Mr. Hammond to the Bishop of Victoria. 
 
 My Lord, Foreign Office, November 13, 1869. 
 
 SLN"CE I had the honour of seeing your Lordship, in company with Mr. Matheson 
 and another gentleman, a despatch has been received from Sir Eutherford Alcock on the 
 subject of the attack on the native Christians at Loyuen, a place not very far distant 
 from Foo-chow-foo, to which you had called my attention. 
 
 Having at this time reported to the Earl of Clarendon what passed in that interview, 
 I have now received his directions to acquaint your Lordship that Sir Eutherford Alcock 
 proposed to call on the Chinese G-overnment to cause a searching and impartial inquiry 
 to be made into the matter, with a view to justice being done. 
 
 But I am to take this opportunity of stating to your Lordship that there is good 
 reason to suppose that the animosity which has lately been more intensely shown towards 
 missionaries on the part of the ruling authorities in China, is in a great measure to be 
 attributed to the injudicious conduct of the native converts to Christianity. Without 
 attempting to determine whether such conduct is shown in a greater or less degree by 
 one class of converts or another, there seems sufficient reason to believe that converts 
 assume, and have acted on the assumption, that by embracing Christianity they released 
 themselves from the obligations of obedience to the local authorities, and from the 
 discharge of their duties as subjects of the Emperor, and acquired a right to be 
 protected by the European Power whose religious tenets they had adopted. 
 
 It can scarcely be matter of surprise, therefore, that the local authorities do not view 
 the converts with friendly sentiments ; and it is not to be supposed that they should 
 discriminate between them, according to the doctrines of Christianity which they may 
 profess to hold. 
 
 Lord Clarendon therefore thinks that your Lordship, if willing to undertake the 
 task, would render valuable service to the missionary cause, if you would point out to 
 the Protestant Societies interested in it, that they will do well to warn converts that 
 although the Chinese Government may be bound by Treaty not to persecute, on account 
 of their conversion, Chinese subjects who may embrace Christianity, there is no 
 provision in the Treaty by which a claim can be made on behalf of converts for 
 exemption from the obligations of their natural allegiance, and from the jurisdiction of 
 the local authorities. Under the creed of their adoption, as under that of their birth, 
 Chinese converts to Christianity stiU owe obedience to the law of China, and if ihey 
 assume to set themselves above those laws, in reliance upon foreign protectiouy they 
 must take the consequence of their own indiscretion ; for no British authority, at aU 
 events, can interfere to save them. 
 
 Lord Clarendon fully appreciates the zeal and devotedness which British missionaries 
 in China display in the prosecution of the work they have undertaken ; but the limits 
 within which the protection of British authority can be extended to their labours are 
 defined by Treaty; and the Vlllth Article of the Treaty of Tien-tsin, of the 26th 
 June, 1858, merely says that " the Christian religion, as professed by Protestants or 
 Boman Catholics, inculcates the practice of virtue, and teaches man to do as he would 
 be done by. Persons teaching or professing it, therefore, shall alike be entitled to the 
 protection of the Chinese authorities ; nor' shall any such, peaceably pursuing their 
 calling, and not offending against the laws, be persecuted or interfered with." And 
 although, independently of the work in which they are engaged, British missionaries 
 
14 
 
 can claim any rights which British subjects in general may be entitled to enjoy, yet 
 Lord Clarendon cannot too earnestly recommend to them to use the utmost caution in 
 the prosecution of their labours, and more especially to confine their operations, until 
 circumstances are more favourable, within the limits where Consular protection and 
 intervention can be rightfully and successfully exerted in their favour. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) E. HAMMOND. 
 
 No. 7. 
 Sir R. Alcock to the Earl of Clarendon. — (Received November 30.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, October 1, 1869. 
 
 EEFERRIKGr to my despatch of the 31st July last, I now forward a printed 
 copy of the letter of the missionaries, with my comments in the margin, which should 
 have formed its inclosure, and I avail myself of the opportunity to transmit similar 
 comments on the Eev. J. S. Burdon's covering letter. 
 
 The subject has now been discussed so often, and, if not exhaustively, at such length, 
 that there ought to be little for me or for the missionaries to add of any great importance. 
 Whether viewed in a religious or a political light, the missionary question is one respecting 
 which it is essential to arrive at a right conclusion. On the policy to be adopted in 
 protecting or discouraging the missionary work in the interior of China much in the 
 future must depend, both as regards foreign relations and the internal state of the 
 country. 
 
 I have given great offence, I believe, to the missionary body, by the views which I 
 have expressed ; but it has been in the discharge of a duty quite as imperative upon me 
 as they consider the obligations laid upon them to preach the Gospel in all places, and 
 under all circumstances, whatever may be the consequences. I believe they feel more 
 aggrieved by my distrust in the efficacy of the means which the preaching of the Gospel 
 affords of converting the Chinese, and entirely changing the whole nature and habits of 
 some 400,000,000 of Chinese and Mongols, than by any reluctance on my part to 
 recommend a policy of active interference and protection, which they must know can 
 •only be made efficacious by a resort to force, and with a contingency of war. I cannot, 
 without a total disregard of history, hope that missionaries will accomplish more with the 
 Chinese race in this nineteenth century than has been effected with far more ample 
 means, and under more favourable conditions, in the West during the preceding eighteen. 
 What 30,000 pulpits and preachers cannot do in Great Britain at the present day, is not 
 iikely, as far as human means are concerned, to be accomplished by 200 or 300 teachers 
 of an alien race, and of different and conflicting sects and rival churches, however earnest 
 and devoted may be the men. And on the chance of this, or some miraculous inter- 
 vention, a Government may well be permitted to hesitate before it sacrifices a vast 
 commerce on which the greatness and power of the nation mainly depends, and with 
 it the influence of all the material elements of civilization which follow in its train. If 
 even they were undeterred by the risk of incurring all the responsibilities of a political 
 revolution in the country, and a foreign war, they might still shrink from committing 
 themselves and the country, 
 
 An article on "Romanism in Szechuen," in the "London and China Express," put 
 side by side with a statement on Protestant missions, contained in Mr. Alabaster's Trade 
 Report, speaking of the district round Swatow, present a fair summary of disadvantages 
 and advantages, proved by experience, to attend the labours of Romanist and Protestant 
 missionaries in China under existing conditions, and for facility of reference I inclose 
 =them both, only observing that, as regards Mr. Alabaster's statement, it is incomplete, 
 as no account is taken per contra of all the complications daily resulting from popular 
 -tumults, destruction of chapels, and attacks or outrages on both missionaries and converts 
 all over the provinces with increasing frequency where missions, Protestant or Roman 
 Catholic, seek to establish themselves. This is in part supplied, however, by a subsequent 
 despatch and inclosure from Swatow, reporting a new instance of popular violence and 
 official supineness while a Protestant mission was being attacked; copy of which I 
 iaclose. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) RUTHERFORD ALCOCK. 
 
15 
 
 Inclosure 1 in l^o. 7. 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries in 
 Peking to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Peking, July 14, 1869. 
 
 IN recent despatches to Her Majesty's 
 Principal Secretary of State for Foreign 
 Affairs, quoted by Lord Clarendon in the 
 House of Lords, and commented on by the 
 leading English newspapers, you have en- 
 tered somewhat at length into the subject 
 of Protestant missions in China, and we, 
 Protestant missionaries resident in Peking, 
 desire to address you, and through you 
 Her Majesty's Government, on some of the 
 points brought forward by you. 
 
 These despatches, copious extracts from 
 which you have courteously furnished us 
 with, strongly advocate a restrictive policy 
 with reference to Protestant missionary 
 operations in the interior of China, prin- 
 cipally on the ground of the " implacable 
 hostility entertained by the Chinese autho- 
 rities and the official class in China towards 
 all missionaries," and also because of the 
 injury that will accrue to our commercial 
 relations with China, if missionaries are 
 permitted to domicile themselves in the 
 interior. If Lord Clarendon's speech in 
 the House of Lords, on the 15 th of April 
 last, is rightly reported in the " London and 
 China Express," he states it as your opinion 
 that "it is absolutely necessary that the 
 missionaries should not establish thomselvss 
 in the interior," and again that "it is 
 expedient that the missionaries should con- 
 fine themselves to the Treaty Ports, exer- 
 cising even there great judgment." 
 
 In regard to the first point, you have 
 represented the arrogant pretensions of 
 the Eoman Catholic missionaries as one 
 cause of hostility to all missionary labours. 
 It is no doubt one cause, and we are as 
 conscious of the mischief of such arrogance 
 as your Excellency can be. But in giving 
 the hostility of the Chinese to missionaries 
 as a reason why Protestant missionaries 
 should be restrained in their operations, 
 the nature of that hostility and the prin- 
 cipal causes of it should be destinctly men- 
 tioned. 
 
 It is well known and understood in China 
 that the hostility entertained by the Chinese 
 to Protestant missionaries, is not directed 
 against them as a class, but as foreigners. 
 And the causes of that hostility are the 
 hatred of other races which the Chinese 
 have always had, the repeated defects 
 [212] 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 I. Restrictive in a certain sense, and 
 with reference to existing- conditions. 
 
 Hence the report quoted is not correct, 
 which makes it appear that I had stated as 
 my opinion that " it is absolutely necessary 
 that the missionaries should not establish 
 themselves in the interior.'' 
 
 In regard to the implacable " hostility " 
 entertained by the "Chinese authorities 
 and the official classes in China towards all 
 missionaries," the writers contend " that it 
 is well known and understood in China, 
 that the hostility is not directed against 
 them as a class, but as foreigners." To 
 
 D 
 
16 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 inflicted on the Chinese Government by 
 England, and the evils connected with the 
 opium trade. 
 
 The Chinese look on missionaries as 
 representatives of all foreigners, and all 
 foreigners they believe to be encroachers 
 on the rights of other,-^, seekers after money 
 and territory, or opium sellers. Almost 
 every abusive placard that has been issued 
 against Protestant missionaries, has charged 
 them either with secret designs of conquest, 
 or with being engaged in the coolie and 
 opium trades, and making the teaching of 
 virtue a cloak for these abominations. A 
 missionary was not long ago driven out of 
 a large city in the Province of Honan by 
 a mob, led on b}' the native gentry, the 
 cause of whose hatred to him was given in 
 these words, shouted after him as he left 
 the city : " You burned our palace, you 
 killed our Emperor, you sell poison to the 
 people, and now you come professing to 
 teach us virtue." These charges sufficiently 
 indicate other and deeper, and to the 
 Chinese, more generally understood causes 
 of hostility than the pretensions of some 
 Roman Catholic Bishops, or even the well 
 known and much to be deplored Protectorate 
 of Chinese Christians by France. Such 
 charges show beyond a doubt that the 
 Protestant missionary suiFers not as a 
 missionary, but as a foreigner. He suiFers 
 from a hostility which he has had no share 
 in provoking. Mr. Taylor's expulsion from 
 Tang-chow is a proof of this, inasmuch as 
 the attack was made on him and his party 
 before he had had time to commence mis- 
 sionary operations. iSo general argument 
 then, against the establishment of Protestant 
 missions in the interior, can be founded on 
 the troubles which Protestant missionaries 
 have recently met with in certain inland 
 towns. 
 
 You have directed Lord Clarendon's spe- 
 cial attention to a placard that was posted 
 towards the end of last year, on the gates 
 of Shanghae, which you think showed un- 
 mistakeably " what are the prevailing opi- 
 nions of the educated and official classes 
 respecting Christianity, r.s it has presented 
 itself to their minds, and, through them 
 been conveyed to the common people, v>'hom 
 they lead." •■ It is only indeed," you fur- 
 further say, '•' by the light of such documents 
 that we can see how it may be true, as has 
 been said, that the minds of the Chinese 
 are 'set like the nether- millstone ' against 
 the teaching of missionaries." The con- 
 tents of the placard will, we think, hardly 
 bear out such a statement as this. It was 
 directed principally against the Eoman 
 Catholics, and accused them of eating 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 which I reply that of the existence of a 
 hostile feeUng towards them as missionaries, 
 teachers of a new religion, and of doctrines 
 subversive of all established order and 
 institutions, the evidences are so abundant 
 and indisputable that I am surprised their 
 production should be challenged. 
 
 The following may be cited as furnishing 
 conclusive proofs : — ■ 
 
 The expulsion of Mr. Taylor and his parfcy 
 was on purely missionary gromids. They 
 were known as missionaries; they wer-e 
 plotted against, placarded, reviled, and 
 assailed in that character, not as foreign- 
 ers. The charge of killing children, 
 taking out their ejes, &c., is one only 
 brought against missionaries, and it was by 
 that cry the populace was raised against 
 them when their expulsion was effected. 
 
 The placard objected to as being directed 
 principally against Roman Catholics (a very 
 questionable assumption) is only one of a 
 hundred issued in every province wherever 
 missionaries, Protestant or Roman Catholic 
 attempt to locate themselves, and this during 
 a long succession of years. In most, if not 
 all of these, no distinction is made between 
 the two, and they are indiscriminately 
 revUed. 
 
17 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 babies' flesh and gouging out the eyes of the 
 dying. This mode of attacking the Eomish 
 religion has become common on the part 
 of the heathen Chinese for many years, 
 and was by no means a new chrrge when 
 the placard in question was issued. The 
 same thing might occur in any city at any 
 time. The ignorance of tlie native popu- 
 lation leads to the belief of such stories. 
 They have arisen from a misunderstanding 
 of the rites of baptism, the Sacrament 
 of the Host, and extreme unction. The 
 Protestant missionaries are of course classed 
 with the Eoman Catholics, and hence these 
 foolish charges against us. The ruling 
 classes know that these charges are false, 
 but they invent them for the purpose of 
 deluding the common people, and stirring 
 up their hatred to foreigners. They are of 
 a piece with the notion, held by some of 
 the common people, and put forth some 
 years ago in an anonymous placard posted 
 on the walls of Kiug-po and Hang-chow, 
 that foreign opium is made by pounding 
 the bones and flesh of coolies who had been 
 stolen from China for this purpose ; and are 
 equally unworthy of grave consideration. 
 
 The injury that will accrue to our " ma- 
 terial interests" in China, if missionaries 
 are permitted to domicile themselves in the 
 interior, you give as another reason for 
 restraining tbem from doing so." " Com- 
 merce," you ,say, "its extension and free 
 development was the first great object of 
 the Treaty of Tien-tsin." "It is futile to 
 graft on to a Treaty of Commerce a prose- 
 lytizing agency for the conversion of the 
 nation to Christianity." You entertain 
 strong opinions against " the wisdom of 
 present efforts for the establishment of 
 Protestant missions beyond the circle of 
 the ports." You "have no doubt what- 
 ever as to the risk incurred, and the evil 
 consequences to be anticipated from per- 
 sistent efforts in this direction, upon all 
 material interests and progressive improve- 
 ments in our relations with the rulers and 
 people of China," 
 
 As commerce is thus put into the fore- 
 ground as the one only object of Great 
 Britain in China, it is impossible to refrain 
 from asking what has been the nature of 
 that commerce which we have forced upon 
 the Chinese? Has it been such as only 
 to benefit the people or as it been such as 
 to demoralize them? We fear that the 
 result of British commerce in China has 
 rather had the latter effect than the 
 former. The main branch of the British 
 commerce in China is opium, an article 
 which the Chinese believe to have been the 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 That injury does accrue to our commerce 
 and material interests in China from the 
 attempts to establish inland missions in 
 aU the jealousies and fears they excite and 
 the tumults that result, is vouched for 
 by the note of the Yamen of July IS, 
 1869.* The Ministers declare that the 
 matter is one which seriously affects the 
 interests of commerce, inasmuch as it tends 
 to excite jealousies, and fears, and enmities, 
 and popular tumults ; it must, one would 
 think, injuriously aff'ect material interests 
 dependent on peace and good-will. They 
 may dislike the merchant, but the missionary 
 they fear ; and where the former might 
 trade or travel peacefully, the latter is not 
 allowed to preach or settle himself. The 
 one they regard as a trafficker, more or less 
 intrusive, whose presence in the interior, 
 with his exterritoriality, they could well 
 dispense with ; but the other as creating an 
 imperium in imperio fatal to the authority of 
 the Emperor. And are they so far wrong- 
 in their conclusion ? 
 
 * Inclosure 3 in No. 4. 
 
 D 2 
 
18 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 cause of our first war with China, and 
 which, however eagerly it may be sought 
 after, they regard as injurious to them 
 mentally, morally, and physically. Now, 
 how does the trade in opium compare with 
 that in tea and silk ? It cannot surely 
 be subject of self- congratulation in the 
 matter of our commerce with China, that 
 there is very little difference annually be- 
 tween the total value of the opium imported 
 from India into China, and that of all the tea 
 and silk exported from China to England 
 and elsewhere. Let the following statistics 
 speak for themselves : — 
 
 Taels, 
 In 1S67 the total amount of Indian opium 
 imported into China was 88,148 piculs, 
 25,582 piculs of which were smuggled 
 into China from Hong Kong. la silver 
 the total value of this opium was 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 In the same year (1867) the total amount 
 of tea exported to all countries from 
 China was 1,122,384 piculs, the value 
 of which in silver was 
 
 The total amount of silk exported to all 
 countries from China, during the same 
 year, was 39,299 piculs, the value of 
 which in silver was. . . . . . 
 
 Total value of tea and silk exported in 
 1867 
 
 45,071,357 
 
 33,754,009 
 
 15,724,380 
 
 49,478,389 
 
 This sho^^■s that the total value of the 
 tea and silk exported from China to all 
 countries, in 1867, exceeded the total value 
 of the one article of opium imported from 
 India into China, chiefly by British mer- 
 chants, during the same year, only by about 
 4,500,000 taels. Opimn, then, may be con- 
 sidered as the main branch of British com- 
 merce in China, and however opinions may 
 differ as to the amount of injury inflicted 
 by this drug on those who use it, no one vail 
 defend it on the ground of its being in any 
 sense beneficial to the people. The Chinese 
 themselves, whether they use it or not, 
 regard it as injurious. The enormous ad- 
 vance of the amount imported from India, 
 since the early years of its introduction, 
 is a cause, far more than a result, of the 
 immense demand for it. It has given an 
 impetus to the growth of native opium, 
 which, as in Szechuen, is gradually super- 
 seding the foreign article. Since the open- 
 ing of the Yang-tsze, the native drug in 
 the interior has become one-half cheaper, 
 and the number of smokers has been trebled. 
 " The cultivation of the poppy," said one of 
 the censors, in a Memorial recently addressed 
 to the Emperor on this subject, "has been 
 substituted for cereal productions on vast 
 tracts of the Western and Xorthern Pro- 
 vinces, so as in some parts to occasion a rise 
 in the price of food." For this and all the 
 other injuries entailed by opium, British com- 
 
 I am not concerned to disprove any 
 assertions as to the immorality of commerce 
 or the evils attending the consumption of 
 opium. But the -whole argument is scarcely 
 relevant ; for if the commerce denounced 
 were the most moral and beneficent, mis- 
 sionary labours inland, while China is con- 
 stituted as it is, would be adverse in various 
 ways to its development. It was not com- 
 merce, good or bad, that drove the mission- 
 aries out of China in the eighteenth century, 
 and trade to a single port at the farthest 
 limit of the Empire. 
 
 If the same thing does not happen again, 
 it will be because commerce and its inte- 
 rests will keep the doors open ; as it was 
 these alone, in the present century, that 
 forced them open and allowed the missionary 
 to enter. 
 
19 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 merce is responsible ; and yet it is in the 
 interests of British commerce that Pro- 
 testant missionaries are to be restrained 
 from penetrating into the interior. Mis- 
 sionary operations are represented as almost 
 the one obstacle to " progressive improve- 
 ments," while it is implied that commerce, 
 if once freed from its connection with these 
 operations, would only advance the cause of 
 progress 
 
 In opposition to this, we maintain that 
 honourable commerce has nothing to fear 
 from Protestant missionaries, but everything 
 to gain. Merchants, as a rule, cannot malie 
 themselves understood among the people, 
 as they but rarely learn their language. 
 " British officials," if they do know the 
 language, mix but little among the native 
 population. Protestant missionaries learn 
 the language, mix M'ith the people, and 
 throw their influence all on the side of 
 morality, peace, and good-will. They go 
 about not, as represented, merely to pro- 
 selytize to a certain "set of dogmas," but 
 to teach all whom they can reach the first 
 great principles of morality, and to explain 
 the desires and aims of the better portion 
 of the English in coming among them. 
 They have opened hospitals for the healing 
 of the sick, and they frequently spend time, 
 and health, and strength, in ministering to 
 the physical wants of the poor. They live 
 among the Chinese on a friendly footing, 
 diffuse information, receive the Chinese 
 cheerfully in their houses, and constantly 
 inculcate on them the practice of virtue 
 and religion. The native women are visited 
 by the wives of the missionaries, kindly 
 intercourse is maintained, the hearts of 
 the people are won, and England, both 
 in its lawful commerce and its political 
 interests, is only a gainer, never a loser, 
 by the residence among the Chinese of the 
 missionary families. The more there is of 
 this sort of influence the better it will be 
 both for Chinese and English, and this 
 will be especially the case in inland towns, 
 "where foreigners are only known as 
 devils," or "barbarians." To have Pro- 
 testant mission hospitals and schools estab- 
 lished in such cities, under the care of 
 general and medical missionaries, well 
 qualified by education, such as you have 
 known during your long residence in China, 
 would work well — if it might not be shown 
 to be almost the only practical method — 
 for the removal of prejudice and the spread 
 of knowledge. 
 
 But we shall be told that, however bene- 
 ficial the presence of missionaries might be 
 in the interior, it almost inevitably brings 
 with it complications between the native 
 
 Remarks, 
 
 That " honourable commerce has nothing 
 to fear," &c., is a very doubtful assertion, 
 as has been already shown. 
 
 They do all this, no doubt, and many 
 more good works ; but that " they do not 
 go about to proselytize to a certain set of 
 dogmas," as well as "teach the first great 
 principles of morality," seems to me a bold 
 assertion. Dogmas are inseparable from 
 all religious systems. Creeds must have a 
 dogmatic and exclusive character ; how else 
 can they be distinctive ? Is it not perfectly 
 true that "both practical experience and 
 sound reasoning show every form of religion 
 which is to exercise any real influence over 
 the human mind must be dogmatic ; that is 
 to say, it must form a positive system com- 
 posed of propositions mutually supporting 
 each other, and believed to be true, joint]y 
 and severally by those who possess them. 
 It must also be exclusive ; that is, it must 
 teach not only its own truth, but the false- 
 hood of every other creed, in so far as it 
 differs from itself? " An attempt to teach 
 a religion in general which is no religion in 
 particular, — can this realize a missionary's 
 idea? 
 
 Great as may be the evil of rival sects 
 and churches teaching conflicting doctrines 
 to the Chinese, and thus planting the seeds 
 of future wars and contentions, will any of 
 these several teachers feel satisfied only to 
 impart those general notions of religious 
 duty and worship for which any general 
 basis of agreement can be found ? 
 
 So experience proves. 
 
 If not because of the way in which they 
 propagate Christianity — because of the fact 
 - — and on political grounds, as I have shown, 
 
20 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 and foreign Governments ; but this is not 
 as we have shown, because of the wny in 
 which missionaries propagate Christianity: 
 nor is it on religious grounds at all, but 
 simply because they are foreigners. Tae 
 same troubles would have arisen had a body 
 of merchants or scientific men attempted 
 to domicile themselves in those places out 
 of which missionaries have recently been 
 driven. Our merchants are urging freer 
 access to the interior, and even permission 
 to reside in inland towns for purposes of 
 trade, and these demands cannot be put off 
 much longer. When complications arise 
 between merchants penetrating into the 
 interior and the proud, ignorant ruling 
 class, will the British Minister of that day 
 argue that British commerce leads only to 
 the embroiling of the two Governments, 
 and advise that the merchants 1)e confined 
 again to the open ports? 
 
 Complications must arise from time to 
 time in the opening up of this country 
 to foreigners, and it rather becomes Her 
 Majesty's Eepresentatives in China to meet 
 those difficulties, and to try every moral 
 means to overcome them, than to advise 
 retrogression in order to get rid of them. 
 And they could not have a better oppor- 
 tunity of making this attempt than in 
 dealing with the settling of missionaries 
 in the interior. Protestant missionaries 
 ask for neither "gun-boats" nor soldiers 
 to protect them. The use of force in 
 connection with missionary operations is 
 most abhorrent to their feelings. All they 
 ask for is that their authorities — Minister 
 in Peking and Consuls in the ports — will 
 exert a friendly influence, so far as they 
 possibly can, on the Chinese rulers, to 
 insist on protection being given to all 
 British subjects travelling or residing in 
 the interior, so long as they comply with 
 the conditions of their passports. Some- 
 times this has been tried, and tried with 
 success. A case in point occurred not far 
 from Peking, about two years ago, in con- 
 nection with the prosecution of some native 
 converts, made by Englisli Protestant 
 missionaries. The British Consul at Tien- 
 tsin asked Chung-How, the Imperial Super- 
 intendent of Foreign Trade in STorth China, 
 to check the local Magistrate, the Governor 
 of Lau-ling, a city distant 170 miles from 
 Tien-tsin, in his persecution of the native 
 converts at that place. The mission there 
 was in a very flourishing state previous to 
 this persecution, which was carried on by 
 the Magistrate at the instigation of the 
 native gentry. A Proclamation was very 
 kindly sent to the neighbourhood by Ghung- 
 How, and the grievance ceased. If this can 
 
 Remark.", 
 
 not altogether without just foundation ; not, 
 certainly, as alleged, " because they are 
 foreigners." 
 
 The British Government of the present 
 day declines to claim a right of inland 
 residence for merchants and missionaries 
 alike, becaupo of the complications that 
 might arise. 
 
 Moral means are of singularly little a\aii, 
 as a general rule, when dealing with such 
 difficulties either at Peking or in the pro- 
 vinces. 
 
 Missionaries ask to be protected wherever 
 they may be, as they have a perfect right 
 to do ; but beyond the circuit of the ports 
 it is impossible to give them efficacious 
 protection, even if Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment were as willing, as they are averse, 
 to the employment of force. Therefore, if 
 a resort to it be abhorrent to missionaries, 
 are they not bound to avoid giving rise to 
 any necessity for such measures ? 
 
21 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 be done in the case of native converts, who 
 might be persecuted in such a variety of 
 ways, without being able to appeal to law, 
 we think that if perseveringly and earnestly 
 tried in the case of British subjects, the 
 same plan might also prove successful. At 
 all events, if such means fail, missionaries 
 generally, we feel confident, would rather 
 retire to some other place than entail the 
 horrors of war on any town. It is unjust 
 to speak of missionaries as anxious to fall 
 back on Her Majesty's naval and military 
 forces to help them in their work. 
 
 We must demur to your Excellency's 
 statement that " the British Authorities, as 
 a rule, are neither consulted nor even 
 advised by the missionaries, of the steps 
 the several independent members or bodies 
 of diverse missions decide upon." Mis- 
 sionaries, as a rule, never travel without a 
 passport, and this has always to be applied 
 for at the Consulates. The Consuls, there- 
 foi:e, have every opportunity of inquiring 
 into the movements of missionaries on 
 applying for their passports, and acquainting 
 themselves, if they think fit, with the steps 
 these missionaries intend to take. This 
 system gives to Her Majesty's Government 
 all the "direct control " that is necessary 
 over their proceedings. 
 
 Remarks, 
 
 If it be asked on what ground the Pro- 
 testant missionaries claim the right of 
 residence in the interior, and ask the 
 British Minister and Consuls to help them 
 to this in the way already indicated, we 
 
 reply :■ — 
 
 1. The Chinese Government has, as a 
 matter of fact, conceded to the Eoman 
 Catholic missionaries the right to go into 
 the interior, and to settle themselves_ there 
 for the purpose of teaching their religion ; 
 and by the "favoured-nation" clause, in 
 the English Treaty, the same right is ceded 
 to the English missionaries. Although this 
 concession is not found in the French text 
 of the French Treaty, and although, for 
 political reasons, the Chinese Government 
 would, as is well known, be glad if it could 
 
 I maintain the accuracy of my statement 
 that the British authorities, as a rule, are 
 neither consulted nor advised by the mis- 
 sionaries of the steps they decide upon. 
 
 Many examples might be cited, but one 
 ma}^ suffice. Mr. Maxwell, in Formosa, 
 refused even to listen to the counsel of the 
 Consul, three years ago, when the former 
 first arrived, as to an inland mission there ; 
 and persisted, after his place had been twice 
 sacked, and serious complications resulted. 
 He is, in part, responsible for all the 
 trouble and bloodshed there has been at 
 Taiwan. 
 
 The application for a passport to travel 
 into a province neither gives sufficient infor- 
 mation nor affords means of obtaining it ; 
 still less any efficient control over the 
 ulterior proceedings of isolated members 
 of independent missions; and I maintain 
 both to be necessary in the interests of 
 peace. 
 
 If their proceedings are to entail political 
 troubles and grave responsibilities on the 
 country, it has a right which cannot reason- 
 ably be disputed to exercise control and fix 
 limits beyond which these shall not extend. 
 No Government will be disposed to accept 
 the one without the other. Where there is 
 no power to govern or control, there can be 
 no legitimate responsibility. 
 
 The right of residence in the interior 
 rests upon a very insecure foundation — 
 partly derived from French Treaties in 
 relation to Roman Catholic missions for 
 the restoration of property in land and 
 houses, conferred by former Emperors upon 
 them and sul^sequently confiscated — a con- 
 dition of things having no parallel in 
 Protestant missions — and partly on actual 
 residence, sanctioned or unopposed by 
 Chinese authorities. 
 
22' 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 be withdrawn, it is a fact that the French 
 missionaries are allowed this privilege, and 
 you have yourself argued that what the 
 French missionaries enjoy, cannot, according 
 to Treaty, be denied by the Chinese autho- 
 rities to the British. 
 
 2. It is well known that the present 
 policy of the Chinese Government, during 
 the remainder of the Emperor's minority, is 
 neither to recede nor to advance. Anxious 
 to leave the responsibility of new changes 
 Avith the Emporor himself, they wish to 
 persuade the Treaty Powers to wait a few 
 years before introducing any new principles 
 into the relations of the countries. Hence, 
 you have said to Lord Clarendon that the 
 Imperial Government has no wish to with- 
 draw, at least on religious grounds, the right 
 conceded to missionaries. 
 
 3. The Chinese Government by their 
 Ambassador, the Honourable Anson Bur- 
 lingame, has announced to the different 
 western Powers, the principle of entire 
 reciprocity as that on which they desire, 
 henceforth, to conduct their intercourse 
 with friendly foreign nations. This cer- 
 tainly implies as much liberty to the 
 foreigner in China as is granted to the 
 Chinese in the West. Mr. Burlingame 
 further explained and illustrated this new 
 Chinese policy in his famous ]S"ew York 
 speech, in which, so far as missionaries are 
 concerned, he said that " China invited 
 Protestant missionaries to plant the shining 
 Cross on every hill and in every valley.'' 
 As this and similar assertions by the 
 Chinese Envoy have produced fruit in the 
 action of the British Government towards 
 its subjects in China, we are entitled either 
 to ask the Chinese Government to repudiate 
 Mr. Burlingame's Treaties and speeches, or 
 to claim from them the benefit of his public 
 declarations. 
 
 We would gladly stop here, believing 
 that we have sufficiently vindicated the 
 beneficial nature of Protestant missions, 
 and their right, in accordance with the 
 existing condition of things in China, to 
 establishment in the interior. But you 
 have thought good, in enforcing your 
 " opinion of the necessary connection of 
 missionary labours with commercial inter- 
 ests as an obstacle to progress, and im- 
 proved political relations," to allude to 
 several points in connection with Protestant 
 missionaries — their faulty mode of pro- 
 cedure, their imperfections, their disputes 
 with each other and with the Eoman 
 Catholic missionaries, their sympathy with 
 the Taeping rebels, and the revolutionary 
 nature of the doctrines which they teach — 
 as proofs that '' no good can come out of 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 As to Mr. Burlingame's high flown 
 speeches, and the expediency of calling 
 upon the Chinese Government either to 
 repudiate these promises or fulfil them, this 
 has already been done, and the disavowal 
 quickly followed. 
 
 The beneficial nature of Protestant mis- 
 sions imder wise guidance has never been 
 called in question. Their object is good, 
 but that does not preclude doubts or com- 
 ments as to the means adopted. 
 
23 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 such instrumentality." You cannot be 
 surprised that we entirely disagree with 
 you in this conclusion, and we think we 
 can show that your premises, on which 
 you ground your conclusion, cannot be 
 sustained. 
 
 You have conveyed the impression to 
 Her Majesty's G-overnment that Protestant 
 missionaries make no attempt to reach the 
 ruling class in China. This is an opinion 
 that has been dwelt upon lately in certain 
 circles until it has come to be accepted 
 almost as an undoubted fact. We assert 
 on the other hand that it is not a fact, and 
 mention in proof of our assertion that 
 nearly 100 works on science, medicine, 
 history, geography, law, and miscellaneous 
 subjects have been published in China by 
 Protestant missionaries. These works have 
 been composed in a style so acceptable to 
 the learned class, that men belonging to 
 this class when acting as Governors and 
 Viceroys, have reprinted at their own ex- 
 pense not a few of them, thus adding them 
 to the permanent literature of the country. 
 The missionaries then have not neglected 
 the higher classes, but have already suc- 
 ceeded in interesting no small number 
 among them, in various departments of 
 knowledge. In the translation of works 
 adapted to this end, the object has been to 
 inform the minds of the Chinese so as to 
 remove their prejudices, to induce them 
 to think with candour, and thus pave the 
 way for presenting Christianity to their 
 attention. 
 
 In connection with the above charge, we 
 have often heard of late that missionaries 
 were only half-educated men. Tou your- 
 self have spoken of missionaries in terms 
 that would suggest such a charge as this, 
 when you speak of the " human instru- 
 ments brought to bear upon the Chinese 
 people for their conversion" as "seemingly 
 ill-adapted to secure the end proposed." 
 "It is vain to hope," you continue, "for 
 the conversion of a shrewd, rationalistic, 
 and sceptical nation like the Chinese, by 
 instrumentality so imperfect." Whether 
 you intended this to convey the impression 
 that these "human instruments " _ were 
 "imperfectly" educated, or not, is not 
 very clear, but it is a fact that from this 
 and similar statements, the whole Protes- 
 tant missionary body has been so repre- 
 sented in the " Times," the '' Pall Mall 
 Gazette," and other newspapers. Will 
 the following facts bear out this charge? 
 All the Chinese dictionaries yet made for 
 English students of Chinese are the work 
 of Protestant missionaries ; the conductors 
 
 Remarks, 
 
 I have never said, or "conveyed the 
 impresssion," to " Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment, that " Protestant missionaries make 
 no attempt to reach the ruling class in 
 China." I have contended that their main 
 eflforts were not in this direction, and sug- 
 gested, as a layman's view, whether this 
 might not be the better course. 
 
 I do not think that I have suggested 
 such a charge. The human instruments, 
 as distinct from supernatural Agencies, I 
 thought imperfect in some respects, if not 
 manifestly inadequate to the end, and I 
 think so still. But where have I spoken of 
 the missionaries as " half-educated men ?" 
 " From this and similar statements " (a 
 rather vague kind of reference), I am 
 apparently held responsible for all the 
 "Times," "PaU MaU Gazette," and other 
 newspapers, may have seen fit to publish 
 on the subject, and for which I am no 
 more responsible than the missionaries 
 themselves. 
 
 As I have never written of the missionaries 
 otherwise than as a class entitled to the 
 highest praise, the question at the close of 
 this paragraph is not appropriately addressed 
 to me. 
 
 [21.2] 
 
 E 
 
24 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 and principal writers in the Chinese re- 
 pository, — an invaluable mine of information 
 on almost every Chinese subject, highly 
 prized by all who wish to become acquainted 
 with this country, — were Protestant mis- 
 sionaries; the author of one of the best 
 works on China, the " Middle Kingdom," 
 taken as a text-book among the student 
 Interpreters of the British Legation, was 
 a Protestant missionary; the translator of 
 the Chinese classics is a Protestant mis- 
 sionary ; the translator into Chinese of 
 Wheaton's International Law, whose work 
 was printed at the expense of the Chinese 
 Government, is a Protestant missionary, 
 one of the principal professorships in 
 the new University which the Chinese 
 Government are said to be desirous of 
 establishing in Peking, is filled by a 
 Protestant missionary. The only writers 
 in Chinese on subjects that will elevate 
 this people morally and intellectually, are 
 missionaries. Is this class of men worthy 
 to be branded in the House of Lords as 
 " rascals or enthusiasts," and in the leading 
 newspapers as ignorant or at best half- 
 educated men? 
 
 Lord Clarendon has represented you as 
 stating that there are " grave differences '' 
 (by which we suppose disputes and bicker- 
 ings are meant) between the Protestant 
 and Eoman Catholic missionaries, and he 
 refers to certain " unseemly instances " of 
 these " differences " which you have given 
 in your despatches. 
 
 Remarkt. 
 
