Papers Relating to Foreign Affairs, Accompanying the Annual Message of the President to the Second Session of the Thirty-ninth Congress

Mr. Williams to Mr. Seward

No. 40.]

Legation of The United States, Peking, August 18, 1866.

Sir: When Mr. Knight, the United States vice-consul at Niuchwang, reached this city on the 17th ultimo, he visited all the foreign ministers in order to explain to each of them personally the condition of affairs there, and the importance of securing protection for life and property from the bands of lawless ruffians who kept the country in terror, and had been implicated in the attack on him. They were gratified to have the clear account which he was able to give them. Taking for. my guide the propositions in Mr. Knight’s report given in my last despatch, I drew up the letter to Prince Kung, (enclosure A,) which my colleagues agreed to address to him separately, and send to him on the same day. Her Britannic Majesty ‘s minister directed his secretary of legation, Mr. Wade, to join me, as his deputy, in a visit to Wansiang, to whom the whole subject was presented in the clearest manner. Mr. Knight accompanied us, and described the attack on himself, and consequent proceedings of the officials, and proved their utter inability to resist the depredations and insolence of the sword-acks.

I have also the honor to enclose a copy of the prince’s reply, (enclosure B,) and I was told to-day that a body of five hundred foreign armed and drilled troops have been sent to Yingtsi, in accordance with its recommendations

There is one feature of this affair at Niuchwang which has not been at all apparent at any other port, viz: the planning of a deliberate attack on foreigners by native banditti, showing that they were conscious of the inability of their rulers to punish them for any assault they might make. The people have borne their exactions as best they could, and with surprising patience, but things there have reached such a pass, that the authorities are now likely to adopt measures to repress these ruffians, and our united representations will stimulate them.

The foreigners at Yingtsi habitually carry arms, which is unnecessary anywhere else in China, and the result of this first attack by the sword-racks will not encourage them to repeat it, while the ease with which Commander Townsend’s party arrested a number of them will deepen the impression. The arrival of the Wachusett was most opportune, and the terrified people showed their sense of the security she gave by relanding their goods and reopening their shops. Since she sailed no indications of an intention to revenge the death of the men who were killed have appeared, and the Chin criminals are still in prison. The military have also destroyed some houses belonging to the organization, which promises more active measures against it, and I understand that the English admiral will send a gunboat to winter there, to give additional security to the settlement, which contains altogether about seventy people.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

S. WELLS WILLIAMS Chargé d’Affaires.

Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.

A.

Mr. Williams to Prince Kung

Legation of the United States, Peking, July 20, 1866.

Sir: The United States consul at the port of Niuchwang has recently informed me that, in consequence of the lawless proceedings of bands of armed men, having their headquarters in Yingtsi, who have attacked foreigners and committed so many acts of violence that life and property of all classes are unsafe, and the commerce of the port paralyzed, it is imperative to take measures to remedy these evils and restore confidence to the inhabitants, &c., &c.

Your imperial highness is already aware of the existence of these armed bands, but their depredations have reached so great a height that delay is no longer possible. The circumstances are so imminent that I take the liberty to propose some plans which, if adopted, will do much to re-establish order and secure peace.

1. An officer of rank equal to a prefect should be appointed to reside at Yingtsi, with civil jurisdiction, who can manage all matters relating to foreigners and have control over the country for at least thirty miles around that town.

2. He should have the control of at least five hundred foreign, armed, disciplined troops to suppress these bands of lawless men, who now infest the town and adjacent country, and bring their leader to punishment, and also to seize the fire-arms which they have stored up to supply the men under their control.

3. The people should be forbidden to carry swords and arms when they go abroad. They have been obliged to do so by the lawlessness of the ruffians, but it tempts to acts of violence and causes general suspicion and alarm.

If these steps are immediately taken the increased revenue of the port derived from the larger trade will soon defray the outlay on the part of the imperial government, and restore quiet to all that region; but a longer delay will compel foreign nations to do something to obtain that security which his imperial Majesty is, by treaty, required to maintain.

I have the honor to be, sir, your imperial highness’s obedient servant,

S. WELLS WILLIAMS.

His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c., &c., &c.

B.

[Translation.]

Prince Kung to Mr. Williams

July 27, 1866, (Tungchi 5th year, 6th moon, 16th day.)

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith sends reply:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency’s despatch of the 20th instant, in which yon inform me respecting the disturbed state of Niuchwang and propose three plans for remedying the present evils, &c., &c.

In reply to this despatch it may be stated that, as the affairs growing out of the intercourse between natives and foreigners living at Niuchwang or Yingtsi, in the districts of Haiching and Kaiping, in the province of Liantung, were becoming very troublesome—for although these two districts are near each other and involved in the same events, they are still under different authorities—I memorialized the Throne last year and obtained permission to have sufficient powers granted to the collector of customs of the eastern district that he might consult with the local authorities of those districts and attend to and settle all complaints of robbery and loss of life, or litigation, and all cases arising out of the foreign trade.

Your other proposition to send drilled troops to Niuchwang has already been under careful consideration, but the matter shall again receive careful deliberation as to how the drilled troops may be increased in those places.

As to the other proposal in the despatch under reply, that fuller measures should be taken to repress and punish breaches of the peace in those districts, I have accordingly now sent particular orders to the local authorities to join with the collector of customs and give their earnest, undivided efforts to carry out all proper means, and not to stop till the brigands and robbers are exterminated. I have enjoined them not to begin vigorously, then end negligently, but so to act that my plans of protecting and guarding the people of those districts shall be effectual; and your excellency’s clear and wise suggestions to the same end shall be perfected.

The foreign office will devise immediate measures to preserve the peace in those quarters, and also to appoint suitable officers to govern them, with due regard to the efficient protection of every interest; and it is for the purpose of informing you of what has been done that the present reply is now sent.

His Excellency S. Wells Williams, United States Chargé d’Affaires.