 We know of no such disputes between 
 Protestant and Roman Catholic mission- 
 aries, Mr. Wylie, in his Memorials of the 
 Protestant missionaries, recently published, 
 gives a list of 700 publications in China by 
 those missionaries, living and dead. Among 
 them there is none directed specially against 
 the Roman Catholic missionaries. The 
 "instances" given do not bear out the 
 charge of disputes. 
 
 The first is, that an objection was made 
 by M. Simon, French Vice-Consul at Ningpo, 
 
 In quoting from Lord Clarendon's 
 speeches in the House of Lords, and my 
 own despatches, there must have been a 
 good deal of misapprehension and confusion, 
 apparently, in the minds of the writers. The 
 only place in my despatches where "unseemly 
 instances " (or " unseemly disputes " rather) 
 appears, is in a quotation from a historian 
 speaking of early Christians in the Eoman 
 Empire. " Grave differences " I have cer- 
 tainly asserted to exist, and said they were 
 such as to be apparent to Chinese, both 
 between Protestants and Roman Catholics 
 and among the Protestant sects — but I 
 did not refer to these in the sense 
 attributed, of " bickerings and disputes," 
 which would imply something of a personal 
 character. 
 
 And are there not grave differences on 
 matters of faith and practice ? on all that 
 constitutes distinctive forms of religion and 
 worship ? 
 
 Do not the quasi-edict of Monseigneur 
 de Besi, denouncing Protestant books, and 
 M. Simon's more recent protest against the 
 Protestant missionaries' works, sufficiently 
 prove the fact as between Protestants and 
 Roman Catholics ? These are isolated cases, 
 I am told, and prove nothing but the foUj 
 or intemperate language of an individiaai. 
 I maintain, on the contrary, that they are 
 typicalp and speak the sentiments o£ Roman 
 Cathohcs generally in regard to Protestant 
 doctrines and teaching; and, if the Pope 
 
25 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 to the "Pilgrim's Progress," translated 
 gome years ago into Chinese by the Rev. 
 V. C, Burps, now depeased. This work of 
 Bunyan, teaching Christianity hy means of 
 an allegory, being a remarkable work of 
 genius, and a highly useful exponent of 
 Christianity, has been translated into a 
 large number of languages, and it has never 
 been thought necessary to expunge those 
 passages, few and brief, which refer to the 
 Eoraan Catholics. M. Simon thought that 
 one passage spoke disrespectfully ot the 
 Pope, and made an official complaint to the 
 British authorities on this account. Surely 
 this is no proof of bickerings between Pro- 
 testant and Eoman Catholic missionaries. 
 Sensible Roman Cathohcs themselves would 
 ridicule such a complaint as foolish and 
 paltry, for which M. Simon is alone respon- 
 sible. 
 
 The second instance, was a denunciation 
 of Protestant books by Roman Catholic 
 authority in China. It was stated that the 
 books of the Protestants were " obscene," 
 and that the readers and authors were all 
 in danger of damnation. This again is 
 rather an instance of intemperate language 
 used by an individual, provoked apparently 
 by the rapid spread of Protestant Chris- 
 tianity in his neighbourhood, than a proof 
 of disputes between Protestants and Roma- 
 nists. Such injudicious persons are to be 
 found everywhere ; and it is most unfair on 
 their account to involve both bodies in one 
 sweeping condemnation, when you say that 
 the above immoderate language "justifies 
 the conclusion that sectarian hatred, rather 
 than Christianity, must be the result of 
 such teaching on either side " — as if this 
 was the constant teaching of one or of both 
 sides ! 
 
 With reference to the disputes of mis- 
 sionaries, as to the best term by which to 
 express the name of God in Chinese, we 
 can only record our surprise at finding such 
 an argument brought forward at all against 
 missionaries. We have much that we could 
 say on the subject, but we refrain from 
 entering on it, as we do not see what the 
 British Governjnent can have to do with 
 our discussions on a purely philological 
 question. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 be Antichrist with the latter, the Protestant 
 is to the former a teacher of " damnable 
 heresy and error, which it is a deadly sin to 
 hold." 
 
 The differences of creed which divide the 
 Church of England and the Congrega- 
 tionalists, and Presbyterians, and these 
 from the Roman Cathohcs, are they slight 
 or unimportant? Or are they not held 
 sufficient, in the belief of each, to justify 
 their standing apart ? What are the Chinese 
 to make of these multiform varieties of 
 tenets and worship ? 
 
 As to the philological question, I merely 
 cited that as another instance of a want of 
 unity and accord in matters connected with 
 missionary labours. As to the true bearing 
 or importance of a diff'erence about the 
 terms for rendering the word " God " in a 
 Chinese version of the Scriptures, I differ 
 entirely from the missionaries ; but that 
 may be a matter of opinion, — the difference 
 is a fact. 
 
 Then, as to the other fact, that these 
 differences, sectarian and others, are noticed 
 by the Chinese, and give them a plausible 
 excuse for scoffing at missionaries as 
 teachers of error rather than of truth, — of 
 dissentient doctrines and divers forms of 
 worship. Why, this constitutes one of the 
 most common charges of the literati and 
 officials, for an example of which see a 
 denunciatory placard posted extensively in 
 
 [212] 
 
 E 2 
 
26 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 Tou have further alluded, in strong terms 
 of condemnation, to the sympathy which 
 many of the Protestant missionaries mani- 
 fested towards the Taeping rebels. But 
 British Il^aval Officers and British Consuls, 
 and even the then Governor of Hong Kong 
 are involved in the same condemnation. 
 The profession of Christianity by a body of 
 men who marched through the country, from 
 Canton to IsTanking, without one single 
 check, and gave out as their object the 
 subversion of the reigning dynasty, was 
 enough to startle all foreign residents into 
 inquiry into the meaning of such profession. 
 And it did so. Naval Officers, Consuls, the 
 British G-overnment, the general public were 
 all interested, and, more or less, sympathized 
 with the movement. It would have been 
 strange indeed, had missionaries stood aloof 
 from it. It was principally through mission- 
 aries that information respecting the self- 
 styled Christian views of the Taepings was 
 looked for and obtained, and it will be in 
 your recollection that Lord Clarendon sent 
 his thanks to Dr. Medhurst for his transla- 
 tion of certain tracts and papers issued by 
 the insurgents. When the nature of the 
 movement became more plain, compara- 
 tively few of the missionaries hoped any- 
 thing from it, and but one allied himself 
 with it. Is the whole body to be held 
 responsible for any want of judgment in one 
 or at most in two or three of its members ? 
 It is utterly unfair to speak of the whole 
 body of Protestant missionaries as " hailing 
 the Taepings as heralds of Christianity," or 
 as men who will render " sympathy to the 
 first band of pirates and robbers who can 
 gather elements of disturbance about them." 
 Such a sweeping condemnation condemns 
 itself. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Honan, a translation of which was published 
 in the Shanghae papers in 1866, wherein 
 will be found the following passage : — 
 
 " Although the adherents of the religion 
 only worship Jesus, yet being divided into 
 the two sections of Eoman Catholics and 
 Protestants, these are continually railing at 
 each other, so that we have no means of 
 determining which is right and which is 
 wrong." 
 
 That there was a considerable amount of 
 interest and sympathy with the Taeping 
 rebels manifested by missionaries in the 
 first years can be proved by numerous facts. 
 This may have been wise or otherwise — 
 blameworthy or the reverse — all I insisted 
 upon was the fact of such open manifesta- 
 tion of interest and its consequenceSc That 
 the leader was himself a pupil of a Pro- 
 testant missionary, and publicly proclaimed 
 what he supposed to be the Protestant 
 religion, was in itself sufficient to make the 
 whole body of missionaries suspected and 
 obnoxious. 
 
 I entirely concur in this opinion, but if 
 there be any unfairness of statement, it is 
 on the part of the writers who have misre- 
 presented, very unintentionally I doubt not, 
 my opinion as expressed in the despatches. 
 What I stated as to the sympathy of mission- 
 aries and merchants alike with the Taepings, 
 and their supposed readiness to show similar 
 sympathy with the leaders of any insurrec- 
 tions having for their object the overthrow 
 of the existing Government or religious 
 reform, had reference' simply to the im- 
 pressions made upon Chinese Government 
 officials in relation to such matters, as these 
 are recorded in numerous official documents, 
 of which I cited one example circulated in 
 the "Peking Gazette." 
 
 The correctness — the justice or injustice 
 of such opinions on the part of the officials — 
 
27 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 In your despatch of 4th, Decemher, you 
 dwell much on the political and revolu- 
 tionary tendencies of Christianity, and 
 argue that as the missionary, from the 
 very nature of the doctrines he teaches, 
 must of necessity teach revolution, he 
 ought to he restrained from going into the 
 interior ; and you leave the impression on 
 the readers of your despatch that you think 
 it would be decidedly for the peace of 
 China, if Christianity and its emissaries 
 were excluded altogether from the country. 
 
 It is an old accusation against Christianity 
 on the part of the heathen that it teaches 
 revolution, but by this they mean only 
 one aspect of revolution, namely sedition. 
 Christ Himself was accused of " stirring up 
 sedition." His apostles also had to meet 
 the charge, although we find in their 
 writings the enforcement on their converts, 
 in the strongest possible way, of obedience 
 to the "Powers that be." "When the 
 Chinese accuse Christianity of being revo- 
 lutionary, they also mean that it teaches 
 sedition. Now we know this is untrue. 
 Christianity may be revolutionary of cus- 
 toms and opinions, but it is not seditious. 
 The heathen have made this mistake 
 because of their ignorance of responsibility 
 to a Divine Power, and their inability to 
 comprehend the principle that " God must 
 be obeyed before men." But the ignorance 
 of the heathen on this point constitutes 
 the very ground of missions. Men must 
 be taught that there is a Divine Power in 
 the world, and that all, without exception, 
 are responsible to it. Surely no Christian 
 man or Christian Government can be 
 opposed to this, or forbid missionaries to 
 preach Christianity because the heathen 
 entertain an ignorant objection to it, which 
 has no foundation in fact. And yet from 
 your despatch you seem to think it a valid 
 objection. 
 
 But whilst we contend that the Chinese 
 view of Christianity being revolutionary is 
 wrong, and therefore no argument against 
 missions, we are free to acknowledge that 
 Christianity does produce revolutions. It 
 would be worth very little if it did not 
 revolutionize the countries which accept it. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 was not the question, but their existence 
 and influence in rendering the whole class 
 hostile to missionaries and opposed to their 
 domiciliation in the interior. 
 
 I have " dwelt much on the political and 
 revolutionary tendencies of Christianity" 
 undeniably, and I think with good reason, 
 since these lie at the root of the matter at 
 issue — the compatibility of missionary work 
 and establishments in the interior, with other 
 and primary objects of Treaties, such as 
 commerce and amicable relations with the 
 people and their rulers. If I am right in 
 attributing to political causes, and the fear 
 of revolution or disturbances, the hatred of 
 Chinese officials and Government to mis- 
 sionaries, how could I fail to insist upon 
 the leading causes of hostility ? Unless 
 this hostility can be surmounted, I qiiite 
 " think it would be decidedly for the peace 
 of China if Christianity and. its emissaries 
 were, for the present at least, excluded 
 altogether." 
 
 It is unnecessary to justify my opinion 
 that Christianity is essentially revolutionary 
 in a Pagan country, because the writers of 
 the letter have spared me the trouble, and 
 end by fully admitting the fact. In saying 
 that they "acknowledge that Christianity 
 does produce revolutions," and that it 
 would be worth very little if it did not 
 revolutionize the countries which accept 
 it," they admit all I have maintained. 
 Their opinion is mine. But the belief in 
 its revolutionary tendencies being also that 
 of the ruling classes in China — and being, 
 as it is here admitted, a well-founded belief 
 — how can the missionaries doubt that it is 
 a cause of implacable hostility to them, 
 and to their work, on the part of those 
 rulers ? 
 
 As far as the distinction between its 
 being erroneously supposed revolutionary 
 in a seditious sense, and hence alone this 
 hostility ; to the Chinese it is assuredly, so 
 far as they are concerned, a distinction 
 without a difference. What matters it to 
 them whether missionaries sow broadcast 
 
28 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 But the very presence of An o^lo- Saxons in 
 the East is vevolutionar}', and therefore we 
 are warranted in arguing that if Christianity 
 is to be banished because of its tendency to 
 produce changes, the British and American 
 Governments ought to recall every Anglo- 
 Saxon in China. 
 
 . "Whether it arises from his religion, or his 
 civilization, or from something inherent in 
 his race, the Anglo-Saxon, wherever he goes 
 among the semi- civilized Pagan nations of 
 the East, is sure, sooner or later, to produce 
 a revolution. This has been seen in India, 
 iu China, and in Japan, and in each case 
 the revolution, whether complete or partial, 
 has been unconnected with missionaries. 
 The East India Company zealously excluded 
 missionaries from India at first, and yet 
 were the means of subverting every native 
 Government. In Japan, missionaries have 
 not been allowed to propagate Christianity 
 since its recent opening to foreign inter- 
 course, and yet it is a significant fact that 
 within ten years of this event, a great revo- 
 lution has taken place in the Government 
 of that country. In China, changes have 
 been made that are equivalent to a revolu- 
 tion. The reigning dynasty was at one 
 time all but overturned, and if it has now 
 any strength, it is all owing to the influence 
 of those very Foreign Powers that had well- 
 nigh caused its overthrow. 
 
 If the despotic Governments of the East 
 are to be left unimpaired, if nothing must 
 be done which is at all likely to interfere 
 with the ideas on which they are founded, 
 then we have no right to bring to China the 
 laws or the commerce of Christendom, and 
 force the Chinese to accept them. Both are 
 Terolutionarj in such countries as China 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 seeds of revolution and insurrection through- 
 out the Empire, by enlightening and purify- 
 ing the people, and so making a Pagan and 
 vicious Government an object of hatred and 
 insupportable ; or by preaching sedition ? 
 The result is what they look to, and this 
 alone concerns or influences their action in 
 regard to missionaries. 
 
 No doubt the Anglo-Saxon carries ele- 
 ments of disturbance about with him when- 
 ever he appears among a heathen race, or 
 one of inferior powers and civilization. And 
 this probably is one of many reasons why 
 he is never popular with them, nor his 
 presence desired by the rulers. When they 
 are strong enough they resist his entrance 
 by force, as did the Chinese and the 
 Japanese as long as they were able ; and 
 when strength fails them, they oppose him 
 and his processes of civilization and 
 theories of progress by craft and duplicity, 
 the weapons of the weak. 
 
 The later experience of the Japanese, 
 and their present state, fuUy justify the 
 fears which dictated their desire for isola- 
 tion. We have produced revolution without 
 the aid of missionaries this time. But 200 
 years ago the missionaries were the prin- 
 cipal agents, and left a legacy of hatred 
 and implacable hostility to the merchants 
 who only succeeded them ten years ago. 
 
 So also about the same time in China it 
 was the missionaries who produced revolu- 
 tionary and violent measures in the rulers 
 for their expulsion and the destruction of 
 their converts, not merchants or commerce, 
 though there was nothing to boast of in 
 these at the time. 
 
 So I think it is possible to understand 
 why the Chinese rulers, loving neither class, 
 hate the missionary more especially, because 
 they fear him more. The foreigner, simply 
 as such, is an object of hostility because he 
 is looked upon as a source of possible danger 
 to the rulers and a promoter of disturbing 
 influences and discontent among the people, 
 — aiding and abetting insurgents by the 
 sale of arms and munitions of war for the 
 sake of the profits. The missionary is not 
 only so much additional trouble, but brings 
 a new and more potent element of revolu- 
 tion, and is hated accordingly with greater 
 intensity, and opposed with more continuity 
 of effort. 
 
 Very true in the main, although it may 
 be questioned whether the settlement of 
 foreign Ministers at Peking is "far more 
 subversive of all the Chinese ideas of 
 Government than the teaching of mission- 
 aries," 
 
 I doubt the fact being so ; but I still more 
 doubt this being the opinion of the Chinese 
 
29 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 and Japan. Both break up the established 
 order of things. Both introduce elements 
 of Western progress, utterly uncongenial 
 with, or rather hostile to, the stagnation of 
 Eastern Pagan despotisms. The settlement 
 in Peking of a British Minister at the point 
 of the bayonet, and the demand that he 
 shall be treated, as Ambassadors in the 
 "West are treated, are far more subversive of 
 all the Chinese ideas of Government than 
 the teaching of missionaries. 
 
 Are we wrong, then, in having come to 
 China ? Must we apologize to the Chinese 
 for all the defeats we have inflicted on 
 them, and the changes we have made among 
 them socially and politically, and forth- 
 with take our departure ? Is the British 
 Government likely to repent of all the 
 injury done to Chinese exclusiveness and 
 pride and to withdraw all its officials and 
 subjects from China on the ground that our 
 presence here is revolutionary ? Shall we 
 not rather be told that it is too late now 
 even to moot the question whether Western 
 nations ought or ought not to force their 
 intercourse on an unwilling heathen people ? 
 The thing has been done, is being done, and 
 will continue to be done. The nations of 
 the West seem to be brought hither by a 
 necessity over which they have no control. 
 They bring their commerce, their civiliza- 
 tion, and their religion with them, and it is 
 beating the air to argue against the intro- 
 duction of th&m simply because they will 
 produce revolutions. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Government and ofl5cials ; little as it may 
 be to their taste to be bearded by foreign 
 Ministers in their capital. 
 
 China, it is admitted on all hands, needs 
 a revolution. Its ignorance, its supersti- 
 tions, its pride, its exclusiveness, — all re- 
 quire to be changed. Until this is done, 
 
 Missionaries may be perfectly right in 
 coming to China and yet not at liberty to 
 do what they please ; not altogether right 
 in seeking to prosecute their work in a way 
 eminently calculated to produce disturb- 
 ances and grave political complications, and 
 rendering resort to force or to war in the 
 end all but inevitable. At least even 
 Christian States may fitly have something 
 to say in the way of objection. They may 
 have forced their commerce on an unwilling 
 nation, as it is alleged, and yet refuse to 
 f ccept either the responsibilities or the 
 (bligation of forcing their religion also. 
 And even if willing to accept both, they 
 may not unfitly or unreasonably claim the 
 right to decide for themselves under what 
 conditions they will undertake such respon- 
 sibilities and incur the cost of meeting 
 them. 
 
 This the missionaries seem to contest, and 
 to be disposed to repudiate as an attempt to 
 impose on religious work a secular control and 
 authority. Whether China needs a revolu- 
 tion or not, and whether revolution with its 
 attendant consequences of anarchy and 
 violence and bloodshed be the only or most 
 fitting mode of arriving at the desired 
 end of civilizing and Christianizing some 
 400,000,000 of Chinese and Mongols, are 
 questions of such grave import that Govern- 
 ments may well decline to leave it entirely 
 with missionaries to determine, however 
 satisfied they may be of the good intentions 
 of the latter. 
 
 And if it is not to be so left in the hands 
 of irresponsible missionaries, whose duty it 
 is "to obey God rather than man," in other 
 words, to follow out, irrespectively of 
 Governments and national or material 
 interests, or any dictates of worldly wisdom 
 what they conceive to be their duty as 
 missionaries solely, then is there, in my 
 opinion, an obvious and imperative necessity 
 for State intervention, and what may, fitly 
 enough, be termed by them " a restrictive 
 policy," 
 
 Whether the "Christian religion," as 
 taught by Eoman Catholic or Protestant, " is 
 the only means by which such a change can 
 be brought about," — a general reformation 
 
30 
 
 Letter of British Protestant Missionaries. 
 
 foreign intercourse of any kind will be a 
 perpetual source of danger to individuals, 
 of complications between the Governments. 
 The Christian religion is the only means 
 by which such a change can be brought 
 about, and in due time it will effect this 
 change in China as it has done in the 
 nations of the West. Its propagators, so 
 long as they cannot be proved to be breaking 
 the laws of China, ask only that no hin- 
 drance shall be thrown in the way of Chris- 
 tianity, and in the long run it will be found 
 that even the " material interests of Great 
 Britain in China will, by this course, be 
 advanced. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 (Signed; Joseph Edkins, Missionary 
 of the London Missionary 
 Society. 
 John S. Buedon, Missionary 
 of the Church Missionary 
 Society. 
 William H. Collins, Mis- 
 sionary of the Church Mis- 
 sionary Society. 
 John Dudgeon, Medical 
 Missionary of the London 
 Missionary Society. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 of rulers and people, — and whether " in duo 
 time it will effect this change, as it has done 
 in the nations of the West," finally, whether 
 it will be found that Christianity, in the long 
 run, if no hindrance be thrown in the way, 
 will " advance even the material interests 
 of Great Britain in China," are all three 
 propositions open to serious question and 
 doubt. 
 
 In the first place Christianity has not 
 very completely effected this end for the 
 nations of the West in eighteen centuries ; 
 and if it does not succeed better in China it 
 is scarcely worth while risking a revolution 
 or a foreign war to promote the experi- 
 ment. There are abuses and vices, crimes 
 and heathenism enough still in the masses 
 of European populations, corruption and 
 misrule scarcely less than we find in China 
 at this day. 
 
 Moreover, if Christianity were the only 
 means of raising the moral tone of a nation 
 and improving the human race generally, it 
 is difficult to believe that the Almighty, in 
 His goodness and wisdom would have left 
 three-fourths of the whole human race with- 
 out its benefits to this day. We are pro- 
 mised a millenium, but it seems as far as 
 ever from realization in this nineteenth cen- 
 tury and in Christian Europe. God in His 
 own good time will no doubt provide the means 
 and secure the end : but the history of the 
 past does not encourage hopes of a speedy 
 issue, either in China or elsewhere, whatever 
 may be the efforts of good and pious men to 
 spread a knowledge of the Gospel ; and a 
 layman may be pardoned if he has not the 
 same robust faith as a missionary as to its 
 prompt and sure advent, or the efficacy of 
 such measures as are now in operation for 
 the regeneration and conversion of the 
 Chinese millions to a better state and a 
 purer faith. 
 
ai 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 7. 
 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter to the "North China 
 Herald," Peking, July 23, 1869. 
 
 THE following letter has been called forth 
 by certain despatches sent home by Sir 
 Rutherford Alcock last winter to Her 
 Majesty's Government. As these despatches 
 have not been published, an explanation of 
 the circumstances under which the letter 
 was written seems necessary. 
 
 Lord Clarendon, in speaking on the 
 Chinese missionary question in the House 
 of Lords on the 5th of April last, professed 
 to give the opinion of Sir R. Alcock on this 
 subject, "as the result of his great ex- 
 perience in China." The " opinion " seemed 
 to embrace a variety of topics ; but the two 
 principal points of it were, that the Chinese 
 were hostile to missionaries, and that " the 
 missionaries should coniine themselves to 
 the Treaty ports, exercising even there 
 great judgment." In the vaguest way 
 possible Lord Clarendon alluded to the 
 French protectorate of Roman Catholic 
 converts, the diflferences between the Pro- 
 testant and Roman Catholic missionaries, 
 and the fear of the authorities that the 
 missionaries would so influence the lower 
 classes as to interfere with their local supre- 
 macy, as causes, in Sir Rutherford's opinion, 
 of the hostility to missionaries. The re- 
 striction of Protestant missionaries was 
 therefore absolutely necessary, to prevent 
 our Government being involved in a pro- 
 tectorate of them and their converts. 
 According to Lord Clarendon, Sir Ruther- 
 ford " doubted whether any prospect of 
 success which the Missionaries were entitled 
 to entertain would compensate the dangers 
 they incurred in disregarding not only the 
 laws of the country, and the prejudices of 
 the people, but the advice of their own 
 Government." Thus the British Minister 
 was made to accuse the Protestant mis- 
 sionaries of " disregarding the laws of 
 China !" 
 
 ■ So loosely did Lord Clarendon give the 
 substance of Sir R. Alcock's despatches, 
 that the " Pall Mall Gazette," in an article 
 written just after the above debate, makes 
 a ludicrous mistake with reference to one 
 of the statements made in the House of 
 Lords. Lord Clarendon had said that 
 "quite recently a most offensive placard 
 against the Roman Catholic religion had 
 appeared on the walls of Shanghae." He 
 does not say who issued it, or what it con- 
 tained. But the "Pall Mall Gazette," without 
 any hesitation, asserts that Sir Rutherford 
 points to the Protestant missionaries as the 
 issuers of the placard in question. " It is 
 easy to see," says the writer of the article, 
 [212] 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 The writer in the " Pall Mall Gazette " has 
 made an absurd mistake as to a material 
 fact. But the opinion here expressed is 
 just and true. 
 
32 
 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. 
 
 " that with converts of bad character, the 
 consideration of protection by a foreign 
 Government may sometimes be of more 
 weight than any purely theological motive, 
 and the knowledge of this is not likely to 
 dispose the local authorities to do anything 
 to check the fanaticism oceasionally pro- 
 voked by some more than usually injudicious 
 attack on the native religion [sic]. How 
 certain it is that such attacks will from time 
 to time be made, may be gathered from one 
 significant fact. ' Quite recently,' says Sir 
 E. Alcock, ' a most offensive placard against 
 the Roman Catholic religion appeared on 
 the walls of Shanghae.' If the British Pro- 
 testant cannot suppress his characteristic 
 instincts even in the presence of a common 
 adversary, he is not likely to show more 
 decency in dealing with another form of 
 Christianity." The'" Pall MaU Gazette " cer- 
 tainly showed its " characteristic instincts " 
 in attributing this placard to Protestant 
 missionaries. 
 
 The above use of Sir R. Alcock's opinions 
 and statements, both in the House of Lords 
 and in the newspapers, seemed to call for 
 some notice from those immediately con- 
 cerned, and accordingly the English Pro- 
 testant missionaries in Peking sent a private 
 note to Sir Rutherford, requesting him to 
 allow them a perusal of his recent despatches 
 on the missionary question, that they might 
 be able to judge for themselves as to the 
 views and statements sent home by him 
 officially to Her Majesty's Government. 
 We, at the same time, told him that we did 
 this with a view to probably addressing him 
 officially on the subject of Protestant mis- 
 sions. In reply. Sir Rutherford most cour- 
 teously forwarded copious extracts from his 
 despatches of December 4, 1868, January 23 
 and February 10, 1869. In forwarding them 
 he said that we were not at liberty to pub- 
 lish them, but that he "had no objection 
 whatever to our freely quoting anything he 
 had said as the expression of opinions 
 officially given by him to Her Majesty's 
 Government, if we thought it necessary to 
 combat them in communication with our 
 friends at home or in any statement which 
 might be made to the Government." 
 
 W^e read these extracts with care, and 
 though we were unable to find any passage 
 accusing us of "disregarding the laws of 
 China," or of " issuing placards against the 
 Roman Catholic religion," we were as- 
 tonished to find various arguments brought 
 forward to show that Christian missions are 
 an obstacle to trade and peaceable inter- 
 course with the Chinese, and that they 
 ought by all means to be discouraged and 
 restrained. We felt it would not be right 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 I suppose it will not be denied that Pro- 
 testant missionaries do attack and denounce 
 all existing forms of idolatry and error, 
 which they see perverting the minds of the 
 Chinese ? 
 
 It would be very strange if they did not, 
 for they must not only teach the truth of 
 their own creed, but the falsehood of every 
 other with which they come in contact. 
 And the latter not always, perhaps, in terms 
 acceptable to Chinese literati or others — 
 disciples of Buddha or Confucius. 
 
 This is not a fair rendering of the con- 
 tents. I have certainly said that Christian 
 missions and missionary work, as at present 
 conducted, are obstacles to trade and peace- 
 able relations with the Chinese. And I 
 maintain it to be matter of demonstration. 
 But I have nowhere said or implied that 
 " they ought by all means to be discouraged 
 and restrained." I think they should be 
 under some efficient control, and I have 
 said so. 
 
33 
 
 a 
 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. 
 
 to be silent under such a representation of 
 Christian missions, officially sent to his 
 Government by Her Majesty's Minister, 
 and hence the letter which we have addressed 
 to him, and which we now lay before the 
 public. 
 
 Sir Rutherford has sent us a brief official 
 reply, in which he declines to discuss the 
 matter with us, but promises to forward a 
 copy of our letter to Her Majesty's Secretary 
 of State, " accompanied by such comments 
 as may seem necessary to correct errors of 
 statement, and prevent misapprehension as 
 to my views." "This is the more neces- 
 sary," he adds, "as you have in not a 
 few instances confounded together opinions 
 and views conveyed in despatches to Her 
 Majesty's Government as mine, with others 
 for which I am not in any way responsible, 
 while you have at the same time drawn 
 inferences supposed to be based on the 
 former, which, even when separated from 
 their context, they do not justify. As such 
 a process is eminently calculated to mislead, 
 I think it right to notify the fact in antici- 
 pation of your giving publicity to your 
 letter." 
 
 We are glad to give as much publicity to 
 this assertion of Sir Rutherford's, as we do 
 to our letter, though we cannot of course 
 accept it until substantiated by proofs. 
 We hope that if ever Sir Rutherford favours 
 us with proofs of the truth of this charge, 
 he will obtain for us from Lord Clarendon, 
 or give to us himself, if in his power, per- 
 mission to publish in full the extracts from 
 his despatches, to which in the main our 
 letter is an answer. 
 
 In the following letter we may seem to 
 condemn all the forcible measures that have 
 recently been taken in connection with 
 missionaries in Yang-chow and elsewhere. 
 This is not the case. In common with 
 almost every foreign resident in China, 
 we feel largely indebted to Sir R. Alcock 
 for his prompt and decisive action, especially 
 in the Yang-chow affair. It taught a lesson 
 to unprincipled men which they would pro- 
 bably never have learnt in any other way, 
 and it effectually advanced the cause of 
 foreign intercourse with China. It was 
 rendered absolutely necessary by the hatred 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 In proof of the correctness of these 
 affirmations, see marginal notes to the 
 collective letter. 
 
 By their hatred to missionaries particu- 
 
 of the Chinese literati to foreigners (not to larly, as the history of all the recent 
 
 missionaries particularly), the impossibility 
 of securing redress without force, and the 
 safety of foreigners generally throughout 
 China. What we object to is that mis- 
 sionaries, when they meet with outrages 
 and report them, as in duty bound, at the 
 Consulates, should be told that they are 
 applying for gun-boats to help in carrying 
 on their work, and that if they would cease 
 
 missionary troubles and disturbances abun- 
 dantly proves, confirmed by a long series 
 of placards in every town and locality 
 where these have taken place, and elsewhere, 
 by memorials to the Throne, and by official 
 notes from the Tsungli Yamen to foreign 
 Ministers farther cited in notes to collective 
 letter, 
 
 F 2 
 
34 
 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. 
 
 going into the interior, the necessity for a 
 gun-boat would cease also. The outrages 
 were perpetrated on them as foreigners, 
 and had nothing to do with their peculiar 
 
 calhng 
 
 The missionaries, as such, are 
 
 neither responsible for the outrages, nor for 
 the necessity of punishing them. 
 
 They will do anything to avoid these 
 troubles, short of relinquishing their Treaty 
 rjght to settle in the interior. 
 
 The question now at issue is not how the 
 missionary is to be kept out of China, or at 
 least out of inland towns in order that 
 trade may prosper and be enlarged, but one 
 of two alternatives : either, how may foreign 
 nations be kept in check altogether, and be 
 induced to prevent their subjects from in- 
 truding into the interior of China? — or, 
 what means must be employed to induce the 
 local Mandarins and the native gentry- to 
 respect the Treaties into which their Govern- 
 ment has entered with other countries, and 
 to allow peaceable foreigners engaged in a 
 lawful calling to reside among them ? When 
 it comes to be understood by Lord Claren- 
 don, as it will be by-and-by, that the 
 Chinese Government is half, if not wholly, 
 in sympathy with those local Mandarins and 
 native gentry in their opposition to foreigners, 
 and that the authority of the general Govern- 
 ment over their subordinates and the literati, 
 is, at best, a very questionable thing, it will 
 then be seen that in certain extreme cases, 
 such as that of Yang-chow, Sir Rutherford 
 Alcock's action is of more avail towards 
 bringing the problem of foreign intercourse 
 with China to a peaceable solution, than all 
 his theorizings about restricting mission- 
 aries to the Treaty ports. 
 
 (Signed) J. S. Btjedon. 
 
 Peking, July 23, 1869. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 Are they not responsible in some sense 
 if their action or presence is the exciting 
 cause of outrages and tumults ? Does 
 not their voluntary action in establishing 
 themselves inland and at distant localities 
 beyond the reach of Consular authority or 
 assistance, both create the danger and the 
 necessity for the use of force to punish their 
 assailants? "Not missionaries, but the 
 officials and literati are the causes of dis- 
 turbances," it has been said ; and in a 
 certain sense that is quite true, but still 
 it is the presence and the teaching of the 
 former that is the immediate cause, since 
 but for this no trouble would ensue. Is 
 such presence and action, on the part of 
 missionaries so imperative or unavoidable 
 that they cease to be responsible agents n 
 so carrying on their work ? 
 
 "They will do anything to avoid these 
 troubles, short of relinquishing," &c. — that 
 is, they will do anything but the one thing 
 necessary to avert such troubles and poli- 
 tical complications. As to the Treaty right 
 to settle in the interior, it is not quite so 
 clear as has been assumed ; and Her Ma- 
 jesty's Government do not feel it incumbent 
 upon them to claim it, vrith all the respon- 
 sibilities it entails. 
 
 The question now at issue is how amicable 
 relations with the Rulers of China can be 
 maintained, while tbe primary objects for 
 which wars have been waged and Treaties 
 signed are at the same time insisted upon. 
 How best "local Jiandarins and native 
 gentry " can be constrained or induced to 
 respect the Treaties into which their Govern- 
 ment has entered, and to allow peaceable 
 foreigners engaged in a lawful calling to 
 reside among them or travel freely through 
 the interior for business or pleasure, with- 
 out a rupture of those friendly relations, 
 and a resort to war, or acts of \\&r, as often 
 as those Treaties are infringed — is the 
 problem ; and a very difficult one it proves 
 to be. Beyond all question, the missionary 
 element plays a very prominent part in the 
 difficulty, and is the greatest obstacle to 
 any peaceful solution. The missionaries 
 disclaim all responsibility. Our right, they 
 say in effect, is to go and reside where we 
 please — our business is to teach and preach 
 the Gospel in season and out of season- 
 that is our duty, as well as our privilege, 
 
35 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. Remarks. 
 
 the rest concerns us not — let the Govern- 
 ment look to it, that is their business, and 
 whatever follows, they are bound to see we 
 are not molested or interfered with. 
 
 This sort of unlimited liability in a part- 
 nership the Grovernment may object to, 
 with at least some show of reason. To the 
 missionary, all liberty, and to the Govern- 
 ment all the cost and responsibility, seems 
 scarcely a fair division. In any case, 
 neither individuals nor Government can be 
 justly called upon to accept responsibilities 
 without any power of control. And it is 
 precisely this claim to control or restrict 
 that the missionaries so vehemently repu- 
 diate. All this arises, I conceive, from too 
 exclusive a view of the claims of religion in 
 connection with duties of States, and an 
 unpractical habit of regarding the obliga- 
 tions imposed by the whole in respect of the 
 part. 
 
 Eeligion and the work of the missionary 
 in heathen lands make a far stronger appeal 
 to the sympathies of Christian men than 
 any of the pursuits by which money is 
 gained. The object is higher and more 
 worthy ; those engaged in the work more 
 disinterested J and the result, if attained, 
 is of infinitely more worth than all the gold 
 or commerce of the world. 
 
 But sympathies are not the best guides 
 to practical wisdom or statesmanship, in the 
 conduct of affairs, more especially, where the 
 destinies of nations are in the scales. Grant- 
 ing that even a great commercial people like 
 the British, whose national existence and 
 power are intimately connected with com- 
 merce and the wealth it accumulates should 
 have other and higher objects before it than 
 mere pecuniary interests or the protection 
 of trade : either the means adopted for the 
 attainment of the first must be compatible 
 with those necessary for the second, or the 
 one must be subordinated to the other. 
 Failing this, they will conflict, and both 
 objects will be endangered, if not, in aU 
 probability, sacrificed. This is the danger 
 to be guarded against in the present state 
 of our relations in China in connection with 
 the missionary question, and it is the 
 subject of my despatches. 
 
 As a matter of policy, if not of political 
 necessity, I have suggested one of two 
 courses. Either to abstain from Govern- 
 ment interference for the protection of 
 missionaries and their converts in the in- 
 terior when too remote from the Treaty 
 Ports for any efficacious intervention, except 
 by a resort to force, — in which case it would 
 be a plain duty to discourage, and as far as 
 possible restrict, the operations of British 
 missionaries within the circuit of the ports ; 
 
36 
 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. Remarks. 
 
 or to insist upon the Treaty rights of these, 
 as defined hy Article VIII, which stipulates 
 that " persons teaching it, or professing it '' 
 (and therefore converts) "shall alike be 
 entitled to the protection of the Chinese 
 authorities, nor shall any such, peaceably 
 pursuing their calling and not ofi'ending 
 against the Laws, be persecuted or interfered 
 with." 
 
 To insist upon a Treaty stipulation being 
 faithfully and strictly observed involves, on 
 the part of a Western Power in China, a 
 readiness to enforce such observance by 
 whatever means may be found necessary to 
 secure the end. And it is only necessary to 
 read carefully the words of this Article to be 
 aware, that, in the whole range of the Treaty 
 from the 1st to the LVIth Article, there is 
 nothing stipulated for so difficult to secure 
 as the fulfilment in its integrity of this one 
 clause. Let us analyze it. "Peaceably 
 pursuing their calling." This includes both 
 missionaries and their catechist converts, 
 who are Chinese subjects. Who is to 
 determine when any of these three classes, 
 but more especially the latter, are accused 
 of ofiending against the laws, that they 
 have done nothing in contravention of 
 Chinese laws ? How is false or conflicting 
 evidence to be sifted, in a case occurring in 
 the heart of one of the provinces far re- 
 moved from any Consular authority ? And 
 supposing a Consul could proceed to the 
 spot, how is such an officer to go behind the 
 judgment of a Chinese magistrate and 
 establish by unquestionable evidence that 
 the witnesses have borne false testimony, 
 and that the Judge has been guilty of an 
 unrighteous judgment ? And to what 
 would such attempts to secure justice 
 between Chinese Christians and their own 
 authorities lead, or where could they end, 
 save in perpetual and forcible intervention 
 between authorities and subjects fatal to 
 any native executive powers if successful, 
 and fraught with infinite wrong and mis- 
 chief to those whom it was desired to protect 
 if the reverse. 
 
 Again, the Article stipulates for all 
 these three classes that "they shall not 
 be persecuted or interfered with." Who 
 is to trace the limits between what is 
 persecution for religion's sake and the 
 rightful assumption of the territorial autho- 
 rities to pursue crime and maintain order, 
 repressing all causes of tumult and dis- 
 turbance amongst a teeming population 
 of Chinese throughout the provinces? or 
 discover with certainty when the action 
 of the Magistrate is dictated by the one 
 or the other motive ? 
 
 These are so many practical impossi- 
 
37 
 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. Remarks. 
 
 bilities in the great majority of cases. The 
 attempt to get over difficulties of this 
 nature could only lead to failure, and 
 probably end in war, or the armed pos- 
 session of the country by foreign Powers 
 without it. 
 
 The missionaries have spoken of " moral 
 means" to overcome all missionary diffi- 
 culties in the interior, as if these might 
 prove sufficient. But all experience in 
 China tends to establish the fact that 
 moral means are only effective in so far 
 as they are sustained by force, latent or 
 manifest, and known to be available, to 
 give them efficacy. 
 
 In the end, therefore, the whole question 
 of missionary difficulties resolves itself into 
 one of peace or war ; the propagation of 
 Christianity under the menace of forcible 
 intervention by one or more foreign Powers 
 against the will of the rulers, in defiance of 
 the moral convictions of the nation — that 
 is to say, of its educated men, — aU who 
 form and guide public opinion, not merely 
 of the office-holders, but, as has been truly 
 remarked, "of the millions who are satu- 
 rated with a knowledge of the history and 
 philosophy of their country. To one and 
 all of the class, the appearance in China of 
 Christian missionaries, backed by the power 
 or the prestige of their respective Govern- 
 ments, must be simply as offensive as an 
 invasion, similarly supported, of Buddhist 
 or Confucian teachers would be to ourselves ; 
 and we must be prepared for their deter- 
 mined opposition, secret or overt, as oppor 
 tunity may present itself" 
 
 The words are not mine, but I entirely 
 concur in the opinions they express. The 
 hope of establishing Christianity in China, 
 without first enlisting on its side the sym- 
 pathies and good-will of the higher and 
 educated classes — to enlist whom is to 
 enlist all — is, I fear, entirely chimerical 
 This, however, is a layman's opinion, which 
 is certainly not concurred in by missionaries, 
 and is given for what it may be worth, 
 without claiming any authority for it beyond 
 what careful study of the facts, and an 
 honest conviction, may fairly entitle it to 
 when weighed against opposite conclusions, — 
 and, I may add, the past history of China. 
 For evidence, showing the grounds for a 
 hostility quite as implacable as I have 
 shown to exist on the part of the official 
 and educated classes towards missionaries, 
 see a paper in the September number of 
 the " Chinese Recorder," describing the 
 long struggle in former ages between Con- 
 fucianism and Buddhism in China, The 
 two following passages, more especially, 
 
38 
 Mr. Burdon's Letter. Remarks. 
 
 bear conclusively on the subject as it pre- 
 sents itself now : — 
 
 " Among the men of previous periods, and 
 even among some of recent times, weightier 
 objections have been set forth with earnest- 
 ness of mind and vigour of language. On 
 political, on moral, and on philosophical 
 grounds, the professed followers of Confucius 
 have opposed the introduction and toleration 
 of Buddhism. The State and its miniature, 
 the family, have long been to the Chinese 
 the embodiment of all that is precious, and 
 tbe completion of human life and duty. 
 Hence any doctrine or course of conduct 
 which seemed to cause injury to either or 
 both of these has always been hateful in 
 their eyes. 'Now one of the first political 
 objections brought against Buddhism was 
 that it was a barbarian system of doctrine." 
 
 Again : — 
 
 '' But much more serious than the material 
 injury which this heresy inflicts on the 
 country is the moral detriment which it 
 works. It teaches its followers to set at 
 naught the three great relations of life — 
 namely, those between father and son, 
 prince and subject, husband and wife ; and 
 by doing so it saps the foundations of civil 
 life. The son or daughter who professes 
 religion parts for ever from his or her parents, 
 and ceases to have any regard for them , 
 and there is the great authority of Mencius 
 for saying that such persons are like birds 
 and beasts. Buddhism also confuses the 
 minds of the simple, by inventing a heaven 
 as a reward for those who do well, and a hell 
 as a punishment for those who do ill, 
 according to Buddhist conceptions of good 
 and evil. Now an undutiful child is the 
 worst conceivable character, and yet heaven 
 is offered even to such on the fulfilment of 
 certain conditions. TJnfilial sons become 
 disloyal subjects, and thus a tendency to 
 anarchy is produced. Sons cease to respect 
 their natural parents, and transfer their 
 affections and duty to strangers. So they 
 transfer also the allegiance due to their 
 Sovereign to their chief in religion, and 
 thus they become unfilial and disloyal.'^ 
 
 But whatever may be the diversity of 
 opinions on so large a subject, and one of 
 such momentous importance, the conviction 
 in my own mind is too clear to admit of any 
 question as to the utter impracticability, by 
 such means as are at present employed, of 
 protecting missionaries and their converts 
 in the interior efficaciously. 
 
 My conviction is equally strong that, 
 without more efficacious protection than it 
 has hitherto been possible to afford, the 
 large extension of missions in the interior 
 
39 
 Mr. BurdorCs Letter. Remarks. 
 
 will not be practicable, although persevering 
 attempts to attain that end may involve the 
 most serious consequences, and can hardly 
 fail to entail grave complications in the 
 relations of the Empire with foreign Powers. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in !N"o. 7. 
 
 Extract from the "London and China Express." 
 
 Romanism in Szechtjen. — SOME further particulars have lately been received of 
 the recent massacre of the native Christians in Western China, and form the subject of 
 an article in the " Grlobe" of yesterday. It seems that for a long time a good deal of 
 ill-feeling has existed between the native Christians and the mandarins, having its rise in 
 the very natural jealousy felt by the latter at the great power and influence possessed by 
 the Christians, whom they accuse of being virtually rebels against the Government. 
 Some trifling matter of dispute between the Christians and their unconverted country- 
 nien fanned the smouldering quarrel into a flame. A foreign priest, with more zeal than 
 discretion, undertook to advocate the Christians' part before the mandarins, and not 
 getting the assistance he expected, armed his converts ; upon which the mandarin 
 washed his hands of the whole affair, telling them, that as they had taken the law into 
 their own hands, they must look not for protection from the authorities. The Christians, 
 perceiving the mistake they had made, immediately disarmed, and again threw themselves 
 on the protection of the magistrate. But it was too late — the ball had been set rolling. 
 Suddenly one night the church, in which were some of the Christians, was attacked, and 
 burnt to the ground. Thirty-nine bodies were taken from amidst the ruins, among them 
 that of M. Rigault, fearfully mutilated, and without head or limbs. This occurred in 
 January, and since that time a constant warfare has been kept up between the two parties. 
 And as yet all efforts to establish peace have failed. There is no doubt that the native 
 Christians do in a great measure bring these evils upon themselves, by their overbearing 
 and insolent behaviour to their fellow-countrymen and mandarins. And there is much 
 reason to believe that many profess Christianity with the idea that by so doing they 
 transfer their allegiance from the native authorities to a foreign Power, which is both able 
 and willing to protect them against the exactions of their legitimate rulers. It is even 
 said that lately, in Szechuen, 10,000 Chinamen have, with unquestionable loyalty, 
 declared themselves converts to the Eoman Catholic faith, with the avowed purpose of 
 thereby purchasing the protection afforded by the Christian society. It is impossible to 
 speak too highly of the devotion and zeal of the Eoman Catholic missionaries in China, 
 and great allowances are to be made for the difficulties of their position. Yet, it must 
 be confessed, that in a great many instances, they help to foster in the minds of the 
 natives the idea that they hold powers beyond those of teachers of the Grospel. As long 
 as their Bishops and dignitaries assume to themselves the titles and paraphernalia of 
 temporal authority, so long will discontented and unruly Chinamen flock to their standard 
 to rid themselves, as they believe, of their obligations to the Emperor's Government ; 
 and so long- will the mandarins entertain a deep and not unnatural jealousy of the 
 missionaries and their converts. 
 
 On the subject of missions Mr. Alabaster writes : — 
 
 "I have a word to say regarding the English, or rather Scotch, mission estabhshed 
 here, as its progress and prosperity are largely, althoijgh indirectly, bound up with our 
 commercial interests. Established some ten years ago, its agent, Mr. Smith, even then, 
 notwithstanding the irritation against foreigners, maintained his position at Swatow, and 
 the mission stations have since spread to all the districts round, and at great personal 
 risk the footing of the mission has gradually been made good. S"or has this been dpne 
 by constant appeal to a protecting gun-boat ; the Consul and authorities have from time 
 to time been called onto extend protection; but it has ever been rather to prevent 
 recurrence of violence than to obtain redress — the missionaries seeking but the oppor- 
 tunity of being heard rather than of obtaining the punishment of those who, rather 
 
 [212] cr 
 
40 
 
 from ignorance than anything else, had offered them insult or injury. By these means 
 they have in many places obtained the good feeling of the people, who, led away by 
 inconsiderate excitement, naturally expected to suffer the consequences of their violence ; 
 and in man}' of their chapels they are far more secure than they would have been had an 
 army marched in to exact satisfaction for the opposition offered to their entry. And in 
 another way they have obtained powerful support, in their careful abstaining from 
 interference in the temporal concerns of their converts ; for although, had they always 
 been ready to take up the case of a professing Christian with the Consuls and authorities, 
 they would probably have numbered many more nominal converts, they would have had 
 no security for the sincerity of their followers, and would have been regarded with 
 jealousy and resentment by the mandarins, instead of, as at present, with toleration and 
 even friendship. From two labourers their number has been increased to four ; and 
 while one is always present at the hospital and head-quarters in Swatow, the others visit 
 the out-stations, and make tours through the country, preaching and distributing Bibles 
 and tracts ; and, although it is impossible to rightly estimate the extent of their work by 
 a statement of the number of their chapels and congregations, its effects can be and are 
 felt by the community generally in the spread of the good report of foreigners, and the 
 accustoming of the people to them in a favourable light in places heretofore inaccessible 
 to us, and which, had less judicious agents visited them first, might stiU have remained 
 closed to US- So long as the missionaries devote themselves to the preaching of the 
 Gospel they must succeed ; and the merchant, the traveller, and the official, will alwajs 
 find the way smoother before him where an honest missionary has gone before.*^ 
 
 Inclosure 4 in ^o. 7. 
 Consul Alabaster to Sir R. Alcock. 
 
 Sir, Swatow, September 9, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a letter just received from the Head of the 
 Protestant mission here relative to an attack on a chapel in the interior. 
 
 The district is notoriously turbulent, and there was some difficulty in esta,blishing 
 the station a year ago, which was overcome, as already reported, by my action through 
 the Taoutae, and the present disturbance, which I imagine to be chiefly attributable to 
 the fortuitous coincidence of a Sabbath and market-day, would scarcely deserve being 
 brought to your Excellency's notice but for the additional instance it affords of the 
 disinclination of the authorities to act when foreigners are concerned unless compelled, 
 in the refusal of the mandarin, who was appealed to to check the riot, to interfere, though 
 it was clearly his duty to repress the disturbance whether foreign interests were involved 
 or not. 
 
 I shall endeavour to settle this matter quietly, as I am of opinion that too severe a 
 prosecution of aggressors, and the ill-feeling generated thereby, militates more against 
 the interests of missions than the occasional tolerance of insult, and trust I shall be as 
 successful in preventing the repetition of attack from the Miow people as I have been in 
 obtaining the toleration of the chapel by the people of the place itself. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CHALOiJEE ALABASTEE. 
 
 Inclosure 5 in !N"o. 7. 
 The Rev, G. Smith to Consid Alahaster. 
 
 Sir, Bwatow, September 8, 1869. 
 
 WE have just received information from our mission station at Sin-chang that, on 
 Sabbath last, when the church members and other interested hearers had met together 
 for Divine worship, a crowd of people from Miow gathered about the door. Gradually 
 they came inside and began to disturb those who had assembled, and to insult and annoy 
 the Chinese assistants. From petty insults they proceeded to more violent measures, till 
 all present, nearly thirty persons, were compelled to disperse. Some of the congregation 
 were rudely treated, had their umbrellas, &c., taken from them. One of the assistants 
 
41 
 
 especially was roughly handled. The meetmg was broken up before the morning service 
 had commenced ; but the crowd still continued outside abusing those who had met for 
 worship, and throwing missiles on the roof. The Ti-po, who lives close by, shouted to 
 the rioters to leave the place ; but no attention was paid to him, nor did he take any 
 other means to put down the disturbance. The assistants at his request shut the door : 
 but soon after three or four men got on the top of the house and made their way through 
 the roof to the inside. Forthwith they unbarred one of the doors, and let in the crowd. 
 Ascene ot confusion ensued, and all the moveable property that could be got was carried 
 ott. Jivery kind ot filthy language was employed to describe the purposes for which the 
 diapel had been rented and was used. It seemed as if the object of the crowd was to 
 put an end to the mission work in that locality. 
 
 The uproar began between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning, and lasted till between 
 5 and 6 in the evening. 
 
 The rioters were from Miow, a town under the jurisdiction of Kit-yang, but in local 
 connection with Sin-chay, which belongs to Pou-seng. The measures taken by the 
 Taoutae, in conjunction with the district Magistrate, through your representation last 
 year, have been so far successful as to keep the Sin-chay people from giving us any 
 Annoyance. What seems to be now required for the peace and freedom of those who 
 naeet in Sin-chay for worship is that the inhabitants of Miow, and of the neighbouring 
 ■nllages who go there for market, be effectually restrained from violence and disorderly 
 conduct. On this occasion the Miow Yamen was applied to for help ; but our people 
 were told that without special authority from the Pou-seng Magistrate to interfere in 
 Siia-ehay affairs the application could not he entertained. 
 
 Such being the facts of the case, we beg to lay them before you, feeling assured 
 that you will adopt such measures as the Treaty warrants for the protection of native 
 Christians. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) GEORGE SMITH. 
 
 P.S. — ^The names of those who took a leading part in the riot are unknown to our 
 assistants, who belong to other parts of the Department. The Sin-chay Tipo could 
 doubtless give them if compelled to do so oflacially, 
 
 a. s. 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 The Bishop of Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon. — {Received December 7) 
 
 My Lord, St. Leonard' s-on- Sea, December 6, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's communication 
 dated the 13th I»J^ovember last. 
 
 Tour Lordship is pleased to inform me that Sir Eutherford Alcock proposed to call 
 on the Chinese Government to cause a searching and impartial investigation to be made 
 concerning the late outrage at Loyuen, with a view to justi-ce being done. 
 
 But, my Lord, the outrage in question was committed by the local Government 
 officials themselves. It was the Yamen police and the soldiery who, on the 20th June 
 last, demolished the mission premises and outraged the Christians. " The people took no 
 part in the attack. Many of them cried ' Shame,' and tried to persuade the soldiers to 
 withdraw. The magistrate himself also appeared upon the scene and took no step to prevent 
 the church being pulled down. The only direction he was heard to give was a permis- 
 sion to pull down the Church, but not to injure the houses that surrounded it." 
 
 To call, therefore, on the Chinese Government to make " the searching and impartial 
 inquiry " now proposed, instead of demanding reparation for the outrage enacted by the 
 Government itself, would be to weaken the force of the demand by seeming to doubt 
 whether a wrong had been really committed. 
 
 "Whether we appeal to tlie Imperial authorities in Peking or to the local authorities 
 in Loyuen, they are one in temper and design, viz., to expel the foreigner, both merchant 
 and missionary, and this, it may be feared, in order that the mandarins and their subor- 
 dinates may live upon the people. And, according to the known habit of the Imperial 
 Government, were the offending mandarin removed from his yam^n at Loyuen as a result 
 of Imperial investigation, he would, in all probability, be immediately promoted to a more 
 lucrative appointment elsewhere. 
 
 G 2 
 
42 
 
 But if we suppose that the Central Government are sincere in any profession they 
 might make in favour of " justice," that Government is helpless. Even if good intentions 
 could be assumed, it is imable, as Mr. Ross Browne, the late American Minister at Peking, 
 has clearly shown, to "preserve order, enforce the execution of Treaties, restrain the 
 corrupt practices of provincial officers, and render prompt redress to grievances complained 
 of." 
 
 In point of fact, the policy of the Imperial Government is to perpetuate a course of 
 exaction upon the people under a system of bribery prevalent everywhere. The presence 
 of the merchant or of the missionary is, to some extent, a protection to the people. 
 Hence, in Loyuen, the attack made upon the property of the mission and the persons of 
 the Christians. 
 
 " The Tam^n officials in Loyuen gained their living by unjust ' squeezes' upon the 
 people in all cases of law-suits, &c." But the Christians regarded it as their duty to 
 abstain from all law-suits and to settle their differences among themselves. For this 
 reason, and this reason alone, was the outrage planned and perpetrated by the local 
 Government. And now to call upon the Chinese Government to investigate " with a 
 searching and impartial inquiry " with a view to justice being done seems to show so little 
 sense on our part of the heinousness of the crime that it is difficult to see how British 
 authority can escape contempt on the part of the astute Chinaman. 
 
 My Lord, to do justice in such a case as that now under notice there must be prompt 
 redress, and the means of such redress must be lodged in the hands of Her Britannic 
 Majesty's Consuls upon the spot. I admit this is to entrust great responsibility to the 
 Consulate Body in China. But it is a necessity. And it remains yet to be shown that such 
 power so intrusted either has been or is likely to be abused. An appeal to Peking is, in 
 effect, to abandon the case. It is not only a failure of justice toward the parties aggrieved, 
 but such an exhibition of weakness before the Chinese local authorities as to endanger the 
 personal safety of our countrymen in China, and almost invite the local Governors to 
 despise and assault us, and at length (unless the English be prepared to withdraw from 
 China) to necessitate war, with all its expenditure of treasure, loss of life, and commercial 
 disaster. Existing Treaties, however equitable, have only been yielded by China from a 
 fear of our power, and can only be maintained at least by its exhibition. The ports 
 now open would be closed immediately could the Chinese Government drive away the 
 foreigner. Diplomatic representation- at Peking would be abolished by the Imperial Govern- 
 ment to-morrow, had they the opportunity. Communication with foreigners has, from the 
 beginning, been disliked and resisted on their part, and is no less so now than ever. The 
 Chinese Government is a Pagan Government, and to expect from it the recognition of 
 international principles that regulate the action of Christian Powers, is to entertain a 
 delusive hope. 
 
 isTotwithstanding some superficial appearances to the contrary, the Chinese Govern- 
 ment is uncivilized, and incapable of maintaining confidential relations with foreigners. 
 And for Great Britain to attempt to sustain its relations with a Government of such a 
 character as with a mutual Christian power, is to proceed upon false premises, the result 
 of which, sooner or later, must be disastrous. 
 
 Your Lordship, in the letter before me, asserts that there is sufficient reason for believing 
 that Christian converts have assumed and acted on the assumption that, by embracing 
 Christianity, they have released thsmselves from the obligations of obedience to the local 
 authorities and from the discharge of their duties as subjects of the Emperor of China ; 
 and your Lordship thinks I should render valuable service to the missionary cause by 
 pointing out to the Protestant societies interested in it that they will do well to warn 
 their converts to the contrary. 
 
 I trust, my Lord, there is no apprehension on your part that Protestant missionaries 
 have encouraged or even permitted any such assumption or action on the part of their 
 converts. If such misapprehension unfortunately exists, allow me to assure you that you 
 do Protestant missionaries an injustice, and I am satisfied that the charge you have made 
 against the converts is without foundation. With the practice of the Eoman Catholic 
 missionaries and their converts I do not profess to be acquainted ; but with the opinions 
 and practice of the Church of England missionaries and their converts I am personally 
 familiar. And, in their defence, and in defence of other Protestant missionary bodies, 
 both European and American, with whom I have the honour of extensive personal 
 acquaintance in their missions, and at their work, I confidently testify that the injunctions 
 of the missionaries and the practice of their converts is the reverse of what your Lordship 
 appears to suppose. The missionaries would be false both to apostolic precept and 
 example if they failed to inculcate upon their native converts the plain command of Holy 
 Scripture (Rom. xiii, 1) — " Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there 
 
43 
 
 IS no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." It is only an act of 
 justice towards them on my part publicly to declare that I am satisfied both Protestant 
 missionaries and their converts are innocent of the charge in question. 
 ,.^ Possibly, my Lord, the practice of the native Christians at Loyiien in settling their 
 diflFerences among themselves, without bringing them unnecessarily before the Mandarin 
 may have suggested the accusation I am meeting. But, in this respect, 1 trust your 
 Lordship will not, upon consideration, hold them guilty of insubordination against the 
 local authorities. The same apostle who so clearly inculcated subjection to the powers 
 that be, peremptorily enforced the practice of the converts now under consideration 
 (1 Cor. VI, 1)— "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the 
 unjust, and not before the saints V In this respect I vindicate and admire the conduct 
 of the Loyuen converts, though it brought upon them the outrage an « unjust" Govern- 
 ment has inflicted. Nor in such conduct can I for a moment admit they can be fairly 
 charged with any violation of that subjection to the higher powers, as ordained of God, 
 which Protestant missionaries in China universally inculcate, and their Christian converts 
 universally render. 
 
 Tour Lordship concludes your important communication with the earnest recom- 
 mendation that the missionaries use the utmost caution in the prosecution of their 
 labours, and more especially confine their operations within the limits where Consular 
 protection and intervention may be rightfully and successfully exerted in their favour 
 until circumstances are more favourable. 
 
 My Lord, I have travelled with the missionaries to distant stations connected with 
 the Foochow and Mngpo missions. Last year I was at Loyuen, and confirmed in the 
 mission church now destroyed ; I visited Kucheng also, about 130 miles distant from 
 Foo-chow in another direction. And I have visited some of the stations of the Mngpo 
 mission, and Hang-chow, about 306 miles distant from the Consular port of Ningpo. 
 I desire to testify to the caution and discretion of the missionaries, whom I found 
 welcome everywhere. 
 
 The idea seems prevalent among some classes in England that the missionary forces 
 himself upon the people, and enters Chinese cities and sets up his abode there uninvited 
 and unwelcome. But, as a rule, Christianity takes root in a town or village through 
 native agency. A convert returns to his home after receiving the gospel elsewhere, or 
 he changes his abode and takes his Christianity with him. Pressing messages are sent 
 to the missionary to visit the place and to provide a teacher, and such messages are often 
 many times repeated with much entreaty before the invitation is accepted. And when 
 accepted, the missionary is scrupulous in conforming to Chinese regulations as to 
 residence within a city. I am bold to say, on authority I cannot question, that in the 
 late Tang-chow case all that a foreigner was required to do by Chinese law or custom had 
 been scrupulously fulfilled by the missionary, and that no alternative was left between 
 abandoning our Treaty rights and reinstating him at Yang-chow. I bear testimony not 
 only to the remarkable caution of the missionary body in China; but also to the friendly 
 feelings entertained toward them by the people, and that such friendliness is particularly 
 manifest in districts distant from the Treaty ports, so that the missionary is sometimes 
 safer far away in the interior than in nearer proximity to native authorities upon whom 
 he might have claim for personal protection. 
 
 Tour Lordship earnestly recommends that missionary operations should, for the 
 present at least, be confined within Consular limits. But allow me to observe that the 
 out-stations of our missions both at Foo-chow and at Ningpo form the principal scene of 
 successful labour in China. When, last year, I visited the Foo-chow Mission, the out- 
 stations, some of them long distances from the city, numbered 16; and for 15 native 
 communicants of our church at Foo-chow the missionaries numbered 75 in the out-stations ; 
 and for 44 native communicants in Ningpo, they numbered 95 in the 1 1 out-stations of 
 that mission, including 15 at Hang-chow, 300 miles beyond the limits of Her Britannic 
 Majesty's Consulate, 
 
 My Lord, to abandon the out-stations " until circumstances are more favourable" 
 would be to paralyze mission work in the two principal missions of the Church of 
 England in China. Nor could I deem it the duty of Christian missionaries to desert the 
 converts they have gained. To abandon the out-stations would appear to the Chinese 
 authorities so manifest a retreat we should soon have to contend for our position in the 
 Consular ports ; and the same reasons which would appear to justify withdrawal from 
 the former would soon be urged for withdrawal from the latter ; or, in other words, the 
 entire abandonment of missionary work in China. 
 
 With the policy of Great Britain in China, in a commercial view, it is not my 
 province to interfere. But in the missionary aspect of the case I am sure your Lord- 
 
44 
 
 ship will bear with me when I suggest, if Roman Catholic missionaries have penetrated 
 to the far "West, and reside there under French protection, is it fair or just that the 
 missionary of the Church of England should be prohibited advancing into the interior ? 
 
 But, my Lord, forgive me if I add, the Christian missionary has a commission from 
 his Heavenly Master, — " Gro ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every 
 creature" (Mark xvi, 15). Under this Divine commission the missionary must in faith- 
 fulness and love carry his message into the interior of China as into every part of the 
 globe. And, even if the English Government should shrink from giving him that 
 protection which the French Government effectually afford the missionaries of the Church 
 of Eome (not that the Protestant missionary asks a like protection for himself or for his 
 converts, though he would respectfully protest against prohibitory restrictions contrary 
 to the spirit of his Divine Lord's plain command), it will be found the faithful messenger 
 of the gospel will still go wherever an opening, in providence, presents itself, though it 
 be at the risk of his own life. But, my Lord, the record of Christian missions attests that 
 the Protestant missionary will open China to the honourable enterprise of British 
 merchants ; for Christianity has always been the pioneer of civilization and commerce. 
 Therefore, let me entreat your Lordship, as you would further the mutual interest of 
 Great Britain and China, to speed the missionary on his philanthropic errand. And let 
 the desire to impart civilization and morality, and to promote justice, religion, and 
 piety, characterize the intercourse of Great Britain with the 444,000,000 of the human 
 race in China. 
 
 I have &c 
 (Signed) ' CHAELES E. VICTORIA. 
 
 Ifo. 9. 
 The Earl of Clarendon to the Bishop of Victoria. 
 
 My Lord, Foreign Office, December 13, 1869. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter of the 6th 
 of December, having reference to a communication made to you by Mr. Hammond, by 
 my direction, on the 13th of Ilfovember, respecting missionaries in China and their 
 converts. 
 
 I beg to state to your Lordship, in reply, that Her Majesty's Government regret that 
 they cannot extend to missionary operations in China the degree of support which I 
 gather from your letter is sought by those who are interested in them. I can only refer 
 your Lordship to the correspondence on these matters which was laid before Parliament 
 in the last Session, and to Mr. Hammond's letter of the 13th of liJovember, as setting 
 forth the course which Her Majesty's Government consider it to be their duty, as it is 
 their intention, to pursue in regard to such matters ; being convinced that any other 
 course would tend to endanger the maintenance of peace between this country and 
 China, and to put in jeopardy the vast commercial interests of Her Majesty's subjects 
 in that country, which can only be secured by a policy of forbearance and conciliation on 
 the part of Her Majesty's Government. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) CLAEEKDON. 
 
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CHINA. No. 3 (1871). 
 
 CIRCTJLAE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHINESE GOYEENMENT, 
 
 COMMUNICATED BY THE 
 
 FRENCH CHARGE D'AFFAIRES. 
 
 Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 
 
 1871. 
 
 LONDON: 
 IfRINTET) UY nAnUlSON AND SONS. 
 
 [0.— 366.J Price 2\d. 
 
Circular of the Chinese Government, communicated by the 
 
 French Charge^ d' Affaires. 
 
 Note from the Yamin on the subject of Missions. 
 
 ^^.^"^^"® ^^^.^"is^.^'^ces et la Chine se sont propos6 k I'origine en signant 
 des Traites a 6t6 d'etablir une situation permanente leur assurant des avantages 
 r6ciproques et ^cartant les abus. Cependant, I'experience des derni^res ann^es a 
 demontr^ que non seulement ces Traites ne remplissent pas ce but de permanence, 
 mais qu'ils sont d^s k present d'une execution difficile. Le commerce n'a point 
 occasionn6 des differends entre la Chine et lejs Puissances. II n'en est pas de 
 mgme des missions, qui engendrent des abus toujours croissants. Bien qu'il 
 ait ^te declare k I'origine que I'objet premier des missions etait d'exhorter les 
 hommes a la vertu, le Catholicisme, en suscitant des embarras au peuple, a produit 
 en Chine un effet contraire. (Ce resultat facheux) est uniqueraent attribuable a 
 I'mefficacite du mode d'action (suivi en la matiere). II est done urgent d'aviser 
 a remedier au mal et de rechercher une solution satisfaisante de la difficulte. 
 En effet, cette question est de celles qui influent sur les grands int^r^ts de la paix 
 des nations, et sur ceux, ^galement considerables, de leur commerce. Partout ou 
 les misaionnaires Catholiques ont paru ils se sont attire I'animadversion du peuplcj 
 et votre Excellence n'ignore pas que les affaires qui se sont pr^sent^es depuis 
 plusieurs annees renfermaient des points de disaccord de toute nature. 
 
 Les premiers missionnaires Catholiques qui se sont ^tablis en Chine dtaient 
 
 appel^s " lettres de I'Occident." La plupart des conversions s'op^raient alors parmi 
 
 les gens honorables. Par contre, depuis que des Traites ont ^te ^chang^s (I860) 
 
 la majeure partie des convertis sont des gens sans vertu, de sorte que la religion, 
 
 qui a pour but d'exhorter les hommes k la vertu, nejouit plus d'aucune consideration. 
 
 L'inquietude s'est d^s lors empar^e des consciences. Les Chretiens n'en ont 
 
 pas moins continue k I'ombre de I'influence des missionnaires k malmener et k 
 
 opprimer le peuple ; de 1^ une recrudescence d'inqui^tude, puis des querelles entre 
 
 Chretiens et non-Chretiens, et enfin des troubles. Les autorit^s proc^dent £i I'instruc- 
 
 tion de I'affaire, les missionnaires prennent fait et cause pour les Chretiens, et les 
 
 soutiennent dans leur insubordination envers ces m^mes autorit^s. Alors le malaise 
 
 qui r^gne parmi le peuple prend des proportions plus grandes. II y a plus, d'anciens 
 
 rebelles hors la loi, des amateurs de chicane, cherchent un refuge dans r^glisCj 
 
 et s'appuyent sur son influence pour commettre des d6sordres- A ce moment les 
 
 rancunes d^j^ profondes du peuple deg^n^rent en s'accumulant en une haine qui 
 
 atteint enfin son paroxysme. Le peuple en g^n^ral, ignorant la difference qui 
 
 existe entre le Protestantisme et le Catholicisme, comprend ces deux religions sous 
 
 cette dernidre denomination. II ne saisit pas la distinction qui doit 6tre fait entre 
 
 les diff^rentes nations dont se compose I'Europe et donne aux Europ^ens le nom 
 
 g^nerique " d'hommes de I'exterieur/' de sorte que quand des troubles ^clatent les 
 
 Strangers residant en Chine sont tous exposes aux m^mes perils. Dans les 
 
 provinces m^mes oOi des conflits ne se sont pas encore produits, l'inquietude et le 
 
 soupgon naitront certainement parmi le peuple. Un tel etat de choses n'est-il pas 
 
 de nature a occasionner une vive irritation et par suite de grave desordres ? Les 
 
 differences qui existent entre les religions et les nationalites sont des verites qui 
 
 echappent encore aux masses, malgre les efforts constants qui ont ete tentes pour les 
 
 [299] B 2 
 
leur faire appr^cier. Le Prince et les membres du Yam6n, depuis dix ans qu'ils 
 sont k la t6te des affaires, sont en proie k des soucis incessants. Ces precautions ont 
 6t6 justifi^es par les 6v^nements de Tien-tsin, dont la soudainete a ^t^ foudroyante. 
 Le proems des fonctionnaires (compromis) a et6 instruit, les meurtriers ont subi la 
 peine capitale, une indemnity et des secours ont 6te pay6s ; mais bien que I'affaire 
 soit aujourd'hui presque rdgl^e le Prince et les membres du Yamen ne peuvent 
 ^carter I'inqui^tude de leur coeur. En effet, si cette politique est la seule sur 
 laquelle on puisse compter (pour regler) les diff^rends entre Chretiens et non- 
 Chretiens, elle deviendra plus pr^caire en raison de I'obligation ou on sera d'y 
 recourir plus souvent, et des d^sordres comme ceux de Tien-tsin ser^produiront plus 
 terribles chaque fois. Si on envisage la question sous son aspect actuel, on se 
 demande comment il est possible de s'entendre et de vivre de part et d'autre en paix. 
 C'est non seulement aux haines engendr^es par les rancunes contenues du peuple, 
 mais certainement aussi aux provocations des Chretiens qu'il faut attribuer les 
 conflits k propos des missions qui surgissent dans ces provinces. Si, d'un c6t6, ces 
 conflits ont p<i etre amends par I'inefficacit^ relative de I'administration locale, ils 
 sont certainement aussi attribuables a la maniere d'etre des hauts fonctionnaires, 
 Chinois et Europ^ens, charges de la direction des affaires (int^ressant les deux 
 pays) qui, connaissant I'attitude peu conciliante des missionnaires et des Chretiens, 
 ne mettent aucune bonne volont6 a rechercher les moyens de rem^dier au mal. 
 
 Du c6t6 des Europ^ens on ne vise qu'^ se d^barrasser de la preoccupation du 
 
 moment, sans s'inqui^ter si onporte ainsi atteinte ou non au repos des consciences; 
 
 on ne songe qu'k user de coercition. D'une autre part, les autorit^s locales n'ont 
 
 qu'un seul but, celui de terminer I'affaire ; des preoccupations d'avenir n'entrent pour 
 
 rien dans cette politique k courte vue. Que si nous recherchons de concert avec 
 
 les Europ6ens a assurer par des moyens efficaces une entente reellement durable, 
 
 nous ne trouvons pas chez ces derniers le desir d'asseoir la discussion sur des bases 
 
 ^quitables. Quand cette discussion s'etablit, on nous met en presence de moyens 
 
 inacceptables qu'on pretend nous imposer par la violence afin de pouvoir arrSter 
 
 I'affaire. Ce n'est certes pas la la bonne et vraie maniere de prendre soin des 
 
 int^rfets des deux pays. Portant leur sollicitude sur I'ensemble de la question, et 
 
 d6sirant sinc6rement que la concorde et la paix r^gnent k jamais entre la Chine et 
 
 I'Europe, le Prince et les membres du Yam^n sont tenus de rechercher les moyens 
 
 les plus propres k assurer ce r^sultat. Ils croient savoir qu'il y a partout des 
 
 eccMsiastiques en Europe, et que leur presence k I'^tranger y est sans danger pour 
 
 la bonne harmonic. Le maintien de cette heureux etat de choses est sans doute 
 
 du a I'emploi de certaines moyens, et a ce fait, qu'ecclesiastiques et Chretiens 
 
 s'abstiennent de provoquer des conflits. Le Prince et les membres du Yamen ont 
 
 entendu dire que ces m§mes ecclesiastiques, k quelque nationality qu'ils appar- 
 
 tinssent, respectaient la loi et les coutumes da pays ou ils habitaient, qu'il ne leur 
 
 etait pas permis de s'y constituer une sorte d'ind^pendance d'exception, et que les 
 
 delits de toute nature, tels que les contraventions a la loi, I'insubordination k 
 
 I'autorite des fonctionnaires, les abus et les usurpations de pouvoirs, les actes atten- 
 
 tatoires k la reputation des gens et oppressifs envers le peuple qui provoquent ses 
 
 soupgons et son ressentiraent, y etaient severement r^primes. Si les missionnaires, 
 
 avant de construire des etablissements religieux en Chine et d'y pr6cher leur doctrine, 
 
 evitaient de se rendre odieux aux notables et au peuple, les suspicions disparaitraient 
 
 pour faire place k une confiance mutuelle, la concorde serait permanente, on ne 
 
 verrait pas les ^glises d^truites, la religion attaquee. Si ces mdmes missionnaires 
 
 dans la poursuite de leur ceuvre pouvaient inspirer a la multitude la conviction que 
 
 leurs actes ne sont point en contradiction avec leurs enseignements; si, restant sourds 
 
 aux instigations des Chretiens, ils 6vitaient, en s'interdisant toute ing6rence dans 
 
 I'administration locale, de preter le concours de leur influence £i des actes arbitraires 
 
 et oppressifs qui engendrent des haines parmi les notables et le peuple, ils vivraient 
 
 en parfaite harmonie avec les gens, et les fonctionnaires seraient en mesure de les 
 
 proteger. Loin de la les agissements des personnes qui viennent aujourd'hui en 
 
 Chine y propager la religion Chretienne sont en desaccord complet avec les 
 
 renseignements que le Prince et le Yamen ont recueillis (sur les devoirs que leur 
 
 impose leur sacerdoce). Ces personnes fondent chez nous comme un nombre 
 
 indetermine d'^tats dans I'etat. Comment, dans ces conditions, esperer qu'une 
 
 entente durable s'etablisse et eviter qu'administrants et administres ne s'unissent 
 
 contre elles dans une communaute d'hostilite? Le Prince et les membres du Yamen 
 
 sont penetres du desir de parer d^s a present a des eventualites si menagantes. 
 
 En effet ils craignent en toute sinc^rite qu'apres le rdglement de I'affaire de 
 
1 len-tsin I'animosit^ des ignorants Chretiens de I'Empire ne prenne un caract^re plus 
 accentu6 d'lnsoiente fanfarronnade que I'amertume du ressentiment populaire 
 n augmente, et que tant de rancunes accumul^es, faisant soudainement explosion, ne 
 determinent une catastrophe. 11 ne serait plus alors possible aux autorites locales, 
 ni aux hauts fonctionnaires provinciaux, ni meme au Tsung-li Yam^n, de faire 
 pr6valoir leur autorit^. Dans I'^ventualite' d'un soul^vement g6n6ral en Chine, 
 PEmpereur pourra d^l^guer de hauts dignitaires, leur ordonner d'assembler partout 
 des forces imposantes ; mais les derni^res rigueurs n'atteignent pas les masses, 
 et quand leur coldre se manifeste, il est des gens qui refusent de livrer leur t^te au 
 ^bourreau. Quand alors le mal sera sans remade et que le d^sir que nous avons les 
 uns et les autres de sauvegarder des int^rSts si grands ne pourra plus fetre suivi d'effet, 
 les hommes qui dirigent les affaires Internationales de Chine et d'Europe ne seront pas 
 admis k decliner la responsabilit6 qui leur incombe. Bref, dans la direction des 
 affaires, le point important en Chine comme en Europe est de donner satisfaction k 
 Topinioq. Si, manquant a ce devoir, on use d'oppression et de violence, un souleve- 
 ment g^n^ral finira par avoir lieu. II y a des moments oii I'autorit^ supr&me est 
 m^connue. Si les hauts fonctionnaires Chinois et Europ^ens, sur qui retombe la 
 responsabilit6 des affaires qui font I'objet de nos preoccupations, assistant specta- 
 teurs impassibles k une situation qui implique les plus grands dangers pour le 
 peuple Chinois, ainsi que pour les etrangers, n^gociants et particuliers, ne font aucun 
 effort pour trouver une solution qui rem^die efficacement au mal, il sera par la suite 
 hors de leur pouvoir de traiter d'une fa^on satisfaisante les affaires qui int^ressent 
 le public. Cons^quemment, en vue de sauvegarder les grands int^r^ts de la paix 
 g^nerale et de remedier aux abus signal^s plus haut, le Prince et les membres du 
 Yam^n ont I'honneur de soumettre k I'examen de votre Excellence un projet de 
 r^glement en huit Articles, qui a 6te 6galement communique aux Representants des 
 autres Puissances. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE object which the Powers and China had before them originally in signing 
 Treaties was to establish a permanent situation which should ensure them reciprocal 
 advantages and remove abuses. However, the experience of the last few years 
 has demonstrated that not only do these Treaties not attain this desired end of 
 permanency, but also that, up to the present time, they are difficult to carry into 
 execution. Trade has in no degree occasioned differences between China and the 
 Powers. The same cannot be said of the missions, which engender ever-increasing 
 abuses. Although in the first instance it may have been declared that the primary 
 object of the missions was to exhort men to virtue, Catholicism, in causing vexation 
 to the people, has produced a contrary effect in China. (This regrettable result) is 
 solely attributable to the inefEcacy of the plan of action (followed in this matter). 
 It is, therefore, urgent that steps should be taken to remedy this evil and to search 
 for a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. In fact, this question is one bearing 
 upon those which influence the leading interests of the peace of nations, as well as 
 those of their trade, which are equally considerable. Wherever the Catholic 
 missionaries have appeared, they have drawn upon themselves the animadversion 
 of the people, and your Excellency is not ignorant that cases which have arisen 
 during the course of several years embraced points of disagreement of every kind. 
 
 The first Catholic missionaries who established themselves in China were called 
 " literates (lettr^s) of the West." The greater part of the conversions took place at 
 that time among respectable people. On the other hand, since the conclusion of the 
 Treaties took place (1860), the majority of the converts are persons without virtue ; 
 so that that religion, whose object is to exhort men to virtue, no longer enjoys any 
 consideration. From that moment consciences have become a prey to uneasiness. 
 The Christians have none the less continued, under the shadow of missionary 
 influence, to mislead and oppress the people : thence arose renewed uneasiness, 
 then quarrels between Christians and non-Christians, and, at last, disturbances. The 
 authorities proceed to investigate the affair ; the missionaries make common cause 
 with the Christians, and support them in their insubordination against the same 
 authorities. Thereupon the feeling of disquiet which pervades the people assumes 
 greater proportions. Yet more : veteran rebels, beyond the pale of the law, 
 amateurs in intrigue, seek a refuge in the Church., and lean upon her influence in 
 
order to commit disorders. At this moment the animosity of the people, already deep, 
 degenerates gradually into a hate which, at length, reaches its paroxysm. The 
 people in general, unaware of the difference which exists between Protestantism 
 and Catholicism, confound these two religions under this latter denomination. They 
 do not grasp the distinction which should be made between the different nations of 
 which Europe is composed, and give to Europeans the generic name of "men from 
 without;" so that, when troubles break out, foreigners residing in China are all 
 exposed to the same dangers. Even in the provinces where conflicts have not yet 
 taken place, uneasiness and suspicion will certainly appear among the people. Is not 
 such a state of things of a nature to occasion a lively feeling of irritation, and, as a 
 result, grave disorders ? The differences which exist between the rehgions and the 
 nationalities are truths which still are beyond the comprehension of the masses, in 
 spite of the constant efforts which have been exerted in order to make them appreciate 
 their nature. The Prince and the members of the Yam§n, during the ten years in 
 which they have been at the head of affairs, have been a prey to incessant anxiety. 
 These precautions have been justified by the events at Tien-tsin, the suddenness of 
 which was overwhelming. The proceedings against the functionaries (compro- 
 mised) have been begun, the murderers have suffered capital punishment, an 
 indemnity has been paid, and relief given; but, although the affair may to-day 
 be almost settled, the Prince and the members of the Yam^n cannot throw off the 
 uneasiness which they feel. In fact, if this policy is the only one on which one 
 can rely (to settle) tfie differences between Christians and non-Christians, it will 
 become more precarious in proportion to the necessity there will be to recur to it 
 oftener, and the disorders like those of Tien-tsin will be repeated more terribly each 
 time. If the question is looked at under its present aspect, the question is, how is 
 it possible to be on good terms and to live on either side in peace. It is not only to 
 the hatred engendered by the suppressed animosities of the people, but decidedly 
 also to the provocations of the Christians, that the conflicts on the missionary 
 question which arise in these provinces must be attributed. If, on one side, these 
 conflicts may have been brought about by the relative incapacity of the local 
 administration, they can certainly also be attributed to the conduct of the high 
 Chinese and European functionaries charged with the direction of affairs (affecting 
 the two countries), who, knowing the want of conciliation in the attitude of the 
 missionaries and Christians, show no good will in seeking for the means of 
 remedying the evil. 
 
 With regard to the Europeans they only aim at getting rid of the difficulties 
 of the moment, without troubling themselves whether by so doing consciences are 
 disturbed ; to employ coercion is all that is thought of. On the other hand, the 
 local authorities have only one object, that of bringing the matter to a close. Care 
 for the future goes for nothing in this shortsighted policy. But if we seek, in 
 concert with the Europeans, to secure by efficacious means a really lasting under- 
 standing, we do not find among these latter the desire to found the discussion on 
 equitable bases. When this discussion arises, they place before us unacceptable 
 means which they wish to impose on us by force, in order to be able to put a stop 
 to the matter. That is, in truth, not the good and true way to take care of the 
 interests of the two countries. Anxious about the whole matter, and sincerely 
 desirous that concord and peace should reign for ever between China and Europe, 
 the Prince and the members of the Yam6n are bound to seek the best means to secure 
 this result. Their belief is, that there are ecclesiastics everywhere in Europe, and 
 that their presence abroad is there without danger to good harmony. The main- 
 tenance of this happy state of things is, doubtless, due to the employment of certain 
 means, and to this fact, that ecclesiastics and Christians abstain from provoking 
 conflicts. The Prince and the members of the Yam^n have heard that these same 
 ecclesiastics, to whatever nationality they might belong, respected the law and 
 customs of the country where they dwelt; that they were not allowed to constitute 
 in them a kind of exceptional independence for themselves ; and that the faults of 
 every kind, such as contraventions of the law, insubordination towards the authority 
 of functionaries, abuses and usurpations of powers, acts prejudicial to the reputa- 
 tion of people, and oppressive towards the people which provoke its suspicions and 
 its resentment, are there severely repressed. If the missionaries, before constructing 
 the religious establishments in China and preaching their doctrine there, avoided 
 making themselves odious to the principal men and people, the suspicions would 
 disappear to give place to a mutual confidence, concord would be permanent, one 
 
would not see churches destroyed, and religion attacked. If these same missionaries, 
 in pursuit of their work, could inspire in the masses the conviction that their acts 
 are not opposed to their teaching ; if, remaining deaf to the instigations of the 
 Christians, they avoided, by denying themselves, all interference in the local 
 administration, giving the support of their influence to arbitrary and oppressive acts 
 which engender hatred among the notables and the people, they might live in 
 perfect harmony with the people, and the functionaries would be in a position to 
 protect them. Far different is the conduct of the persons who now come to China 
 to propagate therein the Christian religion. From the information which the Prince 
 and the YamSn have gathered (respecting the duties imposed on them by their 
 priesthood); these persons found as it were among us an undetermined number 
 of States within the State, How, under these conditions, can we hope that a durable 
 understanding should be established, and to prevent the governors and the governed 
 uniting against them in common hostility ? 
 
 The Prince and the members of the YamSn are impressed with the desire to 
 
 ward off from henceforth eventualities so menacing. In fact, they fear in all 
 
 sincerity lest, after the arrangement of the Tien-tsin affair, the animosity of the 
 
 ignorant Christians of the Empire should take a more decided tone of insolent 
 
 bluster, that the bitterness of the popular resentment should increase, and that so 
 
 much accumulated bad feeling, causing a sudden explosion, should bring about a 
 
 catastrophe. It would then be no longer possible for the local authorities, nor for 
 
 the high provincial functionaries, nor even for the Tsung-li Yam^n, to assert their 
 
 authority. In the event of a general rising in China, the Emperor will be able to 
 
 appoint high dignitaries to order them to assemble everywhere imposing forces ; 
 
 but the greatest rigour does not reach the masses, and when their anger manifests 
 
 itself, there are persons who refuse to yield their heads to the executioner. Then, 
 
 when the evil becomes irremediable, and when the wish we all have to preserve so 
 
 great interests will no longer be effectual, the men who direct the international affairs 
 
 of China and of Europe will not be suffered to decline the responsibility which falls 
 
 on them. In short, in the direction of affairs, the important point in China as in 
 
 Europe is to satisfy opinion. If failing in this duty, oppression and violence are 
 
 employed, a general rising will at last take place. There are moments when the 
 
 supreme authority is disregarded. If the high functionaries of China and the 
 
 Europeans, on whom rests the responsibility of the affairs which now form the 
 
 object of our anxiety, remaining unmoved spectators of a situation which threatens 
 
 the greatest danger to the Chinese people, as well as to strangers, traders and 
 
 individuals, make no effort to find a solution which ma)' effectually remedy the 
 
 evil, it will follow that it will be out of their power to deal in a satisfactory manner 
 
 with the matters which interest the public, Consequently with the view of 
 
 protecting the great interests of general peace, and of remedying the abuses above 
 
 pointed out, the Prince and the members of ihe Yam^n have the honour to submit, 
 
 for your Excellency's examination, a plan of Regulation in eight Articles, which 
 
 has also been communicated to the Representatives of other Powers. 
 
 Inclosure. 
 Draft of Regulations. 
 
 Article 1 . LES Chretiens lorsqu'ils fondent un orphelinat n'en avertissent pas 
 les autorites et ont I'air d'agir avec mystere ; de \k les soupfons et la haine du 
 peuple. En cessant de recueillir les enfants, disparaitraient en mdme temps tous 
 les mauvais bruits qui circulent. Si cependant on veut continuer cette oeuvre, il 
 faudrait recueillir seulement les enfants des Chretiens n^cessiteux, et alors on devrait 
 avertir les autorites qui inscriraient le jour de I'entr^e de I'enfant, le nom de ses 
 parents, et le jour de sa sortie, II faudrait aussi qu'il fut permis 4 des Strangers de 
 pouvoir adopter ces enfants ; de cette manidre on arriverait ^ un bon r^sultat, Enfin 
 quand il s'agirait d'enfants non Chretiens les hauts fonctionnaires devraient donner 
 des ordres aux autorites locales pour qu'ils choisissent des sortes de fond^s de 
 pouvoir qui pourraient prendre toutes les decisions qui leur paraitraient convenablea, 
 
 En Chine les regies qui r^issent les orphelinats sont: qu'4 I'entrde et t la 
 sortie des enfants on prenne note de la personne qui les confie ou de celle qui les 
 adopte, la declaration faite aux autorites, la permission donn6e aux parents de 
 visiter leurs enfants. Quand ces derniers sont devenua grands ils peuvent dtre 
 
6 
 
 adopt^s par une personne n'ayant pas d'enfantsou repris par les parents eux-m6mes, 
 et alors n'importe k quelle religion on les a confi6s, ils reviennent k la religion de 
 leurs p^res. L'enfant doit aussi 6tre en tout bien traits. En exer9ant cette oeuvre 
 de bienfaisance, elle devient une oeuvre des plus respectables. 
 
 Nous avons entendu dire que dans chaque pays les choses k cet egard se 
 passaient k peu pr^s comme en Chine. Comment se fait-il qu'arriv^s dans notre 
 pays les Strangers ne suivent plus ces coutumes ? Ils ne prennent pas note de la 
 famille a laquelle appartient l'enfant et n'avertissent pas les autorit^s. Une fois que 
 l'enfant est entr6 dans la maison on ne permet pas a d'autres personnes de I'adopter, 
 ni aux parents de le reprendre, ni m&me de le visiter. Tout cela fait concevoir des 
 soupQons et excite la haine du peu pie, et peu a peu on arrive a une affaire comme 
 celle de Tien-tsin. Bien que dans un rapport nous ayons dementi tous ces bruits 
 d'arrachements d'yeux et de cceur, le peuple cependant conserve encore des doutes, 
 et si m6me nous parvenons a lui fermer la bouche nous ne pouvons arracher ces 
 doutes de son esprit. Ce sont ces sortes d'inqui^tudes qui donnent naissance a de 
 terribles ^venements. Ce serait une bonne chose que d'abolir les orphelinats 
 etrangers et de les transporter en Europe, ou on pourrait exercer sa bienfaisance 
 tout a son aise : il appartiendrait alors aux Chinois de venir au secours des enfants. 
 Du reste dans chaque province nous avons de nombreux orphelinats, et cependant 
 les dtrangers veulent k toute force nous prater un concours dont nous n'avons 
 aucunement besoin. Certes c'est avec de bonnes intentions qu'ils agissent ainsi, 
 mais il n'est pas moins vrai que leur conduite soul^ve des soup9on3 et excite la 
 colore, II serait de beaucoup preferable que chacun exerg^t la bienfaisance dans son 
 propre pays, et alors aucun 6v6nement regrettable ne pourrait surgir. 
 
 Article 2. Les femmes ne devront plus entrer dans les eglises ni les soeurs 
 de charity demeurer en Chine pour y enseigner la religion. Cette mesure ne fera 
 que rendre les Chretiens plus respectables et aura pour r^sultat de faire cesser les 
 mauvais bruits. 
 
 En Chine la bonne reputation et la modestie sont choses fort importantes ; les 
 hommes et les femmes ne peuvent m^me pas se toucher la main, ni demeurer 
 ensemble ; il doit y avoir une sorte de ligne de separation qu'on ne peut franchir. 
 Apr^s le Traite, libert6 entiere fut donnee aux Chretiens, et alors les hommes et les 
 femmes allerent ensemble k I'^glise ; de la des rumeurs dans le public. II y a des 
 endroits memes ou les hommes et les femmes se trouvent ensemble non seulement k 
 r^glise, mais encore dans I'interieur de la maison. Le public regardant cela d'une 
 manidre l^gdre congoit des soup^ons et pense qu'il se passe des choses contraires k 
 I'honnetete. 
 
 Article 3. Les missionnaires r^sidant en Chine doivent se conformer aux lois 
 et aux usages de la Chine, II ne leur est pas permis de s'y constituer une sorte 
 d'independance d'exception, de se montrer recalcitrants a I'autorite du Gouverne- 
 ment et des fonctionnaires, de s'attribuer des pouvoirs qui ne leur appartiennent 
 pas, de porter atteinte a la reputation des gens, d'opprimer le peuple, et de d^nigrer 
 la doctrine de Confucius, ce par quoi ils donnent matidre aux soupcons, aux 
 ressentiments et a I'indignation des masses. Les missionnaires doivent se soumettre 
 comme tout le monde k I'autorite des fonctionnaires locaux et les Chretiens Chinois 
 gtre, en tout cas, traites selon la loi commune ; a I'exception des frais des solennites 
 theitrales et du culte des divinites protectrices des campagnes, auxquels ils sont 
 dispenses de contribuer, les Chretiens ne peuvent se soustraire aux requisitions 
 et aux corvees, et sont tenus d'accepter, comme tout le mpnde, les charges 
 imposees par I'administration locale. A plus forte raison ils ne peuvent se refuser 
 a payer I'integralite des impots fonciers et des fermages, non plus que les 
 missionnaires les diriger et les soutenir dans les infractions a la regie commune. 
 Les affaires litigieuses entre Chretiens et non-Chretiens ressortent a la juridiction 
 equitable des autorites, et ne peuvent §tre abandonnees au patronage des 
 missionnaires. Ces derniers ne doivent pas eloigner des tribunaux les Chretiens 
 demandeurs ou defendeurs, ce qui, dans un proces, entraine des retards et porte 
 ainsi prejudice aux autres parties interessees. Au cas oil des missionnaires se 
 permettraient de s'immiscer dans des affaires en dehors de leur province, les 
 autorites locales devront renvoyer leurs communications verbales ou ecrites aux 
 hauts fonctionnaires provinciaux, qui en refereront k leur tour au Tsong-ly Yamen, 
 afin qu'il soit ulterieurement avisl au rapatriement de ces m^mes missionnaires. 
 Dans le cas ou des Chretiens dans des litiges a propos d'alliances matrimoniales ou 
 de biens fonciers se targueraient de leur qualite de Chretiens pour invoquer 
 I'intervention des missionnaires, ils seront punis sev^rement par les autorites. 
 
 La Chine honore la religion de Confucius; on y professe en outre celle de 
 
Boudha et du Tao, ainsi qui la doctrine des Lamas. Or, il n'est pas d'exemple que 
 ces derniers bien qu'ils ne soient pas Cliinois, m^connaissent les decisions des 
 autoritds Chinoises, leur donnant raison ou tort. Nous entendons dire que les 
 mifesionnaires sont soumis a I'^tranger k la legislation du pays ou ils habitent, et qu'il 
 leur est interdit de s'y constituer ind^pendants, de contrevenir k la loi, deeommettre 
 des usurpations d'autorit6, de porter atteinte k la reputation des gens ou de leur 
 causer des prejudices, ainsi que d'exciter le soupgon et le ressentiment du peuple. 
 De meme les missionnaires qui enseignent leur religion en Chine doivent se soumettre 
 k I'autorite des magistrats de ce pays; n^anmoins, ils se montrent orgueilleusement 
 ind^pendants et meconnaissent I'autorit^ des fonctionnaires. Ne se raettent-ils pas 
 ainsi eux-m6mes hors la loi ? Les Chretiens en Chine restent sujets Chinois et n'en 
 sont que plus tenus a demeurer fid^es k leur devoirs. II ne peut 6tre dtabli en aucun 
 cas de difference entre eux et le reste du peuple. Les Chretiens des villes et des 
 campagnes doivent vivre en bonne harmonic avec leur compatriotes. Cependant 
 dans les affaires int^ressant le public, quand des souscriptions populaires sont 
 ouvertes ou des corv^es requises, ils setarguentde leur quality de Chretiens pour se 
 derober a ces charges. Eux-m^mes cr^ent (en leur faveur) une exception. Comment 
 eviter que le reste du peuple maintienne (contre eux) cette exception? II y a plus, 
 ils refusent I'impot et les corvees, ils intimident les fonctionnaires, ils oppriment les 
 gens qui n'appartiennent pas a leur religion. Les missionnaires strangers ne se 
 rendent pas un compte exact de la situation : non seulement ils donnent asile k des 
 Chretiens qui se sont rendus coupables de d^lits et refusent de les livrer k la justice, 
 mais encore ils consentent k prot^ger injustement des gens qui ne se sont convertis 
 que parcequ'ils avaient commis quelque crime. Dans les provinces, les missionnaires 
 se font aupres des autorit^s locales les avocats des Chretiens qui ont des proems. 
 Temoin cette femme Chr^tienne de Sze-chuen qui exigeait de ses fermiers des 
 paiements en nature qui ne lui etaient pas dus, et commit ulterieurement un assassinat, 
 Un 6v6que Frangais se permit d'adresser aux autorit^s une d^pgche pour plaider la 
 cause de cette femme, et lui procura I'impunit^. Ce fait souleva parmi les gens 
 du Sze-chuen des haines qui subsistent encore aujourd'hui. Dans le Kouei-cheou 
 les Chretiens qui ont des procfes s'intitulent Chretiens dans I'acte d'accusation, k. 
 seule fin de se procurer gain de cause. C'est la un abus bien connu. II arrive 
 aussi que deux families etant unies par des liens matrimoniaux, une de ces families 
 se convertit au Christianisme, puis force celle qui ne s'est pas convertie k rompre 
 I'alliance. Entre gens du m&rae sang on a vu des p^res et des freres ainds, apres 
 s'^tre convertis, porter une accusation pour manquement aux devoirs de famille 
 contre leurs enfants a leurs cadets, par la seule raison que ces derniers avaient 
 refuse de se convertir. Ces actes sont encourages par les missionnaires. De telles 
 pratiques ne sont-elles pas de nature k exciter au plus haut degre I'indignation 
 populaire ? 
 
 Article 4. Les Chinois et les etrangers vivant ensemble doivent Hre conduits 
 d'aprds les mgme regies. Par exemple, si un homme en tue un autre, il doit 6tre 
 puni, si c'est un Chinois selon la loi Chinoise, si c'est un Stranger suivant la loi de 
 son pays. En agissant ainsi, le bon ordre r6gnera. Peu importe la inani^re dont les 
 Chinois ou les Strangers traitent cette affaire, ce qu'il faut c'est une punition. 
 Mais une fois que cette punition a 6i6 infligee que I'on n§ vienne pas r^clamer des 
 indemnit^s, et surtout que Ton ne cherche pas le soi-disant fauteur du crime 
 pour exiger de lui une certaine somme. C'est aux autorit^s locales qu'il appartient 
 de juger les diffSrends qui peuvent s'^lever entre les Chretiens et le peuple. 
 Si c'est un paien qui a des torts envers un Chretien, il doit 6tre puni plus ou 
 raoins sev^reraent selon la gravite du delit; de m^me s'il s'agit d'un Chretien accus^ 
 par un paien, Le fonctionnaire doit toujours juger avec la plus parfaite justice et 
 la plus grande impartiality. 
 
 Si un Chretien se conduit en tout contrairement aux regies, I'autorite locale 
 prend des informations, et si quelqu'un accuse ce Chretien on saisit ce dernier pour 
 le juger. Mais il ne faut pas qu'^ ce moment les missionnaires se presentent pour 
 le d^fendre et le disculper. Si le cas se pr^sentait d'un missionnaire empSchant 
 un Chretien de se rendre aux injonctions de I'autorite, il faudrait punir non seule- 
 ment le Chretien mais aussi le missionnaire, ou du moins le renvoyer dans son pays. 
 
 La sixi^me ann^e du r^gne de Tong-tche, un missionnaire, M. Mabileau, fut 
 tu6 dans le Sze-chuen. Le meurtrier, nomm^ Jan Lao-won, fut arr^t^ et condamn6 k 
 mort. Mais entre tela, M. Mihi^res vint accuser un homme faisant partie de la 
 classe des lettr^s d'avoir 6t6 I'instigateur de ce meurtre et exiger de lui une indemnity 
 de 80,000 taels. 
 
 [299] C 
 
8 
 
 Les individus qui commettent des d^sordres appartiennent d'ordinaire a la plus 
 basse elasse du peuple. Quand ils se rendent coupables de quelque crime, on s'en 
 empare et on les punit ; mais on ne doit pas porter d'accusation contre les lettr^s 
 pour tirer d'eux de grosses indemnity Une telle conduite excite la baine. 
 
 La huiti^me ann^e du r^gne de Tong-tche, un missionnaire, M. Rigaud, fut tu6 
 dans le Sze-chuen ; ce fut una alliance manquee entre deux families qui causa ce 
 meurtre. Tchong Tiang-tume et Ly Tchoun-tang jugferent cette affaire. ' Ils firent 
 arr^ter le meurta-ier de M. Rigaud, nomm^ Ho-tsai, et le meurtrier d'un Chretien 
 nomm^ Lion-fou, tous deux appartenant k la basse elasse. L'un fut condamn^ k 
 avoir la tdte tranch^e, I'autre a la pendaison. En outre ces Chretiens tudrent des 
 gens du peuple, chaque ann^e il y avait des luttes entre cr^anciers et d^biteurs, des 
 viols et des incendies. 
 
 Les instigateurs de tout cela etaient Wang Shue-ting, Tchang Tien-shin, et 
 autres. On voulut les saisir et les punir, mais ils ne se rendirent pas aux injonctions 
 de I'autorit^. De plus, encore les Chretiens sous la conduite d'un pr^tre nommi§ 
 Tan Fou-tchuen tudrent Tchao Yung-lin et 200 autres personnes. On demande de 
 livrer ce missionnaire, mais M. l'Abb6 Mihi^res vint dire qu'il ^tait parti pour 
 I'Europe, et qu'il n'y avait aucun moyen d'arranger cette affaire. De 1^ une grande 
 colore chez les habitants du Sze-chuen. 
 
 Article 5. Les passeports delivres aux missionnaires Fran9ais qui pen^trent 
 dans I'int^rieur devront clairement porter mention de la province et de la prefecture 
 oil ils comptent se rendre. Les noms et qualit^s du porteur, et ces conditions qii'il 
 ne pourra se rendre clandestinement dans une autre province et que le passeport est 
 personnel, seront egalement consignees dans cet instrument. Le missionnaire ne 
 devra pas passer en contrebaude aux barri^res de douane et d'octroi des marchan- 
 dises sujettes aux droits. A son arriv^e a destination autre que celle designee dans 
 le passeport, ou que cette pi^ce a ^t^ transmise a un Chretien Chinois dans le but de 
 se faire passer pour un missionnaire, le dit passeport sera annuM. D'un autre cot6, 
 s'il demeure acquis que le porteur s'en est rendu possesseur a prix d'argent ou qu'il 
 ait comniis quelqu'autre contravention grave, I'individu qui aura ainsi faussement 
 assume la qualite de missionnaire sera puni et le missionnaire titulaire sera renvoy^ 
 dans son pays. Afin que le contrMe puisse partout s'exercer, le nom du mission- 
 naire sera consigne dans le passeport en 4criture Chinoise, qui fera foi. Le passeport 
 devra 6tre annuls dans le cas ou le titulaire serait rentre dans sa patrie, serait 
 d^cede, ou serait abandonne I'oeuvre des missions. II ne sera pas delivr6 de passe- 
 ports dans les provinces oii il y aurait des rebelles, ni mime et dor^navant pour 
 celles ou op^rerait I'arm^e imp^riale, ceci dans le but ivident d'assurer loyalement le 
 sauvegarde des missionnaires. 
 
 A I'appui du projet ci-dessus le Yamin rappellera une affaire de missions qui 
 se pr^senta dans le Kouei-cheou, ou un certain Tchao op6rait comme missionnaire, 
 bien que son nom ne figurat pas sur le registre des passeports. A ce sujet le 
 Yamin regut une lettre de M. I'lnterpr^te Deveria dans laquelle ce dernier exposait 
 que, d'apres un ancien registre Fran9ais le missionnaire assassine Tchao avait 
 re^u en date du 2me jour du 6me mois de la 4me annee de Tong-tche un 
 passeport dans lequel il etait denomine Joue-lo-sse, que ce nom de Tchao 6tait 
 errone, que la victime etait bien reellement le nomm6 Joue-lo-sse, que d'un autre 
 cote le m6n>e .Jou^-lo-sse se trouvait inscrit sous le No. 325 comme se rendant au 
 Sze-chuen, puis au Kouei-cheou, Cependant le Yam^n put se convaincre que ni 
 ce nom de Tchao ni celui de Jou6-lo-sse nefiguraient sur son registre de passeports. 
 II y avait done double erreur dans le nom du missionnaire et dans celui de sa 
 residence. Comment alors ^tablir une identity et assurer a la partie int4ress6 une 
 protection efficace ? 
 
 11 y eut aussi une affaire de meurtre commis par le missionnaire Splingaert sur 
 la personne d'un Russe. Ce Splingaert fut d'abord missionnaire, puis entra comme 
 constable a la Legation de Prusse, II n'en garda pas moins par devers lui son 
 passeport, de sorte que s'il s'en est dessaisi en faveur d'une autre personne ou 
 I'a perdu, non seulement I'abus qui consiste k se faire passer pour missionnaire a pu 
 se pH'oduire mais il eut pu surgir de graves inconv^nients pour la chose publique, 
 au cas ou le dit passeport fut tomb6 entre les mains de rebelles. .D'un autre cot6 
 ladignitedes missionnaires nous semble devoir &tre gravement atteinte par de telles 
 irregularites. 
 
 Article ^. Le but des missionaaires 6tant exhorter les hommes k la vertu, il 
 importe qu'avant d'admettre un individu dans la religion on examine s'il a subi 
 quelque condamnation ou s'il a commis quelque crime. Si I'enqu^te est en sa faveur. 
 
9 
 
 il peut se faire Chretien ; dans le cas contraire, cela ne doit pa-s \m hire permfs. II 
 faut en outre agir comme le font les ministres de notre religion, qui avertissent les 
 surveillants des dix families, et font inscrire le nom de la personne sur le reffistre k 
 
 ce destine. De m^me les —'—'- i • . .- ■. » , 
 
 note du jour^ du mois, et 
 
 rindividu et s'informeront s'ii u a jamais sudi aeconaamnation ou su n'a pas change 
 de nom. En agissant ainsi il ne pourra y avoir aucune confusion. Si Ton envoyait 
 un Chretien pour faire une mission et qu'il mourut en voyage, declaration doit 6tre 
 fait au fonctionnaire competent. Si, apr^g s'gtre convertie, une personne commet 
 quelque mauvaise action, on doit la renvoyer et ne plus la regarder comme faisant 
 partie de la religion. Chaque mois ou au moins chaque trimestre les autorit^S 
 devront 6tre averties du nombre des conversions. Les autorites devront aussi agir 
 comme elles le font pour nos temples, c'est-^-dire, aller tons les mois ou au moins 
 tous les trimestres visiter les missions. Cette mesure ne portera aucune atteinte a la 
 religion et assurera au contraire la tranquillity. 
 
 Le 9me annee du r^gne de Tong-tche, le Gouvernement du Kouei-cheou 
 avertit le Yam^n qu'a Kouei-ting-shien des gens qui n'^taient autres auparavant 
 que des voleurs faisaient partie d'une milice dont les Chretiens Yen Yu-shing et 
 Lia Tchang-shine etaient les chefs. Passant pour Chretiens, ces hommes 6taient bien 
 consideres ; cependant ils commirent toutes sortes de d^sordres, tu^rent Wang-tiang, 
 Pao, et Tsouo-ing-ho, blesserent grievement trois autres personnes, et enleverent des 
 maisons non seulement I'argent, mais encore tous les objets qu'elles renfermaient 
 et jusqu'au betail. La 8me annee du r^gne de Tong-tche, le Gouverneur de 
 Kouei-cheou avertit encore notre Yam^n qu'^ Tsoun-i-shien une petition avait 6t& 
 adress6e pour declarer que des rebelles dont les chefs 6taient Soung Yu-chan, Tang 
 Cheun-hien, Tang Yeu-chouy, Tien Yuen-yuen, avaient embrasse la religion Catho- 
 lique, et que cependant ils continuaient aTinterieur et au dehors de la ville a exercer 
 des d^sordres et des vexations sans nom et sans nombre. Dans le meme endroit 
 aussi des gens nomm^s Yang Shi-pouo, Lion Kai-wen, Tchang Shioo-ming, Hovio 
 Wen-tieou, Tchao Wen-gan avaient embrass^ la religion Catholique, et Etaient m§me 
 oecup^s dans rinterieur de la mission. Cependant, au dehors, ils commettaient 
 toutes sortes d'exactions contre les orphelins et intimidaient les pauvres d'esprit. Ils 
 allaient a chaque instant au YamSn et se chai^eaient de regler les proems. Dans 
 une affaire entre un Chretien et un homme du peuple, si le mandarin donnait raison 
 si ce dernier, ils reunissaient les Chretiens, envahissaient le Yam^n, et forcaient 
 I'autorite a revenir sur le jugement. Si, malgr^ eela, le mandarin ne voulait pas 
 leur rendre le Chretien, ils revenaient avec une carte d'un missionnaire et 
 r^elaraaient de sa part la liberte de leur ami. 
 
 En outre ils commettaient toutes sortes d'attentats sur les personnes et les 
 propri^t^s : si on leur resistait, ils frappaient et m6me ne craignaient pas de tuer, et 
 se rendaient coupables de bien d'autres crimes encore. 
 
 Article 7. Les missionnaires doivent observer les coutumes Chinoises, et ne 
 s'en 6carter en rien ; ils ne doivent pas, par exemple, faire usage de sceaux r^serv^s 
 aux fonctionnaires seals. II ne leur est pas.permis d'envoyer des dep^ches a un 
 Yam^n, de quelque importance qu'il soit. Si cependant pour une affaire urgente il 
 ^tait absolument n^cessaire d'^crire, ils le pourraient, mais en observant bien de ne 
 pas parler des choses en dehors, et en se servant, comme les personnes appartenant 
 k la classe des lettres, du Sing-tieh (petition). Quand les missionnaires rendent visite 
 k un grand mandarin, ils doivent observer les m^mes c^r^monies que celles exig^es 
 des lettres ; s'ils visitent un mandarin d'un rang inferieur, ils doivent aussi se 
 eonformer aux c^r^monies d'usage. 11 ne faut pas qu'ils aillent sans c^r^monie 
 dans les Yam^ns, et y porter le dlsordre et la confusion dans les affaires. 
 
 La 6me ann^e du rdgne de Tong-tche, le Gouverneur du Sze-chuen nous ecrivit 
 que levgque Fran^ais, Monseigneur Pinchon, avait dans une lettre qu'il envoyait 
 aux autoritds, fait usage d'un sceau officiel fabriqu^ par lui-mfeme. 
 
 La 7me annee du r^gne de Tong-tche, Monseigneur Faurie, ev^que du Kouei- 
 cheou, remit k I'officier charge de faire parvenir les lettres du Gouvernement, une 
 d6p§che a I'adresse du Yam§n, pour lui demander d'accorder des marques de distinc- 
 tion k un Taoutae nomm^ Touo Wen, et a d'autres personnes encore. 
 
 Dans le Chan-tung un missionnaire se fit passer pour Sinn-fou (Gouverneur de 
 
 Province). 
 
 Dans le Sze-chuen et le Kouei-cheou des missionnaires se sent permis de 
 demander la revocation de Mandarins qui n'avaient pas r^gl^s leurs affaires a 
 leur satisfaction. Ainsi ce n'est pas seulement I'autorite de simples fonction- 
 
 C 2 
 
10 
 
 naires qu'ils s'attribuent, ils pr^tendent encore a un pouvoir que le Souverain seul 
 poss^de. Comment apr^s de pareils actes I'indignation gen^rale ne serait-elle pas 
 soulevee ? 
 
 Article 8. Les raissionnaires ne devront pas r^clamer comme appartenant a 
 I'Eglise les biens qu'il leur plaira de d(5signer ; de cette maniere aucune difficult^ ne 
 s'elevera. Si les raissionnaires veulent acheter un terrain pour y batir une ^glise, 
 ou louer une maison pour y ^tablir leur residence, ils devront, avant de conclure le 
 marche, aller avec le veritable proprietaire faire une declaration a I'autorit^ locale, 
 qui examinera si le Tung Chouy ne pr^sente aucun empecheraent. Si I'autorit^ juge 
 qu'il n'y a aucun inconvenient pour le Tung Chouy, il faudra alors demander le 
 consentement des habitants de I'endroit. Ces deux formalit^s remplies, on devra en 
 outre dans le texte du contrat suivre le r^glement paru la 4me ann^e du regne de 
 Tong-tche, c'est-a-dire, declarer que le terrain appartient en toute propri6t6 aux 
 Chretiens Chinois. II ne sera pas permis dans I'achat de propriet^s d'en op6rer le 
 transfert en faisant usage d'un autre nom que celui du veritable acquereur ; il sera 
 d^fendu aussi d'op^rer ce transfert d'une maniere contraire a la loi, en suivant les 
 conseils de malhonn&tes gens. 
 
 Les raissionnaires habitant continuellement la Chine doivent s'efForcer d'inspirer 
 de la conBance, de raani^re a ne pas exciter le m^contenteraent et I'aversion du peuple, 
 mais au contraire a vivre dans de bons termes avec lui sans exciter jamais les 
 soupgons. En ce moment il y a presque toujours disaccord entre les deux parties, 
 et c'est la conduite des Chretiens qui en est cause. Ainsi pour ce qui est des biens 
 de I'Eglise ces dernieres annees, il y a eu des reclamations dans toutes les provinces, 
 et les raissionnaires exigent la restitution sans s'inqui^ter si cela pent blesser la 
 susceptibilite du peuple ou porter atteinte a ses int^rfets. En outre ce sont des 
 belles maisons appartenant a des lettr6s qu'ils revendiquent, et ils en expulsent le 
 proprietaire dans le plus bref d^lai. Mais ce qu'il y a de plus fort et qui blesse la 
 (lignite du peuple, c'est que souvent ils reclaraent comme leur propriete des yamSns, 
 des lieux d'assembl^e, des temples tenus en grand respect par les lettr^s et les 
 habitants du voisinage. 
 
 Certainement dans chaque province se trouvent des maisons qui appartenaient 
 jadis a I'Eglise : mais on doit tenir compte du norabre d'annees qui se sont ^coul^es 
 depuis et songer que des Chretiens ont vendu ces raaisons et qu'elles sont peut-^tre 
 passees entre les raains de plusieurs proprietaires. II faut aussi consid^rer que la 
 maison a pu fetre vendue vieille et delabree, et que I'acquereur a peut-6tre fait de 
 grosses depenses pour la reparer ou ra6me en a construit une nouvelle. Les 
 raissionnaires ne considerent rien de tout cela : ils exigent la restitution et n'offrent 
 pas rafeme la moindre indemnite. Quelquefois mferae ils demandent a ce qu'on fasse 
 des reparations, ou sinon une certaine sorame d'argent. Une telle conduite excite 
 I'indignation du peuple, qui voit les raissionnaires d'un mauvais ceil : partant il ne 
 pent exister d'amitie. 
 
 Les faits qui sont consignes dans ce Memorandura ont ete choisis comme 
 exemples parrai bien d'autres pour demontrer ce qu'il y a d'irregulier dans les actes 
 des raissionnaires et prouver I'impossibilite pour les Chretiens et non-Chretiens de 
 vivre en bonne harmonic. II est done urgent de chercher a rem^dier au raal ; les 
 uns et les autres y trouveront leur arantage, et Ton ^vitera que cette seule questio > 
 des missions devienne fatale aux grands inter&ts de la paix entre la Chine et 
 rOccident. Nous renonfons a enumerer les norabreuses affaires qui surgissent dans 
 les provinces. 11 importe de separer I'ivraie du bon grain, s^vir contre les mechants 
 dans I'interfit des bons. Pour ce qui est du coramerce, par exemple, on punit sevdre- 
 ment les negociants coupables de deiits afin de sauvegarder I'honneur du commerce 
 en general. Du moment ovi les raissionnaires adraettent tout le monde sans prendre 
 soin de distinguer entre les bons et les mauvais, ces derniers affluent dans la 
 communaute Chretienne, et s'appuyent sur les raissionnaires pour raolester les gens 
 de bien et meprisent I'autorite des raagistrats. Dans ces conditions le ressentiment 
 de la multitude devient profonde. Si le peuple Chinois tout entier en arrive, comme 
 les gens de Tien-tsin, a d6tester les Strangers, I'autorite supreme elle-m6me ne pourra 
 plus s'interposer efficaceraent. Tels sont les dangers que la situation presente 
 implique. 
 
 Les regleraents que nous proposons aujourd'hui sont la dernidre expression de 
 notre ferrae volonte de proteger les raissionnaires et ne comportent rien de malveil^ 
 lent pour eux. S'ils s'efforcent sincerement de s'y conformer, la bonne harmonic 
 pourra etre maintenue ; si, d'un autre cote, les raissionnaires considerent ces memes 
 eglements comme attentatoires a leur independance ou contraires a leur rite, ils 
 
11 
 
 peuvent renoncer k pr^cher leur religion en Chine. Le Gouvernenieut Chinois 
 traite des sujets Chretiens et non-Chr6tiens sur un pied d'egalit^ parfaite ; e'est la 
 preuye ^vidente qu'il n'est pas contraire k I'oeuvre des missions. En revanche les 
 missionnaires se laissant duper par les Chretiens ne restent pas fiddles a leurs 
 devoirs. De cet ^tat de choses doivent rdsulter une haine des masses centre laquelle 
 il sera bien difficile de lutter, et un ^branlement g-6n^ral du bon ordre qui 
 rendra toute protection impossible. Mieux vaut d^s k present dire franchement la 
 v6rit6. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Article 1. THE Christians when they found an orphanage give no notice to 
 the authorities, and appear to act with mystery : hence the suspicions and hatred 
 of the people. In ceasing to receive children, the evil rumours which are now in 
 circulation would at the same time disappear. If, however, there is a wish to 
 continue this work, only the children of necessitous Christians must be received, 
 and then the authorities ought to be informed, who would note the day on which 
 the child entered, the name of its parents, and the day on which it left. It would 
 also be necessary that power should be given to strangers to adopt these children, 
 and then a good result would be arrived at. Lastly, when it is a question of non- 
 Christian children, the high officials ought to give orders to the local authorities, 
 who should select proper agents who could take all the measures which appeared 
 suitable to them. 
 
 In China the laws which regulate orphanages are : that on the entrance and on 
 the departure of the children note is made of the person who leaves them, or of the 
 person who adopts them, of the declaration made to the authorities, and of the 
 permission given to the parents to visit their children. When they have become 
 bigger, they maybe adopted by some one having no children, or taken back by 
 the parents themselves, and then, no matter -in what religion they have been brought 
 up, they return to the religion of their fathers. The child ought in everything also 
 to be treated well. In exercising this work of charitj'-, it becomes a most worthy 
 work. 
 
 We have heard it said that in every country matters are conducted in this 
 respect very nearly as in China. How does it happen that once arrived in our 
 country foreigners no longer follow these customs ? They take no note of the 
 family to which the child belongs, and they do not give notice to the authorities. 
 Once the child has entered the house other persons are not allowed to adopt it, nor 
 are the parents permitted to take it back again, nor even to visit it. All this 
 nourishes suspicions and excites the hatred of the people, and by degrees a case 
 like that of Tien-tsin is arrived at. Although we have denied in a report all those 
 rumours of the tearing out of eyes and hearts, the people, however, still preserve 
 doubts on the subject, and even if we succeed in closing their lips we cannot drive 
 away these doubts from their minds. It is this kind of uneasiness which gives rise 
 to terrible events. It would be a good thing to abolish the foreign orphanages, and 
 to transport them to Europe, where they could practise their charity at their ease: it 
 would then belong to the Chinese to come to the aid of these children. Besides, in 
 every province we have numerous orphanages, and yet the foreigners wish to lend 
 us at any price an assistance of which we have not the slightest need. It is 
 certainly with good intentions they thus act ; but it is not the less true that their 
 conduct produces suspicion and excites anger. It would be far preferable if each 
 one exercised his charity in his own country, and then no lamentable event could 
 
 arise. 
 
 Article 2. Women ought no longer to enter the churches, nor should Sisters of 
 Charity live in China to teach religion. This measure will only render the Christians 
 more respectable, and will result in silencing evil rumours. 
 
 --^ In China a good reputation and modesty are most important matters : men and 
 women are not even allowed to shake hands, nor to live together : there ought to be a 
 kind of line of separation which cannot be overstepped. After the Treaty full liberty 
 was given to the Christians, and then men and women went together to church : 
 hence rumours among the public. There are some places even where men and 
 women are together not only at church, but also in the interior of the house. The 
 publiclooking at this in a light manner harbours suspicions, and thinks that things 
 contrary to propriety take place. .,.._,. . - . .u ^ j 
 
 Article 3. The missionaries residing in China must conform to the laws and 
 
12 
 
 customs of China. They are not permitted to place themselves in a kind of excep- 
 tional independence, to show themselves recalcitrant to the authority of the 
 Government and of the officials, to attribute to themselves powers which do not 
 belong to them, to injure the reputation of men, to oppress the people, to asperse 
 the doctrine of Confucius, by which they give ground for the suspicions, the resent- 
 ments and the indignation of the masses. The missionaries must submit themselves, 
 like everybody, to the authority of the local officials ; and the Christian Chinese 
 must, in every case, be treated according to the common law : with the exception of 
 the expenses of theatrical solemnities and of the worship of local protecting 
 divinities from which they are dispensed from contributing to, the Christians 
 cannot escape the requisitions and forced labour, and are constrained to accept, like 
 everybody else, the charges imposed by the local administration. With stronger 
 reason tney cannot refuse to pay, in their integrity, the land taxes . and the 
 rents, nor can the missionaries advise them and support them in infringing 
 the common law. Cases for litigation between Christians and non-Christians are 
 under the equitable jurisdiction of the authorities, and cannot be left to the 
 patronage of the missionaries. The latter cannot keep away from the Courts, 
 Christians, prosecutors or defendants, which, in a trial, leads to delays and 
 prejudices the parties interested. In the case in which missionaries allow them- 
 selves to be mixed up in affairs beyond their province, the local authorities ought 
 to send their verbal or written communications to the high provincial functionaries, 
 who will refer them in their turn to the Tsung-li Yam§n, in order that a decision 
 may be eventually taken as to the repatriation of these same missionaries. In the 
 case where Christians in suits respecting matrimonial alliances or property in land 
 plume themselves upon their position of Christians to invoke the intervention of the 
 missionaries, they will be severely punished by the authorities. 
 
 China honours the religion of Confucius ; that of Boudha and of Tao, as well as 
 the doctrine of Lamas, is also professed there. Therefore it is contrary to usage that 
 the latter, although they may not be Chinese, should ignore the decisions of the Chinese 
 authorities, by approving or blaming them. We hear it said that the missionaries in 
 foreign countries are subject to the legislation of the country in which they live, and 
 that they are forbidden to make themselves independent, to contravene the law, 
 to usurp authority, to attack the character of people, or to prejudice them, or to 
 arouse the suspicion and the resentment of the people, Similarly the missionaries, 
 who teach their religion in China, ought to submit themselves to the authority of 
 the magistrates of this country; nevertheless they are vauntingly independent and 
 do not recognize the authority of the officials. Do they not thus place themselves 
 without the pale of the law ? The Christians in China remain Chinese subjects, and 
 are only the more constrained to remain faithful to their duties. In no case can a 
 difference be established between them and the rest of the nation. The Christians 
 in the towns and in the country ought to live in good harmony with their fellow- 
 countrymen. Yet, in matters affecting the public when popular subscriptions are 
 opened or forced labour required, they put forward their position as Christians to 
 escape these burdens. They themselves create an exception (in their favour). How 
 avoid that the rest of the nation accept this exception (against them) ? Yet more, they 
 refuse the taxes and forced labour, they intimidate the officials, they oppress those who 
 do not belong to their religion. The foreign missionaries do not fully under- 
 stand the situation : not only do they give an asylum to Christians who are guilty 
 of crimes and refuse to deliver them up to justice, but they also consent to 
 protect unjustly those who have only become converts because they have committed 
 some crime. In the provinces the missionaries make themselves the advocates 
 before the local authorities of the Christians who have suits. Witness that 
 Christian woman of Sze-chuen who exacted from her tenants payments of a nature 
 which were not due to her, and ultimately committed a murder. A French bishop 
 took upon himself to address a despatch to the authorities in order to plead for this 
 woman and procured her acquittal. This deed aroused animosities among the 
 people of Sze-chuen, which have lasted to this day. In the Kwei-chow, Christians 
 who go to law style themselves Christians "in the charge sheet" (" acte d'accusa- 
 tion ") with the sole view of gaining their cause. This is a well-known abuse. It 
 happens also that two families being united by matrimonial ties, one is converted to 
 Christianity, then compels the other who is not converted to break off the alliance. 
 Among people of the same blood one has seen fathers and elder brothers, after 
 having been converted, lay an accusation for non-fulfilment of family duties against 
 their children and younger brothers, for the sole reason that these latter had 
 
13 
 
 refused to be converted. These a<!;ts are encouraged by the missionaries. Are not 
 such practices of a nature to excite to the highest degree the popular indignation ? 
 
 Article 4. Chinese and foreigners living together ought to be governed by 
 the same laws. For example, if a man kills another, he ought to be punished, if a 
 Chinaman, according to the Chinese law ; if he is a foreigner, according to the law of 
 his country. In thus acting, order will reign ; it matters little the manner in which 
 the Chinese or the foreigners treat the case : a punishment is all that is necessary. 
 But that punishment once inflicted, they must not come and claim indemnities, and 
 above all they must not seek the soi-disant abettor of the crime to exact from him a 
 certain sum. It belongs to the local authorities to adjudicate on the differences 
 which may arise between the Christians and the people. If it is a Pagan who has 
 committed wrongs against a Christian, 'he ought to be punished more or less 
 severely, according to the gravity of the fault; similarly if it is a question of a 
 Chris;;ian accused by a Pagan. The official ought to adjudicate with the most 
 perfect justice, and the greatest impartiality. 
 
 If a Christian conducts himself altogether contrary to the laws, the local 
 authority takes evidence; and if some one accuses this Christian, the latter is 
 seized, and judged. But the missionaries must not then come forward to defend 
 him, and to exculpate him. If the case arises of a missionary preventing a 
 Christian giving himself up to the commands of the authority, the Christian alone 
 ought not to be punished, but also the missionary, or at least he ought to be sent 
 back to his own country. 
 
 In the sixth year of the reign of Tung Chih a missionary, M. Mabileau, was 
 killed in the Sze-chuen. The murderer, named Jan Lao-won, was arrested, and 
 condemned to death. But besides that, M. Mihidres accused a man who formed 
 part of the class of literates ("lettres)" of having been the instigator of that murder, 
 in order to exact from him an indemnity of 80,000 taels. 
 
 The individuals who commit disorders ordinarily belong to the lowest class of 
 the people. When they are guilty of some crime, they are seized and punished ; 
 but accusations ought not to be brought against the literates (" lettres"), to exact 
 from them large indemnities. Such conduct excites hatred. 
 
 In the eighth year of the reign of Tung Chih, a missionary, M. Rigaud, was 
 killed in the Sze-chuen ; the cause of the murder was an alliance between two 
 families, which fell through. Tchung Tiang-tume and Ly Tchoun-tang judged 
 this case. They caused the murderer of M. Rigaud to be arrested, a man named 
 Ho-tsai, and the murderer of a Christian named Lion-fou, both belonging to the 
 lowest class. One was condemned to have his head cut off, the other to be hanged. 
 The Christians further killed some of the people; every year there were conflicts 
 between creditors and debtors, rapes and fires. 
 
 The instigators of all this were Wang Shue-ting, Tchang Tien-shin, and others. 
 It was desired to seize and punish them, but they did not surrender themselves to 
 the commands of the authority. Further, the Christians again, under the leadership 
 of a priest named Tan Fou-tchuen, killed Tchao Yung-lin, and 200 other persons. 
 The surrender of this missionary was demanded ; but the Abb^ MihiSres said that 
 he had left for Europe, and that there was no means of arranging this case. Hence 
 great anger among the inhabitants of Sze-chuen. 
 
 Article 5. The passports given to the French missionaries who penetrate 
 into the interior ought clearly to bear mention of the province and of the prefecture 
 where they intend to repair. The names and titles of the bearer, and these 
 conditions, that he will not be able clandestinely to betake himself to another 
 province and that the passport is personal, will be equally comprised in this 
 document. The missionary ought not to pass through the Custom-house and 
 toll-bar contraband articles of merchandize which are liable to duty. On his arrival 
 at a destination other than that designated in the passport, or if this document has 
 been handed over to a Christian Chinaman with the object of making him pass himself 
 off as a missionary, the said passport shall be cancelled. On the other hand, if it be 
 ascertained that the bearer has gained possession of it by pecuniary payment, or 
 that he has committed some other serious breach of the law, the individual who 
 shall have thus falsely assumed the position of a missionary shall be punished, and 
 the real missionary shall be sent back to his own country. In order that the 
 control may be exercised everywhere, the name of the missionary shall be inserted 
 in the passport, in Chinese characters, which will be taken as proof. The passport 
 shall be cancelled in cases where the titulary should have gone back to his own 
 country, should have died, or should have abandoned missionary work. Passports 
 
14 
 
 will not be granted in the provinces where there are rebels, nor even hereafter for 
 those where the Imperial army is operating, — with the evident object of securing 
 loyally the safeguard of the missionaries. 
 
 In support of the above scheme the Yamfen will recall a missionary case which 
 occurred in the Kwei-chow, where a certain Tchao acted as missionary, albeit his 
 name had no place in the Passport Register. The YamSn received a letter on this 
 subject from Mr. Interpreter Dev6ria, in which the latter showed how, according to 
 an old French register, the murdered missionary Tchao had received a passport, 
 dated the 2nd day of the 6th month of the 4th year of Tong-che, in which he 
 was called Jou^-lo-sse ; that this name of Tchao was erroneous; that the victim 
 was really the said Joue-lo-sse ; that, on the other hand, the same Joue-lo-sse was 
 inserted under No. 325 as going to Sze-chuen and thence to Kwei-chow. However, 
 the Yamin was able to convince itself that neither this name of Tchao nor that 
 of Jou^-lo-sse figured on its passport register. There was, therefore, a double 
 mistake in the name of the missionary and in that of his residence. How, then, 
 could one establish an identity and secure to the party interested eflScacious 
 protection ? 
 
 There was also an affair of murder committed by the missionary Splingaert on 
 the person of a Russian. This Splingaert was first of all a missionary, then entered 
 the Prussian Legation as constable. He none the less retained his passport, so 
 that he handed it over to some one else, or lost it, so that not only an abuse, in 
 passing as a missionary occurred, but grave inconveniences to public affairs might 
 have arisen in case the said passport had fallen into the hands of the rebels. On 
 the other hand, the dignity of missionaries seems to us to be seriously injured by 
 such irregularities. 
 
 Article 6. The aim of the missionaries being to exhort men to virtue, it 
 is befitting that before admitting an individual to the privileges of religion, he 
 should be examined as to whether he has undergone any sentence or committed any 
 crime. If the examination be in his favour he may become a Christian ; if the 
 contrary, he should not be allowed to become ojie. One ought, moreover, to act as 
 the ministers of our religion do, who give notice to the inspectors of the ten families, 
 and cause the name of the person to be entered in the register with this purpose. 
 In the same way the missionaries ought to give notice to the authorities, who will 
 take note of the day of the month and of the year of admittance, of the country, 
 and of the station in life of the individual, and will ascertain if he has ever under- 
 gone any sentence, or if he has ever changed his name. By acting thus all confu- 
 sion will be avoided. If a Christian should be sent on a mission, and he should die 
 on the way, notice should be given to the proper authority. If, after being con- 
 verted, a person commits some crime, he should be dismissed, and no longer 
 regarded as belonging to the religion. Every month, or at least every three 
 months, the authorities ought to be informed of the number of conversions. The 
 authorities, also, should act as they do in regard to our temples, that is to 
 say, they should go every month, or at least every three months, to inspect the 
 missions. This course will do no harm to religion, but, on the contrary, will insure 
 tranquillity. 
 
 In the ninth year of the reign of Tung Chih the Government of the Kwei- 
 chow gave notice to the Yamen that at Kwei-ting-shien some people, who were 
 formerly nothing better than thieves, were forming a part of a militia of which the 
 Ciiristians, Yen Yu-shing and Lia Tchang-shine, were the leaders. Passing them- 
 selves off as Christians these men were highly thought of; however, they committed 
 all sorts of disturbances, killed Wang Tiang-pao and Tsouo-ing-ho, seriously 
 wounded three other persons, and carried off from the houses not only money, but 
 also all the objects which they contained, even down to the very cattle. In the 
 eighth year of the reign of Tung Chih the Governor of Kwei-chow again warned 
 our Yam6n that at Tsoun-i-shien a petition had been addressed, with the object of 
 declaring that some rebels, of whom the leaders were Soung Yu-chan, Tang Cheun- 
 hien, T'ang Yen-chouy, Tien Yuen-yuen, had embraced the Catholic religion, and 
 that they still continued within and without the town to stir up indescribable and 
 countless disturbances and troubles. In the same place, also, some people named 
 Yang Shi-pouo, Liou Kai-wen, Tchang Shioo-ming, Houo Wen-tieou, Tchao Wen-gan 
 had embraced the Catholic rehgion, and were even employed in the interior of the 
 mission. However, outside, they practised all sorts of exactions upon the orphans, 
 and intimidated those who were poor in spirit. They went perpetually to the 
 YamSn, and undertook to regulate the trials. In an affair between a Christian 
 
15 
 
 ^u^ ^countryman, if the mandarin administered justice to the latter, they collected 
 the Christians, invaded the yam^n, and forced the authorities to reverse the 
 sentenc^. If, in spite of that, the mandarin would not give the Christian up to 
 them, they returned with the card of a missionary, and claimed on his behalf the 
 liberty of their friend. 
 
 Besides, they committed all sorts of attempts upon persons and properties • if 
 resistance was offered them, they struck blows and did not even fear to kill, and 
 were guilty besides of many other crimes. 
 
 4£ii£i^ '^^® missionaries ought to observe Chinese customs, and to deviate 
 from them in no respect ; for instance, they ought not to make use of seals, the use 
 of which IS reserved for functionaries alone. It is not allowed them to send 
 despatches to a Yam^n, whatever may be their importance. If, however, for an 
 urgent matter it should be absolutely necessary to write, they may do it ; but 
 taking good care not to speak of matters beyond the subject, and making use, 
 like people belonging to the class of literates, of the Sing-tieh (petition). When the 
 missionaries visit a great mandarin, they must observe the same ceremonies as 
 those exacted from the literates ; if they visit a mandarin of inferior rank, they 
 must also conform to the customary ceremonies. They must not unceremoniously 
 go into the yam6ns and bring disorder and confusion into the affair. 
 
 In the sixth year of the reign of Tung Chih, the Governor of the Sze-chuen 
 wrote to us that the French Bishop, Monseigneur Pinchon, had, in a letter which he 
 sent to the authorities, made use of an official seal manufactured by himself 
 
 In the seventh year of the reign of Tung-Chih, Monseigneur Faurie, Bishop of the 
 Kwei-chow, handed to the officer charged with the remission of the letters of the 
 Government, a despatch to the address of the YamSn to ask that marks of 
 distinction should be accorded to a Taoutae called Touo Wen, and to other persons 
 besides. 
 
 In the Chan-tung a missionary passed himself off as Sinn-fou (Provincial 
 Governor). 
 
 In Sze-chuen and Kwei-chow missionaries took upon themselves to demand 
 the recall of mandarins who had not arranged their affairs to their satisfaction. So 
 it is not only the authority of simple functionaries that they assume; they claim, 
 further, a power which the Sovereign alone possesses. After such acts how could 
 general indignation fail to be aroused ? 
 
 Artic le 8. Missionaries shall not be allowed to claim, as belonging to the 
 Church, "EKe property which it may please them to designate; in this way no 
 difficulty will arise. If the missionaries wish to buy a portion of land on which to 
 build a church or hire a house in which to take up their residence, they must, before 
 concluding the bargain, go with the real proprietor and make a declaration to 
 the local authority who will examine whether the Tung Chouy presents any obstacle. 
 If the official decides that no inconvenience arises for the Tung Chouy, it will 
 then be necessary to ask the consent of the inhabitants of the place. These two 
 formalities fulfilled, it will be necessary besides, in the text of the contract, 
 to follow the ruling published in the fourth year of the reign of Tong-tche, that is to 
 say, to declare that the land belongs with full rights to Chinese Christians. It will 
 not be allowed in the purchase of properties to make a transfer making use of 
 another name than that of the real purchaser ; it will also be forbidden to make 
 this transfer in a manner contrary to law, following the advice of dishonest people. 
 
 The missionaries residing constantly in China must strive to inspire con- 
 fidence, so as not to excite the discontent and aversion of the people ; but 
 on the contrary to live on good terms with them without ever exciting suspicion. 
 At this moment there is almost always discord between the two parties, and the 
 cause of it is the conduct of the Christians. So as regards the property of the 
 Church there have been claims during these last years in all the provinces, and the 
 missionaries exact the restitution, without troubling themselves as to whether it 
 wounds the susceptibility of the people or is injurious to their interests. Besides 
 there are fine houses belonging to the literates that they claim and expel the 
 proprietor from them at the shortest notice. But what is worst, and what wounds 
 the dignity of the people, is that they often claim as their property yam^ns, places of 
 assemibly, temples, held in high respect by the literates and the inhabitants of the 
 neighbourhood. 
 
 Certainly, in each province are houses which formerly belonged to the Church ; 
 but note must be taken of the number of years which have passed since, and it 
 must be remembered that Christians sold these houses, and that they have, perhaps, 
 [299] D 
 
16 
 
 passed through the hands of several proprietors. It must also be considered that 
 the house was, perhaps, old and dilapidated when sold, and that the purchaser has, 
 perhaps, incurred great expense in repairs or has even built a new one. The 
 missionaries take no account of all this, they exact the restitution, and do not even 
 offer the least indemnity. Sometimes they even ask for repairs to be made, or if 
 not, for a sum of money. Such conduct excites the indignation of the people, who 
 look with no favourable eye on the missionaries, Such being the case no friendship 
 can exist. 
 
 The facts which are stated in this Memorandum have been chosen as examples 
 among many others to demonstrate what is irregular in the acts of the missionaries, 
 and to prove the impossibility of Christians and non-Christians living harmoniously. 
 
 It is urgent, therefore, to seek a remedy for the evil ; both one and the other 
 will find it to their advantage, and it will obviate this sole question of the missions 
 becoming fatal to the great interests of peace between China and the West. 
 
 We do not attempt to enumerate the many matters which are agitating in the 
 provinces. The object is to separate the tares from the good grain, to punish 
 the wicked in the interest of the good. With respect to commerce, for instance, 
 merchants guilty of dishonesty are severely punished in order to protect the honour 
 of commerce in general. From the time that the missionaries admit every one, 
 without taking care to distinguish between the good and the bad, these last pour 
 into the Christian community and support themselves on the missionaries to molest 
 people of property and despise the authority of the magistrates. Under these 
 conditions the resentment of the multitude grows deep. If the entire Chinese 
 people should, like the inhabitants of Tien-tsin, come to detest foreigners, the 
 supreme authority itself could no longer be able to interpose eflScaciously. Such are 
 the dangers which the present situation implies. 
 
 The rules which we now propose are the last expression of our firm 
 will to protect the missionaries, and have nothing in their import hostile to 
 them. If they sincerely endeavour to conform themselves to them, good harmony 
 might be maintained ; if, on the other hand, the missionaries consider these same 
 rules in the light of attempts upon their independence, or contrary to their rites, 
 they may cease to preach their religion in China. The Chinese Government treats 
 its Christian and its non-Christian subjects on a footing of perfect equality ; that is 
 the evident proof that it is not opposed to the work of the missions. In return, the 
 missionaries, allowing themselves to be duped by the Christians, do not adhere faith- 
 fully to their duties. From this state of things a hatred of the masses must 
 result, which it will be very difficult to combat, and a general overthrow of order, 
 which will make all protection an impossibility. It would be far better from 
 henceforth to speak the truth frankly. 
 
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CHINA. No. 1 (:872). 
 
 COEEESPONDENOE 
 
 RESPECTING THE 
 
 CIRCULAR OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 FEBETJAEY 9, 18^1, 
 
 RELATING TO 
 
 MISSIONARIES. 
 
 Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. 
 
 1872. 
 
 LONDON: 
 PRfNTED BY HARRISON AND SONS. 
 
 [C.--468.] Price 5d. rp , 
 
LIST OF PAPERS. 
 
 No. 
 1. 
 2. 
 3. 
 4. 
 5. 
 6. 
 
 7. 
 
 9. 
 10. 
 11. 
 12. 
 13, 
 
 14, 
 
 15, 
 
 Earl Granville to Lord Lyons . . 
 Earl Granville to Lord Lyons . . 
 Lord Lyons to Earl Granville . . 
 Earl Granville to Mr. Pakenliam 
 Earl Granville to Lord Lyons . . 
 Mr. Wade to Earl Granville . . 
 
 Four Ir.closures. 
 Lord Lyons to Earl Granville .. 
 
 One Inclosure. 
 Mr. Petre to Earl Granville 
 Earl Granville to IMr. Wade . . 
 Sir A. Buchanan to Earl Granville 
 Mr. Petre to Earl Granville 
 Earl Granville to Mr. Wade 
 Mr. Wade to Earl Granville 
 
 One Inclosure. 
 Lord Lyons to Earl Granville . . 
 
 One Inclosure. 
 General Schenck to Earl Granville 
 One Inclosure. 
 
 
 Page 
 
 June 
 
 27, 1871 1 
 
 July 
 
 1, 1 
 
 July 
 
 6, 2 
 
 August 
 
 10, 2 
 
 August 
 
 11, 2 
 
 June 
 
 8, 2 
 
 August 
 
 18, 17 
 
 August 
 
 19, 18 
 
 August 
 
 21, 18 
 
 August 
 
 23, 20 
 
 August 
 
 26, 21 
 
 August 
 
 31, 21 
 
 June 
 
 22, 21 
 
 September 5, 22 
 
 November 29, 23 
 
Correspondence respecting the Circular of the Chinese Govern- 
 ment of February 9, 1871, relating to Missionaries, 
 
 No. 1. 
 Earl Granville to Lord Lyons. 
 
 (Extract.) _ Foreign Office, June 27, \ 871. 
 
 IN an interview which I yesterday had with the French Charge d'AfFaires^ he spoke 
 about the questions pending with the Chinese Government, and expressed a wish to know 
 what were the opinions of Her Majesty's Government with regard to the late Chinese 
 Circular respecting missionaries. 
 
 M. Gavard told me that, just as the United States had done, the French Government 
 took great exception to that Circular, and that the pretensions put forward in it were 
 inadmissible. He said that he feared from the conversation he had had with Mr. Hammond, 
 that we took a favourable view of it. 
 
 I told M. Gavard that I could not pretend to think that tlie conduct of the French 
 missionaries, stimulated by the highest and most laudable object, liad been prudent 
 in the interest of Christianity itself, and that the support which had been given by the 
 Representatives of France to their pretensions was dangerous to the future relations of 
 Europe with China; that I had always frankly communicated to the Government of 
 France all the information I received from China on this subject ; and that I certainly 
 trusted that the French Government would consider what was to be done with calmness 
 and moderation, and only after communication with other Governments ; that I should 
 be ready to go into the question of the Circular, as soon as he was able to tell me what 
 were the views of his Government. 
 
 M. Gavard assented to the principle which I had laid down; but he denied that tlio 
 facts justified the accusations. If they did so, the French Government would be the first 
 to condemn them. 
 
 I asked M. Gavard whether he knew what had passed between his Government and 
 the Chinese Envoy ; but he said that he had received no information on the point. 
 
 No. 2. 
 Earl Granville to Lord Lyons. 
 
 My Lord, Foreign Offlce, July \, 1871. 
 
 ON the 27th ultimo I informed your Excellency of what had passed at an interview 
 which I had on the previous day with the French Charge d'AfFaires on the questions 
 pending with the Chinese Government, and particularly with reference to the Chinese 
 Circular respecting missionaries. 
 
 M. Gavard called upon me again yesterday when the same subject was touched upon. 
 I observed to him that it was imnecessary to repeat what I had said on the previous 
 occasion as to the iniportahce which Her Majesty's Government attached to the French 
 Government restraining their missianaries from doing things which, on account of the 
 important objects which they had in view, appeared justifiable, but which seriously 
 [58] B 2 
 
endangered the relations of European Powers with China. But 1 said there were objectionable 
 details in the Circular, and that I should be ready to communicate to him the views of Her 
 Majesty's Government respecting the different Articles, if he received instructions from his 
 Government to communicate theirs. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) GRANVILLE. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Lord Lyons to Earl Granville. — {Received July 8.) 
 
 (Extract.) Versailles, July 6, 1871. 
 
 M. JULES FAVRE told me this afternoon that he thought the best mode of deahng 
 with the late Chinese Circular respecting missionaries would be, that a collective answer, 
 pointing out the particulars in which it was open to objection, should be made to it by 
 the Powers to whom it had been addressed. 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 Earl Granville to Mr. Pakenham,* 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, August 10, 1871. 
 
 I TRANSMIT to you herewith, for your information, and for communication to the 
 United States' Government, a draft of a despatch which Her Majesty's Government 
 propose to address to Mr. Wade respecting the Circular of the Chinese Government on 
 the subject of religious missions in China.f 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) GRANVILLE. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 Earl Granville to Lord Lyons. 
 
 (Extract.) Foreign Office, August 11, 1871. 
 
 WITH reference to your Excellency's despatch of the 6th of July, Her Majesty's 
 Government will always be ready to join the Government of France in any representations 
 which may conduce to the better regulation of the intercourse between China and the 
 Treaty Powers, but on the present occasion it appears to them that, from the different 
 nature of the Treaty provisions as affects the position of Protestant and Roman Catholic 
 missionai-ies in China, it would be better that each nation should return a separate reply to 
 the Circular; and they mean to address a despatch to Mr. Wade, of which the draft is 
 inclosed for communication to the French Governmentt 
 
 No. 6. 
 Mr. Wade to Earl Granville. — {Received August 1 5.) 
 
 (Extract.) Peking, June 8, 1871. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to forward your Lordship translations of a note or Memorandum 
 addressed by the T'sung-li Yamfen, in the first instance, to all foreign Representatives 
 resident in Peking, and subsequently to those of all foreign Treaty Powers, of eight 
 propositions appended to the Memorandum, and of a note addressed by the Minister 
 Wensiang to Sir R. Alcock shortly before he left Peking in 1869. 
 
 The last was doubtless submitted by Sir R. Alcock to Lord Clarendon ; but as I have 
 been unable to find a translation of it in the archives, and as the Minister, W^n Siang, has 
 again drawn attention to it, I have had a fresh translation of it made. 
 
 * Similar despatches were addressed to Mr. Petre and Sir A. Buchanan. -j- See No. 9. 
 
The note or Memorandum is, in the main, an expansion of the note to Sir R. 
 Alcock. 
 
 Admitting that, so far as trade is concerned, the Treaties work well enough, the 
 writer complains that their provisions fail entirely in the regulation of the missionary 
 question ; and that, through the unsatisfactory position of this, the whole question of 
 foreign relations is aifected. 
 
 The promiscuous enlistment of evil men as well as good by the Romish missionaries, 
 and their advocacy of the claims advanced by these ill-conditioned converts, has made 
 Romanism most unpopular ; and the people at large do not distinguish between Romanist 
 and Protestant, nor between foreigner and foreigner : not that Government has made no 
 effort to instruct the people, but China is a large Empire. 
 
 The growing feeling against propagandism had long rendered the Government anxious 
 before the Tien-tsin massacre ; and now, although mandarins have been exiled, criminals 
 executed, indemnities paid, Government still continues anxious, feeling that, if there are to 
 be more such outbreaks, recurrence 'to such measures will be in each instance more difficult. 
 How then about the future ? 
 
 First, as to the past. The high officers both of China and of foreign countries have 
 been sadly to blame for a hand-to-mouth policy in dealing with the missionary question. 
 Foreigners ask and China concedes what will make things smooth for the moment. 
 Foreigners also ask what is impracticable in order to place China in an impasse. The 
 Chinese Government would have the missionaries all brought under the same control, us 
 in other countries, amenable to the laws of the land, restrained from undue assumption of 
 status and authority, and from acts that produce scandal (see Article II). There should 
 be no mystery in what they do (this refers to the Orphelinats), and their conduct should in 
 all respects conform to the doctrine they teach. 
 
 At present they constitute in China an imperium in imperio; and it is to be appre- 
 hended that their followers, seeing how the Tien-tsin massacre has been punished, will 
 presume more than heretofore, and that of this will come an uprising of the people 
 beyond the power of Government to control. The responsibility of foreign Governments 
 will be great if they do not join China in devising precautionary measures. 
 
 This is the sum of the note. Appended to it is a Memorandum containing eight 
 Articles, in which are set-forth various griefs, each Article being supplemented by a note 
 pui"porting to supply evidence in support of the charge preferred. 
 
 Article' 1 recommends the entire suppression of the foreign Orphelinats ; if this be 
 impossible, the exclusion of all but Christian children, in any case registration of the 
 children, and free admission of their friends. The present secrecy of proceedings in the 
 asylums provokes suspicion. The common people still believe in the removal of the 
 children's hearts and eyes. These Orphelinats besides are really not wanted, for similar 
 asylums abound in China. 
 
 Article 2 protests against the appearance of women in the same chapels as the men, 
 and against the employment of female missionaries. 
 
 Article 3 assails"^ the missionaries' independence of the laws, their assumption of 
 power and position, their oppression of the people not Christian, their abuse of Con- 
 fucianism, by which they exasperate the people. 
 
 It complains equally of the assumption of independence by the Christian congrega- 
 tions, their refusal to render certain service as subjects of the Empire, to pay revenue to 
 Government, to pay rents to individuals. In all such refusals they are supported by their 
 missionaries, who interfere in suits before the Courts. Betrothals also are repudiated by 
 Christians, and their ahenation of property produces family feuds. 
 
 Article 4 complains of the demands made for indemnity over and above the punishment 
 of offenders, while Christians offending are withheld from justice by missionaries. 
 Missionaries so offending should be required to undergo the same punishment as the 
 offender, otherwise to leave the country. (See the note following this Article.) 
 
 Article 5 would regulate the use of their passports by the missionaries, prevent their 
 transfer, and limit the area of the holder's movements, the penalty of disobedience being 
 
 Article 6 condemns the reception as converts of men whose characters cannot be 
 guaranteed. Bad Christians should be expelled, and a return of all Christians should 'be 
 
 In the note to this Article some instances are given of the admission of rebel leaders 
 and other disreputable people into the Church, and of their subsequent lawless conduct, in 
 one case quoted, apparently under missionary protection. _ .... 
 
 Article 7 denounces the abrogation by missionaries of official attributions in 
 intercourse and correspondence. They should accept, it urges, the status of Chinese 
 
literati in both. Cases are cited in the note of their assuming the use of seals, or titles, or 
 forms of correspondence to which they had no right. 
 
 Article 8 and last deals with the restitution of property formerly belonging to 
 Christians (and now claimed by the Church under Article VI of the Convention of 1860). 
 Buildings are deaianded back without reference to popular sympathies or prejudices ; 
 some that have passed through many hands since the Christians, the original proprietors, 
 sold them ; some that their purchasers have greatly improved. The missionaries will 
 pay nothing, but, on the other hand, when a house they claim is in ruins, they seek to 
 exact money for the repair of it. 
 
 Had it not been for the strong resemblance between the note addressed to Sir 
 Rutherford Alcock and the memorandum now under review, I should have been disposed 
 to regard the latter, to a certain extent, in the light of a defensive document, put forward 
 in deprecation of any further demands that might be made on the score of the Tien-tsin 
 massacre. This is, to a certain extent, its aim, but not, I am satisfied, its only aim. It 
 is intended to be an expose of a state of things that is sorely irritating the educated class 
 who govern China, and an appeal to foreign Governments to unite in effecting some 
 arrangements by which the causes that provoke this irritation may be controlled. 
 
 The papers, especially the supplement, are very l)adly put together. They contain 
 some statements which will be easily contradicted, and some imputations which cannot be 
 sustained ; but, taken with the matter of many a long conversation on the same subject, 
 to which I have listened in the last eight years, they strengthen my conviction that, to 
 secure the missionary against the hostility of the lettered class, one of two courses must be 
 pursued, — either the missionary must be supported, out and out, by the sword of the 
 protecting Powers, or he must be placed by the protecting Powers under restrictions 
 which, whilst leaving him always as much latitude of action as, if simply intent on 
 Christianizing China, he is justified in desiring, will yet enable the Chinese Government to 
 declare to those whose conservatism chafes at the present pretensions of the missionary 
 that he, the missionary, is not authorized by the Power protecting him to put forward the 
 pretensions objected to. 
 
 That the appeal of the Yam^n is feebly drawn up I have already admitted, and 1 
 cannot say much for its candour. Its incompleteness, in my eyes, will be seen from the 
 rejoinder I have drafted to the Grand Secretary Wen Siang, copy of which I inclose. In 
 this T am obliged to impugn the correctness of some of his information, and especially to 
 reject as insufficient the explanation attempted of the Tien-tsin massacre. 
 
 The passage, to my taste, the most offensive in the whole paper is that in which 
 credit is taken for the decision of that case as satisfactory, so much too satisfactory that 
 Christians may be emboldened by it to go greater lengths than heretofore. 
 
 The papers when first circulated appeared to the French exceedingly aggressive. I 
 am not a convert to this view. The Chinese keep back, as might be expected of them, 
 all reference to the barbarous persecution of converts and missionaries in various places, 
 if not at the instigation of the mandarins, at any rate with their full knowledge of what 
 was passing, and they have scanty data for some of their charges of missionary interven- 
 tion and pretentiousness. But I do not believe that this appeal is an excuse for some 
 blow that they know is about to be struck. 
 
 It is fair to add that, by the testimony of Romish missionaries in all directions, the 
 Government is doing its best to prevent any collision with Christians. Three-fourths of 
 the Romish missionaries i-n China, in all, between 400 and 500 persons, are French ; and 
 Romanism in the mouths of non-Christian Chinese, is as popularly termed the religion of 
 the French as the religion of the Lord of Heaven. 
 
 A dread of Romish ascendancy, as I have more than once reported, I have heard very 
 frequently allowed ; and the fear that the ranks of the Romanists, recruited by all who 
 wish to set their own Government at nought, will presently outnumber the well affected, 
 or that the Romish community, without attaining such proportions, will throw itself for 
 support upon the French, although it is not avowed in the Memorandum, is, in my belief, 
 the suggesting cause of its production. 
 
 Tnclosure 1 in No. 6. 
 
 Memorandum of the Tsung-li Yamen upon the Missionary Question, circulated 
 
 February 9, 1871. 
 (Translation.) 
 
 "WHEN the Treaties between China and foreign countries were concluded, it was 
 hoped that their provisions would prove of advantage to both parties, and of disadvantage 
 to neither, and this for evermore. The experience of a series of years, however, has shown 
 
not only that these provisions will not avail for all time, but that even now there are 
 difficulties which they will not solve. 
 
 In trade, indeed, there is no cause of serious quarrel between native and foreigner, but 
 connected with the missionary question there is a vast amoutit of mischief on the increase, 
 the fact being that while propagandism* starts with the announcement that its object is 
 the exhortation of people to virtue, Romanismf as propagated in China, has the effect 
 of setting the people against it ; and inasmuch as this is entirely the result of the ufisuitable- 
 ness of the modus operandi now in vogue, it is essential that there be devised, without loss 
 of time, such remedial measures as will bring things back to a satisfactory condition. 
 
 The missionary question affects the whole question of pacific relations with foreign 
 powers— the whole question of their trade. As the Minister addressed cannot but be well 
 aware, wherever missionaries of the Romish profession appear, ill-feeling begins between 
 them and the people, and for years past, in one case or another, points of ail kinds on 
 which they are at issue, have been presenting themselves. In earlier times when the 
 Romish missionaries first came to China, styled, as they were, " Si Ju," the Scholars of 
 the West, their converts no doubt for the most part were persons of good character ; but, 
 since the exchange of ratifications in 1860, the converts have in general not been of a 
 moral class. The result has been that the religion that professes to exhort men to virtue 
 has come to be thought lightly of; it is, in consequence, unpopular, and its unpopularity 
 is greatly increased by the conduct of the converts who, relying on the influence of the 
 the missionaries, oppress and take advantage of the common people (the non-Christians) : 
 and yet more by the conduct of the missionaries themselves, who, when colHsions between 
 Christians and the people occur, and the authorities are engaged in deahng with them, take 
 part with the Christians, and uphold them in their opposition to the authorities. This 
 undiscriminating enlistment of proselytes has gone so far that rebels and criminals of China, 
 pettifoggers and mischief-makers, and such liiie, take refuge in the profession of Christianity, 
 and covered by this position, create disorder. This has deeply dissatisfied the people, and 
 their dissatisfaction long felt grows into animosity, and their animosity into deadly hostility. 
 The populations of different locaKties are not aware that Protestantism and Romanism are 
 distinct. They include both under the latter denomination. They do not know that there 
 is any distinction between the nations of the West. They include them all under the one 
 denomination of foreigners, and thus any serious collision that occurs equally compromises 
 all foreigners in China. Even in the provinces not concerned, doubt and misgiving are 
 certain to be largely generated. Under such circumstances, how is it possible but that 
 there should be irritation, and that this should show itself in serious outbreaks ? That 
 creed is distinct from creed, and nationality from nationality, is a truth, and it is not that 
 this truth has not been again and again the subject of injunction and exposition, but the 
 inculcation of the truth of such things upon every one, bouse by house, and family by 
 family, is scarcely possible. 
 
 During the ten years that the Prince and the Ministers have held officej the 
 apprehension (that something of this sort would happen) has been to them a subject of 
 anxiety from night to morning ; and now, this year, at a moment's notice, did come this 
 outbreak at Tien-tsin. The condemnation of the local authorities, the decapitation of the 
 principals, and the payments for indemnity and reparation, have all been nearly arranged, 
 but they cannot help continuing anxious, because, if measures like these are all that one 
 can rely on for (the disposing of) quarrels between the people and the Christians, the 
 oftenerthey are resorted to the greater will be the difficulty (of resorting to them), and 
 outbreaks like this (of Tien-tsin) will recur, each more terrible than the preceding. 
 While things present the aspect they now wear, how is it possible that there should be no 
 future misunderstandings ? Be it that the troubles connected with propagandism come of 
 the resentment of the people roused at last to wrath ? It is not the less a fact that the 
 Christians have given them cause of exasperation. Allowing again that, with cases of the 
 kind in the provinces, the local authorities have not always succeeded in dealing satisfac- 
 torily, it is not the less a fact that their failure is due to the course pursued by the high 
 authorities, native and foreign, administering (international) questions. They well know 
 that, in the arrangements affecting the missionaries and the Christians, there is much of 
 incongruity (much that does not go smoothly) ; but they do not choose to take steps for 
 the remedying of this; and when, one day or other, an affair comes suddenly upon them, 
 all the foreign Government thinks of is the moment's comfort (some arrangement that will 
 do for the time being) ; no regard is had to the question whether the people's feeHngs are 
 for or against (what is required) ; the one thing to be done is to constrain them by forefe. 
 
 * " Chuan-chiao," propagation of the doctrine. 
 
 + " Tien-chu-chi," the doctrine of the Lord of Heaven. 
 
 I That is, since the establishment of the Yamfen of Foreign Affairs in 1860. 
 
G 
 
 The Chinese authorities, on their side, lool<ing only to settlement somehow or other, are 
 without an alternative. 
 
 Thus, both parties alike being set upon the adjustment pro tempore of what is before 
 them, no thought on either side is bestowed upon (measures that will continue effectual) 
 any length of time ; and when a foreign Government is applied to, as on occasion it is, to 
 inquire (with that of China) into the source and origin (of these misunderstandings), to 
 the end that some means may be discovered of preventing them for all time to come, there 
 is, alas, no disposition to discuss the matter in a spirit of equity. If there be a discussion, 
 something utterly impracticable is proposed ; and this is urged with violence in order that 
 its non-adoption may be made an excuse for a dead-lock. 
 
 This is not that spirit of honesty in which international Agents should treat affairs. 
 
 The Prince and the Ministers are taking thought for the common interest in all its 
 bearings. Greatly desiring that China and foreign nations should be well with each other, 
 that peace should endure for evermore, they are bound to consider maturely what course 
 it may be best to pursue. They humbly conceive that to enable the teachers of religion 
 in the States of the West to live as they do in each other's countries without misunder- 
 standing ever arising (between them and the natives of the country they adopt), there 
 must be some suitable arrangement in virtue of which neither the teacher nor follower of 
 the religion has it in his power to give trouble. They have been told that the teacher of 
 religion, no matter what his nationality, if residing in a country not his own, conforms to 
 the laws and usages of that country, and that he is not allowed to assume a status of 
 independence, that he is strictly interdicted disobedience of the laws of the State, or the 
 commands of the authorities, usurpation of power not belonging to him, or excessive use 
 of power that does belong to him ; injury of people's characters (or, creation of scandal) 
 and tyrannical treatment of people ; for that by such acts the suspicion of the people is 
 provoked, and their animosity excited ; all lawless doings, in short. Were this the course 
 pursued in China, if before building religious establishments, and beginning to preach [the 
 missionary] was to make certain of not producing a feeling of aversion and odium on the 
 part of the gentry and people, there would be confidence (between the two parties), 
 instead of suspicion ; steps would then be taken that would make a long endurance of 
 friendly understanding a possibility, and would prevent the destruction of establishments, 
 and the abuse of the religion. And if the teachers of religion were to make the public 
 well understand what they are engaged about as the business of their vocation ; if they 
 did nothing that was at issue with the doctrine they teach ; if, farther, they would not let 
 their converts instigate them to meddle with the public business of the locality, and to do 
 acts of violence and oppression on the strength of their position, acts such as move the 
 gentry and people to wrath and hatred ; if missionaries would conduct themselves in this 
 manner, the people would be on good terms with them, the authorities could protect 
 them. The course pursued by the missionaries who now come to China is at variance in 
 every particular with any that the Prince and Ministers have ever understood (to be 
 sanctioned by their religion) ; and being, as they are, just like an infinite number of inde- 
 pendent rival States in the heart of another State, is it possible that, however much they 
 may desire it, peace should be kept for ever unbroken between them (and the people 
 amona; whom they may be), or that the authorities and people should be prevented uniting 
 in feelings of anger and hatred against them ? 
 
 The Prince and Ministers would guard against mischief before it becomes a fact, and 
 what they seriously apprehend is this : that when the Tien-tsin case is closed, the 
 Christians in different places, knowing no better, will be emboldened by it, and (so far 
 from taking warning by what has occurred, will), on the contrary, allow themselves to 
 swagger and bluster ad libitum ; the dislike of the people will be intensified, and after due 
 accumulation their wrath will burst forth at a day's warning ; a great catastrophe will be 
 the consequence of the effervescence ; it will be beyond the control of the the local 
 authorities, presently beyond the control of the Provincial Governments, and the Yam^n 
 of Foreign Affairs will be equally powerless. And if there be an unanimous rising of the 
 Chinese people. His Majesty our Emperor may send Special Commissioners, or may set 
 troops in motion in all parts of the Empire ; but the whole population cannot be put to 
 death. Their anger, besides, once roused, we must be prepared for the refusal of the 
 people to bow the head and submit to death. But when it comes to this that the damage 
 is past help, and the Governments, Chinese and foreign, notwithstanding their desire, in 
 that they are at peace, to preserve the common interest from harm, are without a means to 
 that end, a charge will lie at the door of the international agents of both, from which they 
 cannot excuse themselves. 
 
 To sum up : whether in China or in any other country, it is essential that action taken 
 be in accord with popular feeling. If it be not so in accord, and the popular feeling be 
 
violently overborne, there is sure to be in the long run > popular convulsion. There 
 are occasions in which orders, though they be the orders of the Government, will not be 
 obeyed. ' 
 
 ^^S^ ^^P^of^atic Agents of China and foreign countries, upon whom the 
 responsibility rests, are utterly without [counsels that may] supply [what is wantinpl 
 and rescue [what is imperilled from danger] ; if they are to sit still looking on at the 
 people ot Lmna and the mercantile communities of different nations in a most critical 
 position, unable to suggest any course of action that shall serve its purpose [in the matter 
 under discussion], it will come to pass by-and-by that in no public matter of common 
 interest will a satisfactory course of action be possible. The Prince and the Ministers 
 desiring to preserve inviolate the friendly relations of China with other nations, are 
 earnestly set upon discovering some means of remedying [the mischief here considered], 
 and to this end they have drawn up eight Articles (or Rules), copy of which they forward 
 lor the perusal of the Minister addressed. 
 
 i^x X^7 ^^^ sending a copy to each of the Representatives. This is addressed to 
 Mr. Wade, who they hope will examine it. 
 
 Inclosure 2 in No. 6. 
 Eight Propositions appended to the Yamen's Memorandum on the Missionary Question. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 1 . THE practice of taking young children into the missionary (or Christian) " yii-ying- 
 t'ang " (infant asylums) without giving notice to the authorities has invested the proceeding 
 with an air of mystery, the result of which is the generation of suspicion, out of the fer- 
 mentation consequent on which come acts (or feelings) of hostility. It would be best to 
 break up all these foreign asylums in order to the prevention of misgiving ; but if their 
 suppression be impossible, the admissions into the Christian asylums might be limited to 
 the children of Christian parents unable to take care of them. Notice ought in any case 
 to be given to the authorities, that they might place it on record on what day [any child] 
 was taken in, who the child was, and when it was taken away again ; also what person, if 
 any, was authorized, on giving security, to adopt it ; so that a means might be known to 
 exist of ascertaining the facts. Children not belonging to Christian famihes it will be the 
 duty of the Provincial Governments of China to direct the local authorities of their juris- 
 dictions to choose members of the lettered class to deal with. 
 
 Thus each party (the Christian and the non-Christian) would do its own good work, 
 and beginnings of suspicion would be prevented. 
 
 [Original note on the above.] — By the rule affecting Chinese infant asylums, the history 
 of every child as it comes in and goes out of the asylum is known ; it is reported to the 
 authorities. After the child is admitted, its parents are enabled to visit it. As it grows 
 up it may either be adopted by some childless person, security being given, or the family 
 which entered it may take it back. Whatever may be the persuasion [in which it was 
 born] to that persuasion it returns. The children being, withal, charitably taken care of 
 in the asylums their reception into them is consequently a charitable work. 
 
 The way of managing children's asylums in foreign countries is understood to be much 
 the same as that under the Chinese sygtem : but the pecuHar system under which, in 
 China, foreign asylums are managed, the admission of children without inquiry as to their 
 history, the absence of all notice to the authorities, the refusal of permission to persons to 
 adopt the children or to take them back, or to their families to visit them, inevitably 
 produce suspicion on the part of the people. 
 
 Thus, in the Tien-tsin affair, it has been represented to the Throne, no doubt, that 
 the hearts or eyes of children had not in any case been taken out (as was alleged), but the 
 people's doubts are not for all that entirely removed. Their mouths may be closed, but 
 they do not surrender their convictions, and there is no saying that their misgivings may 
 not at some future time again be productive of hostility. If all the foreign infant asylums 
 were broken up, and [the foreigner] were to do his work of charity in his own country, the 
 saving and bringing up of Chinese children, whether Christians or not, would devolve 
 upon China. There is a large number of establishments for this purpose in every province 
 of China. What occasion is there, then, for the intervention of foreign nations in a fashion 
 which renders a proceeding in the interest of charity a cause of suspicion and indignation ? 
 It were far better that each party should do its own work of charity. This would be the 
 surest way of preventing mischief for all time to come* 
 
 [58] C 
 
8 
 
 2. Women should under no circumstances be admitted into the chapels (or 
 establishments), nor should female missionaries be allowed in China : this to show a sense 
 of decorum on the part of the Christians, and to prevent criticism of their proceedings as 
 extraordinary, on the part of the Chinese. 
 
 [Original Note.'] — To China the highest importance is attached to good fame (or, to 
 the decorum which insures it), and to modest deportment. The men and women have no 
 immediate intercourse with each other ; their apartments are separated, and the line of 
 demarcation between them is very strictly observed (or, insisted upon). Since the 
 relaxation of the restrictions affecting Romanism, people have heard, to then- surprise, 
 that women go into the chapels, and the fact that the sexes are not kept apart, and that 
 they remain a long time in the chapels, produces a tendency on the part of the people to 
 hold them cheap, and to suspect that their religion is a pretence to cover indecorous (or 
 immoral) practices. 
 
 3. Missionaries residing in China should be amenable to Chinese law and usages. 
 They should not be allowed an independent position. They should not be allowed to 
 disobey the laws of the State, or the orders of the officials ; to assume authority that does 
 not belong to them, or to overstep the limits of the authority that does belong to them ; 
 to cause scandal to reputations, or to oppress the people, thereby producing suspicion, and 
 provoking the multitude to anger. Neither should they exasperate the people by reviling 
 Confucianism. All missionaries ought to be under the control of the local authorities ; 
 and Chinese Christians should in every respect be on the same footing as ordinary Chinese. 
 They should be exempted, according to the rules [in forcej from contributing to 
 theatrical entertainments, and processions (or gatherings) ; but they ought not to be more 
 exempt [than any other Chinese], from corvees, or the public obhgations of the locality. 
 Still less should they presume upon their religious profession to evade full payment 
 either of the regular revenue, or of rent due to the landlords of their holdings ; neither 
 should they be upheld by their missionaries in their refusal to pay. 
 
 The administration of justice, in cases in which Christians and non-Christians are 
 both interested, should be always left to the local authorities ; the missionaries should not 
 put themselves forward to fight their battles, neither should they keep Christians, whether 
 plaintiff or defendant, from appearing in the Courts, to the embarrassment of the parties in 
 the case. 
 
 When a missionary takes on himself to interfere, the local authorities should send 
 up the letter of the missionary, or report his language, if his appeal was made in person, 
 to the high authorities of the province, and these should communicate with the Yam^n ; 
 and the missionary should be sent back to his own country. Chinese Christians [on the 
 other hand] , if, in law-suits affecting marriages, land questions, or the like, they attempt 
 to take advantage of their status [as Christians], and try to get the missionaries to plead 
 for them, should be severely punished by the local authorities. 
 
 [^Original Note.~\ — In China there are adherents to the doctrine of Confucius, also to 
 that of Buddha, and to that of Tao [but all are alike obedient to the law of the land]. 
 The Lamas, for instance, although not Chinese, in all cases conform obediently to the laws 
 of China. The local authorities dispose of all questions and cases [in which they are 
 parties] . 
 
 It is understood that [abroad] foreign missionaries when residing in other countries 
 than their own, are in every case amenable to the laws and customs of that country. 
 They are not permitted to assume a status of independence, and to violate the laws 
 of the country and commands of the constituted authorities ; to arrogate to them- 
 selves the authority [of officials], or to overstep the limits of their own powers ; to cause 
 scandal to reputations, and tyrannize over and ill-treat the people, thereby exciting popular 
 suspicions, and calling forth general hatred and indignation. 
 
 Missionaries in China ought in liice manner, when in the practice of their calHng, to 
 submit to the jurisdiction of the local authorities. Instead of doing so they go beyond all 
 bounds in assuming an attitude of arrogant importance, and of overbearing resistance to 
 the authorities. 
 
 Native Christians again are Chinese subjects, and it is still more incumbent on them 
 to be well-behaved, and to be in every respect like the ordinary subjects of the country. 
 Whether in the towns or in the country they ought to be on good terms and act in 
 harmony with their neighbours. But far from doing so, when [for instance] a district is 
 called on to contribute [either money or services] for a public purpose, or when a fund has 
 to be collected in a neighbourhood for a common object, they seek to excuse themselves 
 from contributing by pleading their religion. When they thus take the lead in isolating 
 themselves, how can others help regarding them as isolated ? They even go so far as to 
 
refuse the payment of taxes, and to resist the officers of justice. Th6y coerce the 
 authorities, and cheat and oppress .the people. And the foreign missionaries, without 
 inquiring into facts, conceal in every case the Christian evil-doer, and refuse to surrender 
 him to the authorities for punishment. It has even occurred that malefactors who have 
 been guilty of the gravest crimes have thrown themselves into the profession of Christianity, 
 andhave been at once accepted and screened [from justice]. In every province do the 
 foreign missionaries interfere at the offices of the local authorities in "lawsuits in which 
 native Christians are concerned. For example, in a case that occurred in Sze-chuen in 
 which some native Christian women defrauded certain persons [non-ChristiansJ of the rent 
 owing to them, and actually had these persons wounded and killed, the French Bishop 
 took on himself to write in official form [to the authorities] pleading in their favour. 
 None of these women were sentenced to forfeit life for life taken, arid the resentment of 
 the people of Sze-chuen in consequence remains unabated. 
 
 In Kwei-chow, native Christians, whenever they have a law-suit, of whatever kind it 
 may be, invariably state in their plaint that they are Christians ; and they do so in the 
 hope of thereby gaining their case. The evils that result from such a practice are easily 
 
 seen. 
 
 It happens frequently in the provinces that, if after a betrothal has taken place 
 between two famiUes, one of the families becomes Christian, while the other remains non- 
 Christian, the non-Christian family is at once compelled to break off the marriage 
 engagement. 
 
 Again, it may happen that the father or elder brother in a family becomes a Christian, 
 while the sons or younger brothers remain non-Christians. The father or elder brother 
 will at once file a petition in the courts, charging the son or younger brother with 
 disobedience, and will be supported and assisted in this action by the missionary. These, 
 and numberless proceedings of the same kind, have roused the deepest popular 
 resentment. 
 
 4. Where Chinese and foreigners live together in the same locality, the law must be 
 impartially administered. 
 
 In cases of homicide, the penalty being a life for a life, Chinese subjects ought to be 
 dealt with according to Chinese law, and foreigners according to foreign law.* This would 
 satisfy popular feeling. 
 
 In every case, whether dealt with by Chinese or foreign officials, the penalty to be 
 undergone should be awarded with reference to the case itself, and no claim for pecuniary 
 compensation over and above the punishment of the criminal concerned should be brought 
 forward. Still less should it be permitted the [missionaries] to go beyond the criminals 
 concerned ; and by insisting on the complicity of members of the gentry, or of the 
 mercantile class, to compel innocent persons to pay indemnity. In cases between converts 
 and non-converts that come before the local authorities, whichever party may be found to 
 be the aggressors, in awarding the punishment to be inflicted there ought to be no undue 
 severity on either side. 
 
 Should the character of a convert be of a generally lawless character, and the 
 knowledge of his conduct reach the local authorities, whether by special inquiry or by a 
 complaijit lodged [said .convert] should submit to be arrested, and dealt with according to 
 law. His missionary should not be permitted to protect or conceal him. Should there 
 be attempts to protect him, or to resist the summons of the local authority, the offender 
 must still be punished as the law lays down ; and, in addition, the missionary attemptitig 
 to protect and to resist the local authority, should be required to undergo the same 
 penalty as the offender himself, or in default of submission be withdrawn [from China] to 
 his own country. 
 
 [Original Note.] — In the case of the missionary Feng-Pi-Lo (Mabileau), killed in a 
 collision in Sze-chuen in 1867, one Yan Lao-wu was arrested, tried, and executed; but 
 the missionary Mei (Mihi^res) persisted in asserting that the gentry were the chief 
 instigators [of the outrage], and forced the payment of 80,000 taels as compensation. 
 The men engaged in that disturbance were all ignorant, indigent, common people. It was 
 an affair which came to a head and broke out suddenly. But the proceedings of the 
 missionaries, in requiring the payment by respectable, wealthy, well-behaved people, of a 
 sum of money by way of compensation, has caused the deepest indignation. 
 
 Again, take the case of the missionary Li Kao (Rigaud) who was killed in a collision 
 in Sze-chuen in 1869. The real cause of the affair was the repudiation of a betrothal at 
 the instance of a native Christian, who insisted upon its repudiation. The Tartar General 
 
 * The writer means that the foreigner ought to be put to death. 
 
 \j 2 
 
10 
 
 Ch'ung, and the Governor-General, Li, were associated in dealing with the case. They 
 arrested and executed Ho Ts'ai, a Chinese non-Christian, the principal in the murder of 
 the missionary and native Christians, and sentenced one Liu-Fu to death by strangulation. 
 But as regards the native Christians, Wang Hsiao-ting, Ch'ang Tien-hsing, and others, 
 who have murdered poor non-Christians, and who are well known to be the leaders of a 
 gang of evil-doers, who for years have been committing acts of extortion, rape, abduction, 
 arson, and murder, though sentence has been passed upon them, they have never 
 delivered themselves up. 
 
 Again, in the case of the Seu-to (sacristan), T'an Fu-Ch'^n, who at the head of a band 
 [of assassins] killed Chao Yung-lin, and over 200 others, members of the local militia, the 
 missionary Mei (Mihi^res), asserts that this offender has gone abroad, and that there are 
 no means of punishing him ; and the indignation and hatred of the people of Sze-chuen 
 have been greatly increased in consequence. 
 
 5. The passports taken out by French missionaries, [authorizing them] to proceed to 
 any province to preach and teach, should state distinctly and precisely the province and 
 prefecture they propose going to. If the passport of a missionary states that he is to 
 pursue his calling in a particular province, he should not be permitted on any false pretext 
 to repair clandestinely to another province. 
 
 The name of the holder of a passport should be set forth thereon and he should not be 
 permitted to transfer it at pleasure to another person. 
 
 The missionary should not be permitted to defraud the revenue by carrying dutiable 
 goods through the barriers and Customs stations he may pass en route. On arrival in the 
 province and prefecture for which he is bound, he should deliver up his passport for 
 inspection at the yam^n of the local authority. If, on examination, it be found that the 
 holder and the locality do not correspond [with what is stated on the passport], or if the 
 passport has been transferred to a native Christian who assumes therewith the status of a 
 missionary, the passport should be cancelled ; and if the transfer has been corruptly made 
 for a money consideration, or if there are any other circumstances of illegality connected 
 with the affair, the native who has illegally assumed the missionary status will be punished 
 Vfith severity, and the missionary should himself be expelled the country. 
 
 In regard to the names of the missionaries inserted in the passports, the name, as 
 written in Chinese, must be taken as the real name, in order that the local [authorities] may 
 be able to distinguish one from another. On the death of a missionary, or if he return to 
 his native country, or if he change his calling and cease to be a missionary, his passport 
 should be delivered up at once to be cancelled. In order to show the genuine desire [of 
 the Chinese Government] to extend an efficient protection [to missionaries, it should be laid 
 down that] no holder of passports will be permitted to go to districts in any province 
 where there are rebels, and no passports issued for any province in which military opera- 
 tions are being carried on. 
 
 [Original Note^^ — In a missionary case in Kwei-chow, there was mentioned one Chao, a 
 missionary, but in the Missionary Passport Register for Kwei-chow, no such name was found. 
 M. Deveria, the Interpreter [of the French Legation] , wrote to say that he found, on reference 
 to the old foreign register, that Chao Seu-to (sacristan) who had died of wounds he had 
 received, had been called Chao by mistake, and was in reality the person who, under the name 
 of Jui Lo-ssu, had taken out a passport on the 25th day of the 6th moon of the 4th year of 
 T'ung Chih (16th August, 1865). Now it appears from the records that one Jui Lo-ssu 
 did take out passport No. 325 on August 16, 1865, but he was proceeding to Sze-chuen, 
 and in the Passport Register for Kwei-chow neither the name Chao nor Jui Lo-ssu occur. 
 If such discrepancies and such interchanging of places and names as the foregoing is 
 allowed, how is it possible to arrive at that knowledge of the truth which is necessary to 
 the rendering of due protection 1 Again take the case of the missionary Lin Fu-chen 
 (Paul Splingaert) who killed the Russian. Lin Fu-chen was at first a missionary, and 
 afterwards became a servant in the Prussian Legation, but his passport was never returned 
 to be cancelled. Should the document be transferred to another person, or should it fall 
 into other hands, not only would the irregularity of falsely assuming an improper status 
 unavoidably take place, but should it eventually reach the hands of a rebel, the resulting 
 injury to the Government would be very serious, and it may be asked, " would the good 
 name of the Christian Society not also be compromised ? " 
 
 6. Since the missionaries have for their object the exhortation of men to virtue, it is 
 their duty, before receiving any person into their society, to ascertain whether he has or 
 has not been an offender against the law, [or whether he is a person] of bad character. [If 
 he is found to be such as] can be received, let them receive them ; if not, they ought 
 
u 
 
 ot to receive him. In accordance with the law of China, providing that a return [of 
 he inmatesj of all temples shall be sent in to the headman of the district [to be entered by 
 himj m a register [which he shall keep] for reference. A separate report ought to be 
 made to the local authorities within a given time, of every man received into their sect, 
 stating the year, month, and day of his reception, the place he comes from, and his means 
 ot subsistence up to that date. [They ought] further to [guarantee that the man is not an 
 offender against the law, and that he has not changed his name, [that a note may be made 
 ot the same] for [future] reference ; and if any man so received die or go away, they should 
 in a,ll cases immediately report. If, when a man is received into a sect, there be nothing 
 against him, but if after his reception he commit a breach of the law, he should at once be 
 expelled and, as in other cases [above detailed], a report be made. 
 
 Every month and every quarter a general return should be sent in to the local 
 authorities for inspection, and those officers, in accordance with the law of China, 
 [authorizing] the inspection of Buddhist nunneries and temples, the Taoist establishments 
 should m the same manner pay a visit of inspection to the missionary establishments 
 monthly and quarterly. 
 
 By this means the [good] name of the sect will be preserved unharmed, and peace 
 will be preserved [between Christian and non- Christian]. 
 
 [Original Note].~In the 5th year of T'ung Chih (1866), the Governor of Kwei-chow 
 reported [the following] case : — 
 
 _ At Kuei-ting-hsien, Jan Shih-pao and others, followers of the rebels, had joined a 
 society established by Yiian yii-hsiang and Hsia Chen-hsing, converts, and had made their 
 Christianity a pretext for getting together a number of men, joined with whom they 
 murdered two men, Wang-chiang-pao and Tso yin-shu, and wounded three others, taking 
 all their money, household property, oxen, and horses. 
 
 Again, in the 8th year of T'ung Chih (1869), the Governor of Kwei-chow reported 
 [the following] case : — 
 
 The whole prefecture of Tsun-i had sent in a petition complaining that Sung Yii-shan, 
 T'ang Shen-hsien, T'an Yuan-shuai, and Chien Yiian-shai, soi-disant rebel generalissimos, 
 had been received as converts, and that innumerable people in the towns and villages [of 
 the Prefecture] had suffered injury at their hands. 
 
 Again : Yang Hsi-po, Liu K'ai-wen, Ch'ing Hsiao-ming, Ho Wen-chiu, Chao W^n-an, 
 and others, all of whom were converts and people of disreputable families in the jurisdic- 
 tion of Tsun-i, employed in the business of the rehgious establishments, were tyrannising 
 over the orphans and the weak, and oppressing and extorting money from the simple 
 villagers. They went in and out of the courts [as they pleased] and engrossed the manage- 
 ment of [all] lawsuits. If any converts were non-suited (or lost their cause) Yang Hsi-po 
 and the rest at once forced their way into the magistracy with a crowd of [their fellow-] 
 converts and compelled the magistrate to alter his decision. If any convert was taken into 
 custody they went at once with the foreign missionary's card, and requested his immediate 
 release. They were very many cases of unlawful possession of men's wives and daughters 
 and of property, and murder, and all such crimes. 
 
 7. Missionaries should obey the established laws (or respect the dignity) of China ; 
 in this they ought not to transgress, be it ever so little. They have no right to use ofHcial 
 seals or to attempt official correspondence with Yamfins, large or small, in the form arguing 
 equality of position. If a case occurs in which they have to appeal in their own behalf to 
 the authorities, the case not being connected with other lawsuits, their application to the 
 authorities ought to be in the form which, in accordance with Chinese usage is employed 
 by the literati, a ping (petition). If they visit Chinese high officials they ought to observe 
 the same ceremonies as those laid down by Chinese law to be observed by Chinese literates 
 when visiting high officers ; and when they have to request an interview with the local 
 authorities they ought also to observe the same rule. They have no business to come 
 straight (unceremoniously) into a public office to the confusion and disturbance of public 
 business. 
 
 [Original Note.] — In the spring of the 6th year of T'ung Chih (1867), the General 
 at Ch'eng-tu wrote to report that the French bishop [by name] Hung (Pinchon) had, 
 when writing to the official Committee (most likely that charged with raising funds for 
 the suppression of rebellion) in Sze-chuen, made use of a [Chinese] official seal which he 
 had had cast. 
 
 In the 7th year of T'ung Chih (1868) Hu Fu-li (Fawrie), Bishop of Kwei-chow, took 
 upon himself to address the Yamen a communication in the form " chao hui," which he 
 sent by the Governmentpostcouriers, commending To-wen, the former Taoutae and others, 
 and requesting that extraordinary marks of favour might be bestowed upon them. 
 
12 
 
 A case occurred of a missionary in Shantung assuming the title of Sinn-fu (Governor 
 of a province).* Both in Sze-chuen and Kwei-chow missionaries have held such language 
 as that in consequence of cases affecting the religion they were obliged to request the with- 
 drawal of the local authorities. This is not only encroachment upon the authority of the 
 local officials but usurpation of the authority of the Chinese Government. How is it 
 possible that all these improprieties should not arouse general indignation ? 
 
 8. In the interest of peace it will not do for missionaries to be demanding restitu- 
 tion of any chapel they may please to indicate. When Christians wish to buy land for 
 the erection of religious establishments, or to rent public places, they should, first, in 
 conjunction with the real owner of the property, lay the matter before the local authority, 
 that he may ascertain whether the ffing shuif will be interfered with. If he allows the 
 sale, after inquiry, and if, moreover, the people of the place are not hostile to it, authority 
 can be given to proceed in accordance with the Agreement of the 4th year of Tung Chih 
 (1865), that is, it ought to be stated on the title-deed that the land belongs to the Chinese 
 Christians as their common property. It should not be permitted in buying property to 
 effect the transfer by making use of some other name [than that of the real purchaser] ; 
 nor should it be permitted to effect the transfer irregularly (otherwise than as the law 
 requires) upon the deceitful representations of dishonest people, f 
 
 [Original Note.] — As missionaries have to reside permanently in China, it is, of course, 
 desirable that they should be on good terms with the Chinese, and that they should not 
 provoke the irritation and dislike of the Chinese. They would then be able to live in 
 harmony with them without exciting suspicion. At the present time much of the conduct 
 [the people] are unwiUing to allow the missionary to remain in any place that he goes to. 
 of Christians clashes against the feelings of the Chinese people. To take claims for the 
 restitution of chapels as an instance : — During the last few years the restitution of chapels 
 in different places in every province has been insisted upon without any regard for the 
 feeling of the masses, the missionaries obstinately persisting in their claims. They have 
 also pointed out fine handsome houses [belonging to, or occupied by] the gentry or others 
 as buildings once used as churches, and these they have compelled the people to give up. 
 Places even [the surrender of which] was a question of dignity improper,^ with meeting- 
 halls, clubs, temples, all such being places held in high respect by the gentry and people 
 of the whole neighbourhood, they have forced from them for the benefit of the Church, in 
 lieu [of other lands or buildings]. || 
 
 A farther consideration is this : — Buildings which were once used as chapels have 
 been in some cases sold years ago by Christians ; and having been sold and re-sold by one 
 of the people to another, have passed through the hands of several proprietors. There is 
 also a large number of buildings which have been newly repaired at very considerable 
 expense of which the missionaries have insisted on the restitution, refusing at the same 
 time to pay anything for them. On the other hand there are some houses which have 
 accidentally become dilapidated, and the missionaries put in a claim for the necessary 
 repairs. Their conduct excites the indignation of the people whenever they come in 
 contact with each other, till they appear to be at feud v/ith each other, and it becomes 
 impossible for them to live quietly together. 
 
 The grievances detailed in this Memorandum are only a few instances cited to show 
 the impropriety of missionary proceedings, and the [consequent] impossibility of a good 
 understanding between the Christians and the people. No time should be lost in looking 
 for a remedy suited to the disease, one that may so avail both parties as to prevent the 
 missionary question injuriously affecting friendly relations between China and foreign 
 countries. There are other cases, too, in every province too numerous to mention. 
 
 There are good men as well as bad ; by the removal of the tares the wheat is 
 strengthened. Thus, in trade, by dealing severely with fraudulent merchants, the interests 
 of the upright are secured. Now, if the missionaries make no distinction between good 
 and bad men, but receive all men alike that come forward into their church, then the 
 wicked who become their converts will use their religion to compass the ruin of the good. 
 
 * The words literally mean, "to go the rounds comforting or consoling;" used as a title they designate a 
 provincial Governor. 
 
 f The " feng shui," air and water influence, is one of the great pests of China. In the aspect of a house, 
 choice of a grave, opening of a door or window, planting of a chimney, this influence has to be consulted, and to 
 the neglect of it most direful consequences are attributed. 
 
 J To avoid discussions, the missionary, I believe, occasionally endeavours to acquire the ground needed by 
 putting forward this or that particular Christian. There can be no real objection to this proceeding. 
 
 § Probably Yamens are meant. 
 
 jj Other lands, &c., restoration of which they could not obtain. 
 
18 
 
 Extreme indeed would be the danger if, popular indignation having been once 
 seriously aroused by this opposition to the authorities, the hatred of the whole population 
 of China were excited like that of the people of Tien-tsin against foreigners, and orders, 
 though issued by the Government, could not be for all that put in force. 
 
 In the propositions here enumerated, the Chinese Government, while making every 
 effort to assure the security [of the foreigner], is adhering, on the other hand, to a policy 
 of liberal treatment. If the missionaries will faithfully endeavour to abide by what is laid 
 down, peace can be maintained between them and the Chinese ; but if they consider 
 themselves [too much] restricted by it, or if they regard it as at issue with the tenets of 
 their religion, they had best not proselytize in China. Native Christians will, of course, 
 be treated as favourably as non-converts. No distinction will be made. The meaning of 
 this is not that China is laying a prohibition on missionary preaching, but that by not 
 attending peaceably to their proper work, and by allowing themselves to be made tools of 
 by native Christians, missionaries will for certain provoke an amount of popular indignation 
 that there will be no facing, [and that on this will follow] a universal catastrophe.* 
 It is better, therefore, now to explain [what the danger is] beforehand than to prove unable 
 to give due protection when the moment arrives. 
 
 Inclosure 3 in No. 6. 
 
 Note addressed by the Minister Wen Siang to Sir R, Alcock. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 THE writer again addresses [Sir R. Alcock]. 
 
 The object of foreigners who enter the interior to propagate their doctrines is the 
 exhortation of men to virtue. But among their converts there are men evil disposed and 
 well disposed ; [the latter] relying on their creed as a sort of magic spell which shall 
 protect them, by their conduct bring the preaching of Christianity into such discredit that 
 Add to this, that the missionary thinks only of the number of converts he can make ; he 
 makes no inquiry into private character, but receives and enrols all [who come]. Having 
 entered the [Christian] society, the good are bent no doubt on being good, but on the 
 other hand the evil make [their religion] a pretext for defrauding and oppressing 
 unoffending people, till by degrees indignation and rage reach a point at which the relations 
 [of the two parties] become as those of fire and water. At the present time, as the 
 British Minister must doubtless be well aware, case after case of murder has occurred, the 
 consequence of feuds between Christians and non-Christians. Although the creeds of the 
 various foreign countries differ in their origin and development from eacn other, the 
 natives of China are unable to see the distinction between them. In their eyes all 
 [teachers of religion] are " missionaries from the West," and directly they hear a lying 
 story [about any of these missionaries] without making further and minute inquiry [into 
 its truth], they rise in a body to molest him. The Yang-chow affair is plain evidence of 
 
 this. 
 
 Now if no preventive measures are adopted some great catastrophe will inevitably 
 
 arise. 
 
 Regulations ought, therefore, to be drawn up, with such care as shall enable them to 
 prevent native Christians from making their reHgion a pretext for extorting money from 
 honest people, or the non-Christians from taking advantage of their numerical superiority 
 to defraud and oppress the Christians ; which shall besides bring missionaries, even as 
 the priests of the Buddhist and Taouist sects, under the jurisdiction of the local 
 authorities. Seeing that missionaries wish to reside in China, that their doctrines miay 
 gradually be propagated far and wide, they cannot wish the Chinese to look upon them as 
 differing from themselves. They ought, therefore, to put themselves on the same footing 
 as Chinese subjects. Buddhism is also a creed of Western origin, but the reason why its 
 followers have so long been at peace with the Chinese, each party adhering to his own 
 religion, is this, that although there is a difference of religion, the propagators of this 
 creed are, as well as the others, under the control of the local authorities. And so in Con- 
 fucianism', the system most esteemed in China, when such men as Chin shih and Han Un 
 (those who have taken the highest degrees), after having filled official positions return 
 home, or become the heads of schools, they become subordinate as they were before [th^y 
 took office] to the local authorities. This is always the rule. At the present time foreign 
 missionaries, as a general rule, adopt the Chinese dress, but they do not [at the same time] 
 
 * Lit., a grand smash in every place. 
 
14 
 
 submit to Chinese law. Tliey thus begin by holding themselves as outside [the pale of 
 the law], and show to others that they are not to be treated as ordinary people. And the 
 native Christians go farther : they defraud and oppress ordinary subjects of the country, 
 or withstand and disobey the authorities. [Such being the case] it is not to be wondered 
 at that men become indignant, and that surprise is everywhere manifested. 
 
 But let only this change be made, viz., that [missionaries] be placed under the control 
 of the local authorities (who must not be allowed to be vexatious in their treatment of 
 them), and the result will be that Christians and non-Christians will be placed on a just 
 level vis-a-vis with each other, and no troubles will arise from unexpected sources. 
 
 The missionary question, moreover, gravely affects the whole question of commercial 
 relations. Some measure must, therefore, be devised in time that shall insure the 
 maintenance of everlasting and sincere friendship. 
 
 The writer hopes for a reply. 
 
 8th year, 5th moon, 17th day (June 26, 1869). 
 
 Inclosure 4 in No. 6. 
 Mr. Wade to the Minister Wen Siang. 
 
 Sir, Peking, June , 1871. 
 
 IN accordance with the promise 1 made your Excellency when I had the pleasure of 
 meeting you at the Yamen of Foreign Affairs a few days ago, I beg to submit to you some 
 observations on the papers relating to the missionary question which were forwarded me by 
 yourself and the President Shen on the 9th of February last. 
 
 It will be in your recollection that, when they were sent me, I made an effort to have 
 their circulation postponed until portions of them which seemed to me open to criticism 
 could be revised; and, in my note of the 11th February, I proposed to lay before you a 
 statement in writing of my views on the subject. I was engaged on a Memorandum to be 
 submitted to you when I received your subsequent note of the 13th, urging dispatch, as 
 you wished to address all the Legations at the same moment. I rode to the Yamen the 
 following afternoon for the purpose of tendering my explanations in person, but I was not 
 so fortunate as to see your Excellency ; and, on inquiry, I learned that the papers had 
 already been circulated the evening before. 
 
 I had been anxious to prevent their issue unrevised, for two reasons in particular : in 
 the first place, on account of the prominence given to the name of France and to the 
 Roman Catholic religion, which T thought might be offensive not only to France but to 
 other Powers whose nationals are also engaged in missionary enterprise in China ; in the 
 next place, because the review of the difficulties of the missionary question, more especially 
 in those parts which attempt an explanation of the Tien-tsin massacre is by no means 
 calculated to insure the Chinese Government that sympathy and support on the part of 
 foreign nations for which these papers are ostensibly an appeal. It was with no small 
 regret, therefore, that I found them in circulation ; and my silence up to the present time 
 must be attributed, among other reasons, in no small part to the discouragement I have 
 felt at discovering, in this instance, as so frequently before, that my advice, even when asked 
 for, has little chance of being attended to. 
 
 However, as your Excellency has once more expressed a wish to hear what I have to 
 say, I address myself to the task. 
 
 Reversing the order of the documents under review, I begin with the eight Articles 
 appended to the covering note. 
 
 Article 1 relates to the infant asylums. Protestant missionaries have not, to my 
 knowledge, established any such asylums, but I am assured that, in those of the Roman 
 Catholics, no objection is ever made to the visits of the parents or friends of an infant. 
 Many of these, at the same time, have neither friend nor parent. They are children who 
 have been abandoned by all. It would be difficult to find any one who would become 
 security for unfortunate outcasts who have been left by the wayside to die. 
 
 As I have above stated there are no Protestant asylums in China, and I have, of 
 course, some delicacy in expressing an opinion upon the expediency of this or that course 
 to be pursued by those not of my own persuasion ; but I shall concede that, as these 
 children are undoubtedly Chinese subjects, it is not unreasonable to require that a register 
 of the admissions should be kept for the inspection of the Chinese authorities; that 
 they should be free from time to time to visit the asylums ; and that the deaths of the 
 infants should in all cases be reported to the authorities. 
 
 Article 2 lays down that no Chinese woman should be admitted into the chapels, 
 and that female missionaries should be prohibited in China. 
 
15 
 
 v«r.»7'^®fl^l^^^.^°^^'^ force, it is alleged, produces an impression unfavourable to the 
 repute ot Christian women, and consequently discredits Christians altogether. 
 
 1 cannot imagine that any Government, Protestant or Romanist, will consent to the 
 exclusion of its female subjects from China, or that in the face of the various Treaties 
 allowing freedom to natives and foreigners to preach and practise Christianity, they will 
 attempt to interdict their female subjects any more than their male subjects from 
 imparting the truth they prize as professing Christians to others. 
 
 Confucius teaches that, while we are not to fail in the practice of virtue ourselves, we 
 are not either to weary in the correction of others, and this is surely not less the duty of 
 woman than of man. ^ 
 
 As to the question of decorum, your Excellency is evidently not aware, in the first 
 place, that during service Christian chapels, Protestant and Romanish alike, are open to 
 all, non-Christians as well as Christians, who will conduct themselves so as not to interrupt 
 the service ; that there are no doings in either that any outsider is not free to observe; 
 and that m the Romish places of worship in China the sexes, out of deference to Chinese 
 teeling on the subject, are generally, if not always separated. I have seen this with my 
 own eyes at Shanghae, and I believe that it is the rule in their chapels elsewhere. 
 
 Article 3 complains of the position arrogated by the missionaries in China in their 
 relations with the authorities of the land, and of various proceedings on their part which 
 irritate both authorities and people, in particular of their interference between the native 
 Christians and the law. The instances given of the offences complained of are not 
 numerous, and the venue is laid in the remote provinces of Kwei-chow and Sze-chuen. 
 The cases brought forward again only affect Roman CathoUcs. I am assured by the 
 Representative of France that although he considers it most desirable that the Romish 
 Bishops and their missionaries should have such access to the chief authorities of jurisdic- 
 tions as will enable them to represent any wrong done to their congregations in the 
 matter of religious freedom, the French Legation does not recognize the claim of the same 
 ecclesiastics to interfere between the Chinese Christian and his ofiicial in any question in 
 which the free exercise of his religion is not affected. 
 
 If, as it is alleged, foreign missionaries are in the habit of interposing in suits, civil 
 or criminal, or of forcing themselves, either in person or correspondence, upon the autho- 
 rities in a manner disrespectful or offensive, the remedy, it appears to me, is in the hands 
 of the latter. The authority outraged has but to complain to the nearest Consul, or, 
 through the Yamen, to the Legation of the country to which the missionary belongs. I 
 can, of course, answer for no Government but my own, but I am satisfied that Her Majesty's 
 Government would not uphold any British missionary either in an interference in suits, or 
 in the support of a Chinese in his opposition to the laws of China. 
 
 In the matter of subscriptions for public purposes, it seems to me that there may be 
 some confusion between the classes of contributions. His conversion to Christianity does 
 not, in the opinion of foreign Governments, in any way affect the Chinese proselyte's 
 subordination to the ofl5cers of his Government, or to the laws of the land. It will 
 certainly not be held to exempt him from taxation, But from certain contributions which 
 his fellow-countrymen impose upon themselves he cannot but be exempted, and the Chinese 
 Government is bound to secure his exemption, because, by Treaties with foreign Powers, 
 it has engaged to secure to any person practising or preaching Christianity within its domi- 
 nions the free exercise of his religion. The Chinese have faith in much that the Christian 
 does not believe in, and when they compel a Christian to take part in ceremonies condemned 
 by his religion, or to subscribe funds in aid of the celebration of such ceremonies, they are 
 interfering with the free exercise of his religion, and against such interference he is entitled 
 to the protection of the Chinese Government. 
 
 Take, for instance, the case of prayer for rain, difference of usage in respect of which 
 has been the occasion, as I am informed, of more than one misunderstanding between 
 Chinese Christians and non-Christians. Prayer for rain or for other blessings, or for rehef 
 from drought, or for other calamities, is not peculiar to China. But in England, where we 
 have Protestants, Romanists, Jews, and other persuasions, no one denomination is ever 
 allowed to compel another denomination to offer up prayers except in its own way, or to 
 subscribe funds except for the building of its own chapels, or the hquidation of expenses 
 required for the celebration of the ceremonies prescribed by its own ritual. And the same 
 tolerance is stipulated for on behalf of Chinese Christians, whether Greek, Romish, or 
 Protestant in the Treaties with foreign Powers. 
 
 Article 4 lays down that, where Chinese and foreigners live together, the law must be 
 impartially administered. This without doubt. But it further seems to imply that, in 
 cases of homicide, popular feeling will not be satisfied unless a life be given for a hfe. 
 
 Under English law this is by no means bo possible, as under the law of China. 
 [68| D 
 
16 
 
 Experience has shown that, in many cases, the latter will condemn a prisoner to death, 
 where the law of England would be satisfied by a penalty far less severe, if, indeed, it were 
 possible to punish the man at all. It is to be deplored that misunderstandings should 
 arise from a difference in our codes ; but I see no remedy for this until China shall see fit 
 to revise the process of investigation now common in her Courts. So long as evidence is 
 wrung from witnesses by torture, it is scarcely possible for the authorities of a foreign 
 Power to associate themselves with those of China in the trial of a criminal case ; and 
 unless the authorities of both nationalities are present, there will always he a suspicion of 
 unfairness on one side or the other. This difficulty surmounted, there would be none in 
 the way of providing a code of laws to affect mixed cases ; none, certainly, on the part of 
 England ; none, in my beHef, either, on the part of any other Power. 
 
 As to the complicity of persons other than those directly charged with an offence, and 
 by whom it can be shown that the latter were instigated to commit it, I do not see why 
 they should be allowed to escape either punishment or indemnity. But the charge of 
 investigation, again, is very differently understood by the Chinese and the foreigner ; and 
 on this point 1 equally despair of a better understanding until the international code before 
 suggested shall have been agreed to. 
 
 The Article closes with the remarkable proposition, that if a missionary protect a 
 Chinese wrong-doer against his authorities, he, the missionary, must be punished as the law 
 would punish the Chinese, or expelled the country. 
 
 I am at a loss to understand how any missionary can prevent the arrest of a Chinese 
 charged with an offence against the law. Should a missionary really attempt such inter- 
 vention, the proper course, as I have before observed, would be an immediate appeal to 
 the Consul or Minister of his nationality. 
 
 5. The passport question referred to in this Article, does not seem to me to need 
 any particular remark. The instances cited of exchange of passports, or confusion of the 
 names of persons holding them, are but two or three in all. I cannot think that when 
 mistakes of the kind do occur, the Legation concerned will be unable to furnish satisfac- 
 tory explanation, or that, if a passport were unduly obtained or transferred by any person, 
 missionary, or other, the authorities of his nation would refuse to take notice of it. I 
 should be glad to think that every question between China and foreign Powers could be as 
 easily disposed of. 
 
 In Article 6 it is proposed that no Chinese of bad character should be allowed to 
 embrace Christianity ; and instances are given of persons in the far-west provinces, who, 
 after entering the profession, continued to commit the gravest offences. If this be the 
 fact, why were the offenders not seized, and tried by the district authorities ? It is vain to 
 lay the blame of their inaction upon the few missionaries in their jurisdictions. They have 
 not hesitated on occasion to lay violent hands upon the missionaries themselves. In Kwei- 
 chow, only the year before last, three Romish missionaries were seized by the authorities, 
 and one of them died of the ill-treatment he received. I do not understand how the 
 power of the mandarins can be less over their own countrymen. 
 
 As to the exclusion of all but good men from the profession, the Christian religion, 
 as every Treaty sets forth, is for the teaching of men to become virtuous. Is it not then 
 the duty of its teachers, like the philosopher Mencius, to turn away none who desire to be 
 converted, " not to scan the past, neither to reject those who tender themselves ?" 
 
 If Chinese break the law once more, their profession as Christians will not screen 
 them from the penalty of the law ; and so with reference to registration, if the Chinese 
 Government chooses to oblige all its subjects professing Christianity to register themselves 
 in any special fashion, it has, no doubt, the power to do this. But I do not see that it 
 can expect the foreign missionary to become its registering officer, and while I do not see 
 either that by registration it would greatly further any legitimate object of good govern- 
 ment, it might expose itself to the suspicion that some action against Christians was 
 contemplated that would alarm the foreign Powers in relations with it. 
 
 The population of China was estimated before the Tae-ping rebelHon at some 
 400,000,000. It is alleged by some people that this total is now reduced by one-half. 
 Well, of the 200,000,000 that remain, there may be 500,000 of Christians, not more, of 
 whom certainly a large number are as well ordered and as well affected as any other 
 Chinese. I am at a loss to see that the Chinese Government would gain much by 
 insisting on a return which would very probably prove vexatious, and which, if it did, 
 would invite the remonstrance of all the Treaty Powers. 
 
 Article 7 prescribes the forms which should regulate intercourse between the 
 missionary and the authorities. Speaking for our own missionaries, I see no objection to 
 these. The British Government draws no distinction between the missionary and any 
 other of its non-official subjects, and by Articlg XI of the Treaty of Nanking, " ping " 
 
17 
 
 (representation) is the form in which subjects not holding official positions are required to 
 address the Chinese authorities. 
 
 . Article 8, and last, treats of the restoration of buildings formerly belonging to 
 
 This question, which arises out of the engagement contracted by the Chinese 
 Government in Article VI of the French Convention of the 25th October, 1860, affects 
 none but the Romanists, and it is one, the solution of which would seem to rest so 
 exclusively with the Government of France that I do not feel free to discuss it. I shall 
 only add, therefore, that if in this particular the Chinese Government finds its engagements 
 difficult to discharge, it should avail itself of the presence of its Minister in France to 
 obtain a relaxation of the conditions to which it agreed in 1860. 
 
 And this brings me to what I have so frequently pressed upon the Yam^n as the one 
 means of securing an escape from difficulty where a misunderstanding has commenced 
 between the Government of China and a foreign Government. It is quite impossible that 
 China should ever attain to a just appreciation of what foreign Powers expect of her, or that 
 she should insure from foreign Powers what she conceives due to her, until she have honestly 
 accepted the conditions of official intercourse which are the sole guarantees against inter- 
 national differences. The chief of these is an interchange of Representatives. I do not say 
 that it is a panacea for all evil ; but it is incontestable that without it wars would be of far 
 more frequent recurrence, and till China is represented in the West, I see no hope of 
 our ever having dpne with the incessant recriminations and bickerings between the Yam^n 
 and foreign Legations, by which the lives of Diplomatic Agents in Peking are made weary. 
 If China is wronged, she must make herself heard ; and, on the other hand, if she would 
 abstain from giving offence, she must learn what is passing in the world beyond her. 
 
 I shall add to this long commentary but two observations. In the opening of your 
 Excellency's note you remark that, in trade, there is little to object to. If this be so it is 
 matter of regret that so many commercial questions have to be referred from the ports to 
 Peking ; and that, even after reference, when settlement is obtained at all, months, if not 
 years, must first be allowed to elapse. 
 
 Foreign Governments will be by no means disposed to admit that our commercial 
 relations are all that they could desire. 
 
 Again, referring to the Tien-tsin massacre, your Excellency explains that it was the 
 result of the people's exasperation against Romanism ; and you express a fear lest, after 
 the severe punishment inflicted, and the ample indemnities awarded, Christians should be 
 emboldened to go greater lengths than heretofore in the direction which is unpopular. 
 
 1 have communicated to the Prince of Kung the expression of my Government's 
 dissatisfaction at the tardiness and incompleteness with which that fearful crime was 
 disposed of. I am persuaded that no foreign Government has thought otherwise of the 
 action of the Chinese Government ; and that, so far from sharing your Excellency's belief 
 in the encouragement of Christians to greater boldness, the evil for which all Powers alike 
 are on the watch, is the molestation of those who, it has been shown, can be molested with 
 so little risk of consequences to the aggressor. 
 
 It is vain to attempt to trace the evil deed to its authors ; to discover who primarily 
 commenced the agitation against the Romanists ; to whom it occurred, while not a child 
 was missing, to revive the horrible calumny that the Romanists were kidnapping children 
 for hatefiil purposes. It is sufficient for my present purpose to repeat what I had the 
 honour to observe to the Prince of Kung in my despatch of the 9th of July last, that the 
 Government is responsible for that ignorance of the people which alone can render possible 
 their perpetration of an act so barbarous upon a pretext so ridiculous ; and the fact that 
 the people's continuance in such darkness is due to a want of enlightenment on the part 
 of the Government, will not be held to excuse the Government when foreign life and 
 property are jeopardized by the simple people whom the Government is not wise enough 
 to teach. 
 
 (Compliments.) 
 " -^ ^ (Signed) THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Lord Lyons to Earl Granville, — (Received August 19.) 
 
 My Lord, ^«"*' August \S, 1871. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inclose a copy of a note with which, in obedience to the 
 instruction conveyed to me by your Lordship's despatch of the 11th instant, I have 
 transmitted to M. de Remusat a copy of the despatch which your Lordship proposes to 
 
18 
 
 address to Mr. Wade respecting the Circular of the Government of China on the subject 
 of religious missions in that country. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) LYONS. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 7. 
 Lord Lyons to M. de Remusat. 
 
 (Extract.) Paris, August 18, 1871. 
 
 HER Majesty's Government will always be ready to join the Government of France in 
 any representations which may conduce to the better regulation of the intercourse between 
 China and the Treaty Powers ; but, on the present occasion, it appears to them that, from 
 the different nature of the Treaty provisions, as affecting the position of Protestant and 
 Roman Cathohc missionaries in China, it would be better that each nation should return a 
 separate reply to the Circular ; and they propose to address a despatch to Mr. Wade. 
 
 Lord Lyons has the honour to transmit herewith to M. de Remusat a draft of the 
 proposed despatch to Mr. Wade, and at the same time, &c. 
 
 No. 8. 
 
 Mr. Petre to Earl Granville. — {Received August 21.) 
 
 My Lord, Berlin, August 19, 1871. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that I communicated yesterday to 
 M. de Thile the draft of the despatch which your Lordship proposes to address to 
 Mr. Wade respecting the Circular of the Chinese Government on the subject of Christian 
 missionaries in China. 
 
 I have &c. 
 (Signed) ' GEORGE PETRE. 
 
 No. 9. 
 
 Earl Granville to Mr. Wade. 
 
 Sir, Foreign Office, August 21, 1871- 
 
 HER Majesty's Government have hitherto abstained from offering any observations 
 upon the Circular of the Chinese Government on the subject of religious missions, of 
 which a translation has been communicated to them by the French Charg6 d'Affaires, in 
 the expectation that they might have received some Reports from you regarding it. As, 
 however, they learn from your telegraphic despatches that it will be some time before 
 they will be in possession of your views, they consider that they cannot allow this 
 important paper to remain longer unnoticed, and I have accordingly now to state to you 
 the impression which has been made by it upon Her Majesty's Government. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government must, in the first place, protest against the general 
 assertions contained in the Circular and accompanying regulations with regard to 
 missionary enterprise in China, no distinction being made between the proceedings of 
 missionaries over whom Her Majesty's Government have no control, and of the British 
 missionaries, for whose actions alone can Great Britain be held responsible. They must, 
 moreover, remark that, of the instances of alleged abuses cited, there is not one which is in 
 any way connected with any British missionary establishment. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government might accordingly have contented themselves with 
 replying to the Chinese Government that the Circular did not allege any complaints 
 against British subjects, and that they could not enter into a discussion of matters not 
 directly affecting the relations between Great Britain and China. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government do not, however, desire to lay too much stress upon this 
 point. They believe it to be the common interest and desire of all the Governments 
 having Treaties with China to co-operate with the Government of the Empire in main- 
 taining the relations between China and their respective countries on the most friendly 
 footing, and Her ]\Jajesty's Government will always be ready to consider any representa- 
 tions which the Government of China may have to offer v/ith that object. 
 
19 
 
 On the particular question to which the Circular relates, the policy and practice of 
 the Government of Great Britain have been unmistakable. They have uniformly declared, 
 and_ now repeat, that they do not claim to afford any species of protection to Chinese 
 Christians which may be construed as withdrawing them from their native allegiance, nor 
 do they desire to secure to British missionaries any privileges or immunities beyond those 
 granted by Treaty to other British subjects. 
 
 _ The Bishop of Victoria was requested to intimate this to the Protestant Missionary 
 Societies in the letter addressed to him by Mr. Hammond by the Earl of Clarendon's 
 direction on the 13th of November, 1869,* and to point out that they would "do well to 
 warn converts that although the Chinese Government may be bound by Treaty not to 
 persecute, on account of their conversion, Chinese subjects who may embrace Christianity, 
 there is no provision in the Treaty by which a claim can be made on behalf of converts for 
 exemption from the obligations of their natural allegiance, and from the jurisdiction of the 
 local authorities. Under the creed of their adoption, as under that of their birth, Chinese 
 converts to Christianity still owe obedience to the law of China, and if they assume to 
 set themselves above those laws, in reliance upon foreign protection, they must take the 
 consequence of their own indiscretion, for no British authority, at all events, can interfere 
 to save them." 
 
 On the other hand,Her Majesty's Government cannot forget that the free exercise of 
 the Christian religion in China is stipulated for by the Vlllth Article of the Treaty of the 
 20th June, 1858, which states that "the Christian religion, as professed by Protestants or 
 Roman Catholics, inculcates the practice of virtue, and teaches man to do as he would be 
 done by. Persons teaching or professing it, therefore, shall alike be entitled to the 
 protection of the Chinese authorities ; nor shall any such peaceably pursuing their calling, 
 and not offending against the laws, be persecuted or interfered with." Her Majesty's 
 Government, therefore, although they have given it to be most distinctly understood that 
 conversion to Christianity gives no title to British protection against the operation of the 
 laws of. the land, could not be indifferent to the persecution of Christians for professing 
 the Christian faith. 
 
 The impracticable nature of the Regulations proposed by the Chinese Government 
 has been so convincingly shown in the note from Mr. Low, the Representative of the 
 United States, to the Yamen, of the 20th of March last, that it is unnecessary for Her 
 Majesty's Government to do more than refer to some of the principal objections to their 
 acceptance. 
 
 The I st Regulation does not apply to the British Missionary Societies, as they do not 
 support any orphanages in China. Her Majesty's Government could not obviously accede 
 to Regulations which they had no power to enforce. If the missionaries of other countries 
 have conducted such institutions in a manner to give just cause of suspicion to the people 
 of China, Her Majesty's Government feel no doubt that, on a proper representation being 
 made of the facts, the cause of complaint will be removed ; but they cannot admit that 
 such an atrocious crime as the massacre at Tien-tsin can be excused by ascribing it to the 
 prejudices of the ignorant. 
 
 The 2nd Regulation requires that women ought no longer to enter the churches, nor 
 should Sisters of Charity Hve in China to teach religion. The objection to women 
 frequenting Christian churches has, Her Majesty's Government understand, been met at 
 Fatshan and elsewhere by a screen having been erected to divide the sexes. To prevent 
 women altogether from attending Divine worship would be in violation of the freedom of 
 religion provided in the Treaty, and would be contrary to the fundamental principles of 
 Christianity. As the Chinese Government are most probably aware that there are no 
 Sisters of Charity attached to the British Missionary Societies, but Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment could not countenance any Regulation which would cast a slur upon a sisterhood 
 whose blameless lives and noble acts of devotion in the cause of humanity are known 
 
 ^°"The 3rd and 4th Articles, as respects Chinese Christians, have already been dealt 
 with in the preceding part of this despatch ; but Her Majesty's Government cannot 
 allow the claim that the missionaries residing in China must conform to the laws and 
 customs of China to pass unchallenged. . • . , • i • • 
 
 It is the duty of a missionary, as of every other British subject, to avoid giving 
 offence as far as possible to the Chinese authorities or people, but he does not forfeit the 
 rights to which he is entitled under the Treaty as a British subject because of his 
 
 missionary c^ Article seems to be directed against French missionaries. The IXth Article 
 
 * Parliamentary Papers, "China, No. 9, 1870," p. 13. 
 
20 
 
 of the British Treaty contains provisions to prevent any abuses of passports borne by 
 British subjects ; and no passports are granted by British Diplomatic or Consular 
 authorities to persons not of British nationality. 
 
 In this Regulation, as in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th, mention is made of occurrences 
 in Sze-chuen. Her Majesty's Government have urged upon the Chinese Government the 
 expediency of their opening this province to foreign trade, and establishing a port there 
 it which foreign Consuls should reside. If the statements which have been made to the 
 Government of Peking with regard to the irregular proceedings of foreign missionaries 
 and their converts are well founded, the Chinese Government would do well to consider 
 whether the presence of foreign Consular authorities is not required to control the 
 improper or ill-directed exercise of the Treaty privileges conferred on their countrymen. 
 Her Majesty's Government believe that there are no British Protestant missionary establish- 
 ments in Sze-chuen, but it is impossible to prevent enterprising persons penetrating 
 through a country. Sooner or later they will find their way ; and the true interest of 
 China is to facilitate rather than to restrict the flow of foreign enterprise, and to direct it 
 in the manner most advantageous to that mutually beneficial commercial intercourse on 
 which the prosperity and happiness of nations so largely depend. 
 
 Besides showing, as Mr. Low has pointed out, a complete misconception of the nature 
 of the Christian religion, the 6th Regulation is open to the objection that, by constituting 
 the Christians in China a class separated from the rest of the population, it would lead to 
 the very evil of which it is the desire of the Chinese Government to get rid, as the 
 Christians would inevitably regard that separation as conferring on them privileges, for 
 the maintenance of which they must trust to the protection of the Powers in whose 
 Treaties with China the freedom of the Christian religion is provided for. 
 
 The 7th Regulation calls for no special observation. 
 
 The 8th Regulation does not apply to British missionaries, who have no ecclesiastical 
 property in China to reclaim, and seems to refer to misunderstandings with regard to the 
 operation of the Vlth Article of the Treaty with France of the 25th of October, 1860. 
 
 Her Majesty's Government trust that the Chinese Government will not suppose that, 
 in withholding their assent to these Regulations they are actuated by any other motive than 
 the wish to avoid embarrassing a question, already of sufficient difficulty, by cumbrous and 
 impracticable regulations. 
 
 The remedy for the alleged assumption by missionaries of a protective jurisdiction 
 over native Christians, which constitutes the gist of the accusations brought forward in 
 the Circular and Regulations, appears to Her Majesty's Government to be sufficiently 
 afforded by the Treaties. 
 
 If British missionaries behave improperly, they should "be handed over to the nearest 
 Consul for punishment," like other British subjects, as provided in the IXth Article of the 
 Treaty of Tien-tsin. If the local authorities consider that Her Majesty's Consuls do not 
 in any instance afford redress for their complaints, they can appeal through the Govern- 
 ment at Peking to Her Majesty's Minister, in the ordinary course of international usage- 
 Both Her Majesty's Minister and Consuls have extensive powers for maintaining the 
 peace, order, and good government of Her Majesty's subjects in China; and if those 
 powers should be proved to be inadequate, Her Majesty's Government would readily 
 increase them ; but until it can be proved that Her Majesty's Minister and Consuls are 
 unable to control Her Majesty's subjects in China by the exercise of the powers confided 
 to them. Her Majesty's Government must decline to supplement the existing Treaties by 
 regulations which, although only intended to deal with a particular class of British 
 subjects, would undoubtedly subject the whole British community in China, to a constant 
 interference in their intercourse with the native population of a most vexatious 
 description. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 (Signed) GRANVILLE. 
 
 No. 10. 
 Sir A. Buchanan to Earl Granville. — {Received August 28.) 
 
 My Lord, _ _ St. Petersburgh, August 23, 1871. 
 
 IN conformity with your Lordship's instructions conveyed to me in your Lordship's 
 despatch of the 10th instant, I have communicated to M. de Westmann the draft of an 
 instruction which your Lordship proposed to address to Her Majesty's Minister in China, 
 
21 
 
 in reply to the Circular of the Chinese Government, proposing to establish exceptional 
 Chinese Em^^^^^ *^^ proceedings and conduct of foreign missionaries visiting the 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) ANDREW BUCHANAN. 
 
 No. 11. 
 Mr. Petre to Earl Granville.— (Received August 28.) 
 
 ^^ ^^^nT7 rpTTTT T7 U ^^^^^' ^«^««^ 26, 1871. 
 
 *u ^ k f i J , requested me to thank your Lordship for the communication of 
 
 the dratt ot the despatch which you propose to address to Mr. Wade on the subject of 
 rehgious missions in China, and to inform you that the views of the German Government 
 on this question entirely coincide with those expressed in your Lordship's despatch. 
 
 The Prussian Minister at Peking will shortly arrive at Berlin, and the German 
 Government are anxious to hear his report and to consult with him before replying to the 
 Circular of the Chinese Government. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) GEORGE PETRE. 
 
 No. 12. 
 Earl Granville to Mr. Wade. 
 
 (Extract .) _ ^ Foreign Office, August 31,1871. 
 
 HER Majesty's Government approve the note, of which a copy was inclosed in your 
 despatch of the 8th of June, which you proposed to address to the Minister Wen Siang 
 in reply to the Circular of the Chinese Government upon the missionary question. 
 
 The draft of my despatch to you of the 21st instant on this subject had been com- 
 municated to the French, North German, Russian, and American Governments before 
 your despatch of the 8th of June had been received. 
 
 No. 13. 
 Mr. Wade to Earl Granville. — {Received September 2.) 
 
 My Lord, Peking, June 22, 1871. 
 
 IN my despatch of the 8th June I had the honour to forward your Lordship the 
 text of a note which I had prepared in answer to that of the Grand Secretary, W^n Siang, 
 upon the missionary question. When sending it in I added the inclosed postscript, which 
 speaks for itself. I am sorry to think that it should be necessary to recur so frequently to 
 so disagreeable a subject, but I had had a very long conversation with the Grand Secretary 
 while the note was being translated, upon this particular question and upon foreign policy 
 in general ; and his tendency throughout was undoubtedly to maintain, not exactly that 
 there was excuse for the massacre, but that foreigners have been far too hard in their judg- 
 ment of the action of the Chinese Government in relation to the massacre ; hence that 
 there is really no need for modification of the Treaties in force, or for a more careful 
 observance of them. 
 
 it is fair to add that, notwithstanding the tone assumed in debate, the Yam^n does 
 appear to be inculcating more prompt attention to the claims of foreigners at the ports, 
 and, to judge from the reports of the Romish missionaries residing inland, the Government 
 has certainly been more zealous of their security since the massacre than at any time for 
 some years past. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) THOMAS FRANCIS WADE. 
 
22 
 
 Inclosure in No. 13. 
 Mr. Wade to the Minister Wen Siang, 
 
 Postscript. 
 
 Peking, June 21, 1871. 
 THE foregoing paper was written many days since, but it has taken so long to 
 translate that ite transmission has been unavoidably postponed. 
 
 I avail myself of the delay to insist once more upon an important point in which, 
 I think, the Chinese Government appears likely to deceive itself — I mean the wide 
 difference between the impressions produced on native and foreigner by the Tien-tsin 
 massacre, its antecedent history, the atrocity itself, and the sequel. 
 
 No. 14. 
 
 Lord Lyons to Earl Granville. — (Received September 6.) 
 
 My Lord, Paris, September 5, 1871. 
 
 WITH reference to your Lordship's despatch of the 11th ultimo, and to my despatch 
 of the 18th ultimo, I have the honour to transmit to your Lordship a copy of a note or 
 memorandum which was sent to me by M. de Remusat the day before yesterday. It 
 contains observations on the draft of your Lordship's despatch to Mr. Wade respecting the 
 Chinese Circular concerning missionaries. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) LYONS. 
 
 Inclosure in No. 14. 
 M. de Remusat to Lord Lyons. 
 
 Versailles, le 31 Aoilt, 1871. 
 
 LE Ministre des Affaires Etranglres a regu la note que son Excellence M. I'Ambassa- 
 deur d'Angleterre lui a fait I'honneur de lui adresser le 18 de ce mois, et qui dtait accom- 
 pagnee d'un projet de depeche destinee h faire connaitre h M. Wade 1' opinion du Cabinet 
 de Londres au sujet du memorandum Chinois sur I'exercice de la religion en Chine. 
 
 II etait d'un interet particulier dans la pensee du Gouvernement Frangais que les 
 Puissances representees a Peking fussent unanimes k repousser la tentative du Gouvernement 
 Chinois de s'atfranchir des engagements qu'il a contractes, en cherchant dans de pretendus 
 abus la justification de r^gleraents nouveaux. Le Gouvernement Francais se felicite h ce 
 titre du sens dans lequel le Cabinet de Londres se propose de repondre au memorandum 
 Chinois, et il comprend parfaitement que la nature differente des clauses inserees dans les 
 Trait^s concernant la position des missionnaires Catholiques ou Protestants ait port6 le 
 Cabinet de Londres a considerer comme preferable a une demarche collective une reponse 
 individuelle de chacune des Puissances au document emanant des Ministres Chinois. 
 
 M. de Remusat a I'honneur de remercier Lord Lyons de la communication qu'il a bien 
 voulu lui faire, et il le prie d'agreer, &c. 
 
 (Translation.) 
 
 Versailles, August 31, 1871. 
 
 THE Minister for Foreign Affairs has received the note which his Excellency the 
 English Ambassador did him the honour to address to him on the 18th instant, and 
 which was accompanied by a draft destined to inform Mr. Wade of the opinion of the 
 Cabinet of London on the subject of the Chinese Memorandum on the exercise of religion 
 in China. 
 
 It was of special interest, in the opinion of the French Government, that the Powers 
 represented at Peking should be unanimous in repelling the attempt of the Chinese 
 Government to free itself from the engagements which it has contracted, by seeking in 
 pretended abuses justification for new regulations. The French Government, in this 
 respect, congratulate themselves at the sense in which the Cabinet of London propose to 
 reply to the Chinese Memorandum, and understand perfectly that the different nature of 
 the clauses inserted in the Treaties, with regard to the position of the Catholic or 
 Protestant missionaries, has led the Cabinet of London to consider a separate answer from 
 
23 
 
 each of the Powers to the document emanating from the Chinese Ministers as preferable 
 to collective action. 
 
 M. de R^musat has the honour to thank Lord Lyons for the communication he has 
 been good enough to make to him, and begs, &c. 
 
 No. 15. 
 
 General 8chenck to Earl Granville. — {Received November 29.) 
 
 Legation of the United States, London, 
 My Lord, Novemher 29, 1871. 
 
 UNDER instructions from the Secretary of State of the United States, I have the 
 honour to transmit, herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Government a copy of 
 a correspondence between Mr. Low, the Minister of the United States at Peking, and the 
 Department of State at Washington. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) ROBT. C. SCHENCK. 
 
 Inclosure No. 15. 
 
 Correspondence betioeen Mr. Low and the Foreign Department, Washington. 
 
 Mr. Low to Mr. Fish. 
 
 (No. 56.) Legation of the United States, Peking, 
 
 Sir, March 20, 1871. 
 
 IN my No. 52, of February 20, reference was made to a communication I had 
 received from the Foreign Office, in relation to the missionary question. I have now 
 the honour to inclose a translation of that document, together with my reply. The 
 Memorandum was drawn up by Wan Tsiang, one of the oldest and by far the ablest of all 
 the Chinese Ministers. He has had more to do with, and therefore understands better, 
 the actual relations of China with foreign nations, than any of his colleagues, and is, 1 
 feel sure, anxious to prevent disturbances that may lead to international troubles. That 
 he is sincere in his professed anxiety about the future, no one well acquainted with the 
 real condition of affairs here will question ; although it is not impossible that his fears are 
 overstated for the effect such declarations may exert upon the foreign legations, and thus 
 tend to bring about some kind of a compromise which will be useful in the future 
 management of the missionary matter. My opinion that these apprehensions of future 
 danger are genuine, and that this paper is not put forth at this time simply to try and 
 protect themselves against further demands that the French Government may make in the 
 Treaty revision which is soon to take place, is confirmed by the fact that about two years 
 ago, this same Chinese Minister addressed a private note of a similar character to the 
 British Minister. A copy of that note I have just now obtained, a translation of which 
 I beg to send herewith. The answer of Her Majesty's Jlinister to the note I am not 
 able to give, as it was made verbally and not in writing. A careful reading of the 
 Memorandum clearly proves that the great, if not only, cause of complaint against the 
 missionaries, comes from the action of the Roman CathoHc priests and the native 
 Christians of that faith ; although the rules proposed for the government of missionaries 
 apply equally to Protestants and Catholics. What reply to make, in view of the 
 complication of the question, and the circumstances with which it was surrounded, 
 did not seem quite clear. I would have preferred to have taken the President's instructions 
 before sending an answer, could they have been obtained within any reasonable time. 
 To simply acknowledge the receipt of their note, and say that instructions had 
 been asked for which would involve a delay of four or five months, and this delay would 
 perhaps raise a hope which could not be otherwise than illusive, that some at least of 
 their propositions would prove acceptable ; to reply and admit what I really believed to be 
 true, that the Chinese have some ground of complaint, without being able to suggest a 
 practicable remedy, would only do barm, and render the situation still more insecure ; to 
 simply say that, as their complaints are against the Roman Catholics, it is a matter which 
 concerns the French alone, with which other nations have nothing to do, would have the 
 effect to defeat what the other Treaty Powers have been anxious to bring about, viz., 
 that when the Chinese have difficulties with one foreign nation, which are likely to involve 
 [58 1 E 
 
24 
 
 all ia trouble, they should frankly state then* case to be judged by all;, and in this way 
 bring the force of an enlightened public opinion to bear upon the action of any 
 Government that attempts to oppress or deal unfairly. After carefully considering the 
 whole question in all its bearings, I de.eraed it ray duty to reply, without waiting for 
 specific instructions. This I have done at some length, reviewing somewhat in detail the 
 several points presented, reasserting the intention of the Government of the United 
 States to claim for all its citizens entire 'exemption from the operation of Chinese law, 
 and disclaiming any intention of screening natives from the obligations which they are 
 under to their own laws and officials, pointing out the impracticability of many of the 
 proposed rules, and suggesting personal discussion of this as well as of all other matters 
 of dispute. Had they stated their complaints in brief, without circumlocution, and 
 stripped of all useless verbiage, they would have charged that the Roman Catholic 
 missionaries, when residing away from the open ports, claim, to occupy a semi-official 
 position, which places them on an equality with the provincial officer ; that they deny the 
 authority of the Chinese officials over native Christians, which practically removes this 
 class from the jurisdiction of their own rulers ; that their action in this regard shields the 
 native Christians from t^he penalties of the law, and thus holds out inducements for the 
 lawless to join the Cathohc Church, which is largely taken advantage of; that orphan 
 asylums are filled with children, by the use of improper means, against the will of the 
 people ; and when parents, guardians, and friends visit these institutions for the purpose 
 of reclaiming children, their requests for examination and restitution are denied; and 
 lastlj'', that the French Government, while it does not claim for its missionaries any rights 
 of this nature by virtue of Treaty, its agents and reprsentatives wink at these unlawful 
 acts, and secretly uphold the missionaries. If the opinions of the Chinese officials could 
 be stated in a direct nnd courageous waj', instead of proposing rules for the governance 
 of missionaries, they would demand a revision of the Treaties by which the right of 
 exterritoriality would be withdrawn from missionaries when they go beyond the -places 
 open to trade where foreign Consuls reside. This is really what they mean, although 
 they do not state it specifically. 
 
 1 do not believe, and therefore I cannot affirm, that all the complaints made against 
 Catholic missionaries are founded in truth, reason, or justice ; at the same time, I 
 believe that there is foundation for some of their charges. My opinions, as expressed in 
 former despatches touching this matter, are confirmed by further investigation. But 
 while I see clearly the difficulties and dangers, candour compels me to say that the remedy 
 seems to lie outside and beyond the scope of affirmative diplomatic action. Neither will 
 sound policy, nor the moral and religious sentiments of Christian nations, sanction any 
 retrogression, although trade and commerce might be promoted thereby ; nor will the 
 dictates of humanity permit the renunciation of the right for all foreigners that they shall 
 be governed and punished by their own laws. But, while insisting firmly upon these 
 rights, all foreign Governments should see to it that no claim be made by their officers, 
 agents, or subjects, for the extension of their laws over the Chinese. They should also 
 see that their Treaties are honestly and fairly construed, claiming no rights which come of 
 fraud, and conceding nothing that a just construction will grant. That a strict non- 
 interference between native Christians and their rulers will subject the former to persecutions 
 is possible, and even probable ; but whether this course will not in the end subserve the 
 cause the missionaries are labouring to promote better than the opposite one, is the 
 question. I think it will. One has the sanction of Treaty and law; the other is in 
 violation of both. The remedy, so far as it lies in tlie power of foreign Governments, 
 is with France alone ; and it behoves that Power, for the sake of its own interests, as well 
 as for the welfare of all foreign residents, to remove all just causes of complaint of the 
 Chinese. Whether this can reasonably be expected depends upon the form and composition 
 of the new Government of France, and also upon the character of the Representative 
 which that Goverment may send here. 
 
 Trusting that my action as herein detailed may meet with the approval of the 
 President, I have, &c. 
 
 (Signed) FREDERICK F. LOW. 
 
25 
 
 (Inclosure 1.) 
 
 Wan Tsiang and Shin Kwei-fan to Mr. Low. 
 
 February 13, 1871. 
 °^'» ^ {Tungchi, 9th year, \2th moon, 24lh day). 
 
 IN relation to the missionary question, the members of the Foreign Office are 
 apprehensive lest, in their efforts to manage the various points connected with it, they shall 
 interrupt the good relations existing between this and other Governments, and have, 
 therefore, drawn up several rules upon the subject.* These are now inclosed, with an 
 explanatory Minute for your examination, and we hope that you will take them into careful 
 consideration. 
 
 His Excellency Frederick F. Low, 
 &c. &c. &c. 
 
 With compliments, &c. 
 (Signed) WAN TSIANG. 
 
 SHIN KWEI-FAN. 
 
 (Inclosure 2.) 
 
 Legation of the United Slates, Peking, 
 Gentlemen, " March 20, 1871. 
 
 I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 13th ultimo, to 
 which was appended a Memorandum setting forth somewhat in detail the causes of discon- 
 tent among the people, and their ill-will towards the missionaries, and appealing to the 
 Representatives of all the Treaty Powers to take the subject into consideration, with a view 
 of devising measures which will have a tendency to remove the difficulties and assure a 
 continuance of peace between China and foreign nations. To accomplish this, eight rules 
 are proposed by you for the better regulation of missionary enterprises. These rules have 
 been drawn up by you in consultation with all the members of the Foreign Office, and will, 
 if accepted and adopted by the western nations, in your opinion, remedy the evils com- 
 plained of. By way of illustrating your position, showing that foreign missionaries are 
 responsible for much of the ill-will of the Chinese, and proving that additional safeguards 
 are necessary to preserve peace, instances are cited of illegal and unwise action on the part 
 of the missionaries. 
 
 1 have read with attention all the papers you sent, and have given to their contents 
 the most careful consideration. 
 
 It is a noticeable fact, that among all the cases cited there does not appear to be one 
 in which Protestant missionaries are charged with violating Treaty, law, or custom. So far 
 as I can ascertain, your complaints are chiefly against the action and attitude of the mis- 
 sionaries of the Roman Catholic faith ; and, as these are under the exclusive protection and 
 control of the Government of France, I might with great propriety decline to discuss a 
 matter with which the Government of the United States has no direct interest or concern, 
 for the reason that none of its citizens are charged with violating Treaty or local law, and 
 thus causing trouble. But, fully appreciating the force and gravity of your observations 
 when you affirm that involved in this question are the interests of all foreign residents in 
 China, and upon its proper management and solution depend, in a greater or less degree, 
 the safety and well-being of all, whether merchants or missionaries, without regard to 
 nationality or religion, I feel justified in complying with your expressed desire, that all the 
 Representatives of the Treaty Powers will consult upon these grave questions, I shall, 
 therefore, with entire frankness, give you my opinions upon the several points raised by you. 
 
 I cordially reciprocate the sentiment when you say that it is the earnest desire of the 
 Prince and his associates to maintain peace between China and all foreign nations, and 
 entirely concur in the opinion that, when apprehensions of trouble arise, which may, if not 
 averted, impair friendly relations, it is the part of wisdom and prudence to state frankly the 
 disturbing causes, and, together with the foreign Representatives, discuss, with a view to 
 adoption, suitable measures for remedying the evils. Such discussions can do no harm, and 
 may lead to the best results. 
 
 Of the truth or justice of the complaints made to you by the provincial officers 
 against the Roman Catholic bishops and priest, the Undersigned cannot presume to judge. 
 It is, however, not impossible or hardly improbable that the local officials, who think that 
 their authority has been improperly resisted and themselves insulted, may have overstated 
 the discontent of the people, and have reported isolated cases of misconduct as the rule of 
 missionary action. 
 
 • See ante, Inclosure 2 in No. 6. 
 
 [58] F 
 
26 
 
 It is also a noteworthy fact, that substantially all the instances mentioned, where 
 trouble has occurred through the alleged evil piactices of the priests and Christians, are 
 confined to the provinces of Szechuen and Kweichau — ^provinces far remote from the resi- 
 dence of Consuls, merchants, and foreigners generally — which renders it difficult to obtain 
 evidence as to the actual facts, except from the principals and their adherents on either side. 
 
 In this view, it is unfortunate that merchants are not allowed to reside there, also, and 
 that these places are not open to the residence of foreign Consuls, who could look after 
 and arrange such difficulties as they arise ; and I would suggest that you take into careful 
 consideration what has so often been urged upon the attention of the Government, and. see 
 whether the opening of these disturbed districts to trade and the residence of foreign. 
 Consuls would not be the best means you could adopt to prevent missionary troubles. 
 
 But, conceding that the charges you make are substantially correct, and the troubles 
 as great as you represent, the remedy, it appears to me, is quite simple, requiring no extra- 
 ordinary rules or regulations. You say that the trouble arises chiefly from the illegal; acts 
 of the native Christians, and the attempt on the part of the missionaries /to shieW these 
 people from the just punishment for their crimes. In reply, I have to say that the Govern- 
 ment of the United States, while it claims to exercise, under and by virtue of the stipu- 
 lations of Treaty, the exclusive right of judging of the wrongful acts of its citizens resident 
 in China, and of punishing them when found guilty according to its own laws, does not 
 assume to claim or exercise any authority or control over the natives of China. This rule 
 applies equally to merchants and missionaries, and, so far as I know, all foreign Govern- 
 ments having Treaties with China adhere strictly to this rule. In case, however, mis- 
 sionaries see that native Christians are being persecuted by the local officials on account of 
 their religious opinions, in violation of the letter and spirit of the XXIXth Article .of :the 
 Treaty between the United States and China, it would be proper, and entirely in accord- 
 ance with the principles of humanity and the teachings of their. religion, to make respectful 
 representation of the facts in such cases to the local authorities direct, or through their 
 Diplomatic Representative to the Foreign Office ; for it cannot be presumed that the 
 Imperial Government would sanction any violation of Treaty engagement, or that the local 
 officials would allow persecutions for opinion's sake, when once the facts, are made known 
 to them. In doing this the missionaries should conform to Chinese custom and etiquette,: 
 so far as it can be done without assuming an attitude that would be humiliating and 
 degrading to themselves. 
 
 With reference to Rule 1, as proposed, the Undersigned is not prepared to speak. 
 The American missionaries have no establishments of the kind alluded to, and he cannot 
 assent to or dissent from a proposition which has for its object, the regulation and govern- 
 ment of asylums of a distinct religious sect, under the special protection of another nation. 
 He would, however, observe in this connection, that there are Roman Catholic orphan 
 asylums in all parts of the United States, over which the Government exercises no sur- 
 veillance or control ; and, instead of arousing suspicion and hatred,! these charities are so 
 well and favourably known that they merit praise and commendation, and receive contri- 
 butions for their support from both Government and people, irrespective of religious creed, 
 wherever they are located. It would, I think, be well for the' Government of China to 
 expend its energies in the more weighty concerns of Administration, and allow charities of 
 all kinds, which have for their object the amelioration of the condition of children or adults, 
 the largest freedom compatible with the safety and well-being of the people. 
 
 Rule 2 is without apparent reason and unjust. Among all western nations females 
 attend churches in common with the males, and their religious teachings conduce to the 
 highest good. Their attending church in company with parents, husbands, and friends, 
 should in no manner give rise to suspicions. On the contrary, their presence in such places 
 is a guarantee against illegal combinations or plots against the State or individuals. In 
 western lands it is considered of the highest importance that females be educated in litera- 
 ture and rehgion, so that they may be fitted to rear families who will become useful and 
 honest members of society. So fixed has this principle become in all Christian countries 
 that a proposition of this character will be regarded as an unfriendly interference, to prevent 
 the carrying into effect, in its proper sense. Article XXIX of the Treaty before alluded to. 
 I deeply regret that such a rule should have been proposed. Instead of being accepted by 
 the Treaty Powers, the mere mention of it will, I fear, cause some to doubt the good faith 
 of the Government and people of China in .their profession of a desire to observe all Treaty 
 stipulations. 
 
 Rules 3 and 4 appear to me entirely unnecessary. Missionaries have no right under 
 the Treaty to do the things complained of; hence any additional regulations to prevent 
 such acts are superfluous. 
 
 When native Christians offend, they are subject to, and under the control of, the laws 
 
27 
 
 and officials, of their, own country ; nor do I see how it is possible for the missionaries to 
 
 oppress the people in any way., In the United States every person is allowed the largest 
 
 hberty in the disqussion of all subjects pertaining to government or religion. In this wav 
 
 the people hear all sides, and are the better able to judge between the true and the false'. 
 
 If the Buddhist, Taoish, Confucian, and Christian faiths could all be explained without 
 
 hmdrance, the people will judge of the merits of each, and adhere to the one that seems to 
 
 .be the most reasonable and true. Each sect will find adherents and followers, but there 
 
 need not on this account arise ill-will, jealousy, or hatred between the followers of these 
 
 sects. It would be well, I think, for the Government to make further inquiries into the 
 
 customs of foreign nations, and see whether it would not promote a better understanding 
 
 .between natives and foreigners, without weakening the Government or lessening the 
 
 respect of the people for their rulers, if greater freedom were allowed in the worship of all 
 
 .religions, and the adherence to any sect the people choose without interference on the part 
 
 of the Government. 
 
 If native Christians are exempted from the payment of contributions for theatrical 
 plays and processions it shows a spirit of justice on the part of their rulers, and should in 
 no way cause them to evade the payment of their proportion of other proper taxes and 
 assessments, nor should missionaries uphold them in such acts. But foreign missionaries, 
 while it is their duty to refrain from any interference between natives and the officials, 
 except to explain cases when explanations will be of service to enable justice to be done, 
 and which the officials will, without doubt, always be glad to have if they are honest, 
 cannot be held subject to Chinese law, except in the way of arres-t and delivery to the 
 Consular officers of their own country, according to the rule laid down in the Treaties. In 
 the cases cited which occurred in Szchuen, where it is charged that the Christian culprit 
 ran away and evaded justice, the proper officers are, it seems to me, alone responsible for 
 all this. The missionaries had no right to shield, screen, or secrete these people, nor 
 - should they be censured if they refuse to act the part of police officers in the arrest of 
 Christians. This all belongs to the local officials to do. If the men were guilty, I fail to 
 see any good reason why they were not arrested and punished the same as Ho Tsai and 
 Liuh Fuh, if the officers had done their duty. 
 
 Rule 5 seems to me proper enough, except that portion authorizing a refusal of pass- 
 ports for provinces where rebellion may exist. If consented to, this might practically 
 nullify the whole passport system provided for in the Treaties. Missionaries will hardly 
 take the risk of going into districts where rebellion is rife; and if they do, on them will 
 fall the penalty of such rash acts. In the last ten years, during which passports have been 
 granted, no cases have been reported in which the holders have gone among rebels to aid 
 them in any way. 
 
 Rule 6. I fail to see what practical good would come from a registry of the members 
 of each church, were it assented to. It is not to be supposed that all enrolled as members 
 of the Buddhist, Taoish, Confucian, or Christian sects are pure and honest men ; nor 
 should the fact of their being so enrolled exempt them from arrest and punishment in case 
 they commit offences against the laws. 
 
 In the cases mentioned that happened in Kweichau in 1866 and 1869, instead of 
 making these a ground of general complaint to the Foreign Office, why did not the 
 Governor cause the arrest and punishment of the brigands ? Their profession of Christ- 
 ianity certainly did not exempt them from the just consequences of their evil deeds. It 
 would seem that the officers, instead of attending to their own proper duties in the admi- 
 nistration and due execution of the laws, chose to allow these people to escape for the 
 purpose of reporting these cases, and on them founding a general charge against Christ- 
 ianity and the missionaries. If lawless people, whether Christians or non- Christians, are 
 allowed to oppress the orphans and the helpless, deceive and exact from the villagers, and 
 assume improper , positions in the Courts, instead of listening to such complaints from 
 those whose duty it is to prevent and punish such outrages, the officials should, it seems to 
 me, be summarily deprived of their rank, and severely punished for allowing these things to 
 
 go on. 
 
 Rules 7 and 8. If the missionaries assume to exercise powers unauthorized by Treaty 
 and regulations, use seals, or adopt a style in addressing the officials in any way unbecoming, 
 the Representative of the Government to which they belong, upon a proper statement of 
 the facts, would'; issue, such ctrders as would prevent a repetition of such improprieties. 
 In case of any gross breach of etiquette by an American missionary, 1 should, upon the 
 fact being made known to me, take steps to pirevent such occurrences in the future. It is 
 the custom of the American missionaries to use caution when they go to a new place to 
 rent rooms or houses, aftdtbey-endeavour by. all means to so manage as to gain the good- 
 will of the people. 
 
28 
 
 Instances have occurred where they.haye been prevented from renting or buying 
 property for no other reason, apparently, than a disposition to embarrass and hinder them 
 in their preaching. Many cases of this kind have occurred which would have formed just 
 grounds for complaint to the Foreign Office. I have, however, refrained from making 
 complaints of this character, as I felt sure that, as soon as the real purposes of the 
 missionaries became better understood, there would be less and less opposition to them on 
 the part of the people. With reference to the restoration of property which was confis- 
 cated many years ago, and of the use of which its proper owners have been deprived, that 
 is a matter which concerns the missionaries of the Roman Catholic faith alone, and must 
 be arranged with the Representative of France. It is, perhaps, but natural that disputes 
 and difficulties should occur in the settlement of such a question. No fixed rule is possible 
 which will apply in all cases of this nature. Nothing but mutual forbearance, and a desire 
 to settle amicably, in a spirit of justice, these questions, will be likely to accomplish a satis- 
 factory result. The experience gained in the solution of these questions will, undoubtedly, 
 prove a useful lesson to both officials and people. It will clearly demonstrate that unjust 
 and unlawful persecutions and confiscations will require reparation sooner or later, and 
 prove that the best way to avoid the difficulties that have caused so much anxiety and 
 trouble during the past ten years is to act justly towards all people and all religious sects ; 
 then foreign nations will have no claims of this nature to urge. 
 
 To assure peace in the future, the people must be better informed of the purposes of 
 foreigners. They must be taught that merchants are engaged in trade which cannot but 
 be beneficial to both native and foreigner, and that missionaries seek only the welfare of 
 the people, and are engaged in no political plots or intrigues against the Government. 
 Whenever cases occur in which the missionaries overstep the bounds of decorum, or inter- 
 fere in matters with which they have no proper concern, let each case be reported promptly 
 to the Minister of the country to which it belongs. Such isolated instances should not 
 produce prejudice or engender hatred against those who observe their obligations, nor 
 should sweeping complaints be made against all on this account. Those from the United 
 States sincerely desire the reformation of those whom they teach, and to do this they urge 
 the examination of the Holy Scriptures, whgrein the great doctrines of the present and a 
 future state, and also the resurrection of the soul, are set forth, with the obligation of 
 repentance, belief in the Saviour, and the duties of man to himself and others. It is 
 owing, in a great degree, to the prevalence of a belief in the truth of the Scriptures that 
 Western nations have attained their power and prosperity. To enlighten the people is a 
 duty which the officials owe to the people, to foreigners, and themselves ; for if, in conse- 
 quence of ignorance, the people grow discontented, and insurrection and riots occur, and 
 the lives and property of foreigners are destroyed or imperilled, the Government cannnot 
 escape its responsibilitj-' for these unlawful acts. 
 
 If the danger is as great as the contents of your communication would appear to 
 indicate, and that, owing to the ignorance of the common people, all will be likely to 
 suffer, irrespective of nationality or religious belief, then it certainly is a matter of great 
 concern to all foreign Governments, which should lead them to consult and seek means to 
 prevent, if possible, such a catastrophe, and also adopt measures for defending their rights 
 under the several Treaties. 
 
 If I have failed to comprehend fully the difficulties and dangers which surround the 
 situation which you have endeavoured to point out, or if I have omitted noticing any 
 point of importance, I am quite ready and willing to meet you and the other members of 
 the Foreign Office, and discuss these as well as other questions of difference between your 
 country and foreign nations, in a spirit of forbearance, with an earnest desire to arrange 
 and settle all questions that peace and mutual confidence may long continue. 
 
 With renewed assurance of regard and consideration, I have, &c., 
 
 (Signed) FREDERICK F. LOW. 
 
 Their Excellencies Shin Kwei-fan and Wan Tsiang. 
 
 (Inclosure 3.) 
 
 Note from Wan Tsiang to Sir R. Alcock, June 26, 1869. 
 
 [See ante, Inclosure 3 in No. 6.] 
 
29 
 
 Mr, Davis to Mr. Low. 
 (No. 57.) 
 
 ^^'■' Department of State, Washington, October 19, 1871. 
 
 IHJii delay in answering your No. 56 has not been caused by a disposition to 
 disapprove of your reply to the Foreign Office note on the subject of missions. On the 
 contrary, the President regards it as wise and judicious. 
 
 Two versions of these regulations have found their wav to the Department— the 
 translation inclosed in your No. 56, and a translation, apparently made from a French 
 version, presented to the houses of Parliament in Great Britain, in June or July last, and 
 printed in British Blue Book entitled " China, No. 3, 1871." These versions differ widely 
 in form and expression, and, to some extent, in sense. 
 
 The version presented to Pai-liament has been or will be made the subject of instruc- 
 tions by Her Majesty's Government to Mr, Wade.* A copy of these proposed instructions 
 was communicated to this Department by Her Majesty's Charg^ at Washington in August 
 last. A copy is herewith inclosed, and also a copy of the version to which they relate. 
 
 The most material variance between the two versions is in the designation of the 
 missionaries against whom the Chinese Foreign Office complain. Your version limits the 
 complaints to missionaries of the Roman Church. The British translation, following the 
 French version, represents the complaints against " Christians." For instance, the British 
 version renders the beginning of the first Article or Rule as follows: "The Christians, 
 when they found an Orphanage, give no notice to the authorities, and appear to act with 
 mystery." Your translation of the same sentence reads, " The estabUshment of asylums 
 for training up children by the Romanists has hitherto not been reported to the authorities, 
 and, as these institutions are carefully kept private," &c., &c. From the English version 
 of the accompanying note from the Yamdn, it^ is evident that the Chinese Foreign Office 
 recognizes that there are in China Christian missionaries of different faiths ; for they say 
 that " the people in general, unaware of the difference which exists between Protestantism 
 and Catholicism, confound these two religions under this latter denomination." Your 
 version is to the same effect. 
 
 Under these circumstances it may be well to re-examine the original, and ascertain 
 which version is correct. Both, however, agree in the statement that the Government of 
 China is apprehensive of a popular outbreak which may endanger the peace of the country 
 and its relations with the United States and the European Powers, and that therefore it has 
 determined to submit to the Representatives of the foreign PdWers a plan for regulating the 
 condition of Christians in China. Your prompt and able answer to these propositions 
 leaves little to be said by the Department. 
 
 The rights of citizens of the United States in China are well defined by Treaty, So 
 long as they attend peaceably to their affairs they are to be placed on a common footing of 
 amity and good-will with subjects of China, and are to receive and enjoy for themselves, 
 and everything appertaining to them, protection and defence from all insults and injuries. 
 They have the right to reside at any of the ports open to foreign commerce, to rent houses 
 and places of business, or to build such upon sites which they have the right to hire. They 
 have secured to them the right to build churches and cemeteries, and they may teach or 
 worship in those churches without being harassed, persecuted, interfered with, or molested. 
 These are some of the rights which are expressly and in terms granted to the United 
 States, for their citizens, by the Treaty of 184i3. If I rightly apprehend the spirit of the 
 note of the Foreign Office, and of the regulations which accompany it, there is, to state it 
 in the least objectionable form, an apprehension in the Yamen thait it may become neces- 
 sary to curtail some of these rights, in consequence of the alleged conduct of French 
 missionaries. This idea cannot be entertained for one moment by the United States. 
 
 The President will see with deep regret any attempt to place a foreign ecclesiastic, as 
 such, on a different footing from other foreigners residing in China. It is a fundamental 
 principle in the United States that all persons, of every sect, faith, or race, are equal before 
 the law. They make no distinction in favour of any ecclesiastical organization. Prelates, 
 priests, and ministers can claim equal protection here, and enjoy equal rank in the eye of 
 the civil law. The United States ask no more in China than they confer at home. Should 
 the peace of the Empire be disturbed by efforts from any quarter to induce or compel the 
 Government to confer unusual civil rights on foreign ecclesiastics, you will make it plain 
 that the United States have no sympathy with such a movement, and regard it as outside 
 of the Treaty rights which have been conferred upon the western nations. Should these 
 demands, however, be complied with, this Government will then consider whether, under 
 the Thirtieth Article of the Treaty of 1858, a similar right will not at once inure to the 
 benefit of all the public officers, merchants, and citizens of the United States. 
 
 • See ante, No. 9. 
 
30 
 
 The President would look with equal regret upon any attempt to withdraw the native 
 Christians from the jurisdiction of the Emperor without his free consent, or to convert the 
 churches founded by the missionaries into asylums. He can well conceive that the enjoy- 
 ment of such a right might, as intimated by the Yam^n, operate for the nominal and 
 apparent conversion of desperadoes and criminals, who need a place of refuge to escape 
 from punishment. On the other hand, he is mindful that the faith of the Empire is pledged 
 to the United States that not only citizens of the United States, but Chinese converts, who 
 peaceably teach and practise the principles of Christianity, shall in no case be interfered 
 with or molested. He feels confident, therefore, and expects that whatever may be the 
 disposition of the turbulent and evil-disposed among the subjects of the Emperor, the 
 native converts to Christianity will enjoy the full measure of protection guaranteed to 
 them by the Treaty of 1858. Except so far as the guarantee of that Ti'eaty extends, the 
 President cannot permit the officials of the United States to participate in any attempt to 
 disturb the natural relations betw'een the Emperor and his Christian subjects. He particu- 
 larly desires it to be understood that the profession of the Christian faith is not regarded 
 by the officers of the United States as a protection against punishment for crime. 
 Ecclesiastical asylums for criminals have never existed in this country, nor will they be 
 planted elsewhere through its agency. 
 
 This Government has studiously and stedfastly observed its Treaty engagements with 
 China. The policy of the President and of his Administration was elaborately set forth in 
 the despatch of August 31, 1869, to Mr. Bancroft, a copy of which was inclosed in 
 Mr. Fish's No. 2 to you. The President has no reason to change that policy. On the 
 contrary, the events which have occurred since that despatch was written have the more 
 convinced him of its justice. We stand upon our Treaty rights ; we ask no more, we 
 expect no less. If other nations demand more, if they advance pretensions inconsistent 
 with the dignity of China as an independent Power, we are no parties to such acts. 
 Our influence, so far as it may be legitimately and peacefully exerted, will be used to 
 prevent such demands or pretensions, should there be serious reason to apprehend that 
 they will be put forth. We feel that the Government of the Emperor is actuated by friendly 
 feelings towards the United States. We recognize the existence, to a limited extent, of 
 the popular feeling and danger of outbreak which are set forth in the note of the Foreign 
 Office. As far as we can, consistently with the duty which the Government owes to those 
 who have the right to claim its protection, we desire to aid the Government of the Emperor 
 in calming that feeling and in preventing such outbreak. 
 
 Should other nations seek our advice, or counsel with us on this subject, we shall 
 not fail to urge these views. But, in order to urge them with success, we must be in a 
 position to say that the Chinese Government is able and anxious to perform all its inter- 
 national duties, whether founded upon Treaty or on well-settled principles of public 
 law. We could speak with still greater force if we could give an assurance that it is 
 disposed to enlarge its intercourse with the West, and to revise its Treaties in that 
 spirit. The guarantees for peace lie in this direction i-ather than in the revival of a 
 restrictive policy. 
 
 With these general principles stated, it is not necessary to refer in detail to the note 
 of the Foreign Office, or to the rules. Your reply to them has anticipated much that I 
 should have otherwise said. I content myself with saying that as no complaint is made 
 against the American missionaries, so there is no necessity to make such rules for their 
 observance. 
 
 A copy of these instructions will be sent to the various Treaty Powers. You will 
 communicate the substance of them to Prince Kung. 
 
 I am, &c; 
 (Signed) J. C. B. DAVIS, Acting Secretary. 
 
 Frederick F. Low, Esq. 
 
 Mr. Pakenham to Mr. Fish. 
 
 Sir, Washington, August 24, 1871. 
 
 IN compliance with instructions which I have received from Earl GranvillCj I have 
 the honour to transmit a copy of a draft of a despatch which Her Majesty's Government 
 propose to address to Mr. Wade, Her Majesty's Minister in China,* respecting the Circular 
 of the Chinese Government on the subject of religious missions in that empire. 
 
 I have, &c. 
 (Signed) F. J. PAKENHAM. 
 
 * See ante, No. 9. 
 
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