Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 5, 1870
No. 230.
Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, in consequence of rumors of threatened violence by the Chinese, and a general belief that an organized attack would be made upon them on the 15th of the 8th moon, (September 10,) the missionaries residing at Tungchow, about forty miles from Chefoo, in the province of Shantung, determined to remove, with their families, to Chefoo for safety. The correspondence, copies of which I beg to inclose, will give you all the information that I possess.
The only direct, information is contained in the letter of the Rev. Mr. Capp; for the rest I am indebted to the courtesy of the British chargé [Page 384] d’affaires, who kindly allowed me to read and take copies of the report, with its inclosures, of the British acting consul at Chefoo. Up to the present moment I have heard nothing from the United States vice-consul.
I am quite free to admit that I was exceedingly vexed and mortified on learning that the services of British vessels had been sought to remove these people, when there was a United States gunboat at Tien-tsin that could have gone to their relief in three or four days; and also in being obliged to seek information as to what had been done through the British legation, when reports from the United States vice-consul should have been made to me without delay.
Were there an American resident at Chefoo who would accept the position, I should be strongly inclined to advise the summary removal of Mr. Holmes, and the appointment of a better man. Unfortunately there are no persons resident there fitted for the position who will accept it for the emoluments, and I suppose the reputation of the United States must continue to suffer from such representatives as the vice-consul at Chefoo.
Prior to the receipt of the news of their removal, the missionaries had made no complaint, nor had I heard from them or the vice-consul at Chefoo that any trouble was apprehended. From all that I am able to learn I cannot but think the missionaries were unduly alarmed and their action precipitate; at the same time the public mind is so much excited by rumors, the truth of which is so difficult to ascertain from the Chinese, that even the coolest and most courageous among the foreigners are liable to over-estimate the danger, and adopt measures for protection which they afterward ascertain were unnecessary.
In reply to Mr. Capp’s letter to me, I have advised them to return as soon as they can feel any safety in so doing; and, as it would have a good moral effect, I shall try to have them go back on one of our vessels of war. The Monocacy is expected at Chefoo shortly—as soon, probably, as they will be ready.
I have written a strong note to the prince, informing him of the unsettled state of affairs at Tungchow, and asking him to take measures for the protection of foreign residents; and have improved the occasion to review the Tien-tsin affair, charging the troubles elsewhere to the evil effects of the news of the riot. No answer has been received as yet. As soon as a reply comes I will send you a copy of my note and the prince’s response.
The proclamations of the local officials at Tungchow are timely, strongly put, and, I hope, will do good.
Acting Consul Mayers, in his report to the British chargé d’affaires, expresses my views so well concerning this whole affair that I quote from his report:
The resident missionaries are, it may be presumed, the best judges with regard to the steps it behooved them to take in view of their feeling of insecurity and the known faithlessness of Chinese officials, but I cannot repress a feeling of regret that so much encouragement has been given to the anti-foreign party as the withdrawal from Tungchow will, I conceive, result in. I am apprehensive that their departure will not only produce a profound impression locally, but, being reported and exaggerated in distant parts of the country, may be expected to embolden the hostile spirit which appears to have grown up of late.
If the Chinese find that the missionaries can be induced to abandon their posts of duty by threats of violence, they will, very soon, constitute a repulsed army retreating in the face of the enemy.
Hon. Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State.
[Inclosures.]
A.—Letter of E. P. Capp to Frederick F. Low.
B.—Letter of J. L. Nevins to S. A. Holmes, vice-consul.
C.—Report of British acting consul to charge.
D.—Vice-consul Holmes to Admiral Kellett.
E.—Admiral Kellett to Vice-consul Holmes.
F.—S. A. Holmes to Sir Henry Kellett.
G.—Admiral Kellett to S. A. Holmes.
H.—C. W. Matter to Mr. Holwill, Chefoo.
I.—Frederick F. Low to Edward P. Capp and others.
J.—Frederick F. Low to Thomas Francis Wade.
K.—Proclamation of prefect of Tungchow.
L.—Proclamation of chief military mandarin of Tungchow.
A.
Sir: Permit us to submit to your consideration the following: At Tungchow, in the province of Shautung, the reports that had been circulating for months of an intended attack upon the foreigners residing there and the natives attached to them, became so definite and apparently well-founded that we could no longer ignore them.
At a meeting of the foreign community, who are all American citizens, held August 29, it was decided that we should temporarily leave the place. We accordingly addressed a note (a copy of which, marked A, we inclose) to Mr. Holmes, the American consul at Chefoo. In the absence of an American gun-boat he made application to his excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett. K. C. B., her Britannic Majesty’s naval, commander-in-chief, who, with great kindness, sent the Barossa and the Grasshopper to our assistance, and secured our safe departure on Thursday, September 1st, instant.
We have written to Sir Henry Kellett the note a copy of which, marked B, we inclose, in acknowledgment of his kindness.
Before our departure, in interviews with the local officers, we could obtain no guarantee for the safety of our lives and property.
Within twenty-four hours, however, after our arrival at Chefoo, the Chi-hien (district magistrate) of Tungchow reported the fact of our leaving to the Tao-tai at Chefoo, who, in a communication to the American consul, deprecates our departure, and cordially invites our immediate return.
We beg leave to bring these statements to your notice, and would consider it a great favor if you will kindly give us your judgment as to the course of conduct proper for us to pursue under the circumstances.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
His Excellency Frederick F. Low, American Minister, Pekin.
B.
Dear Sir: I am requested, by a unanimous vote of the American residents here to write to you on their behalf to request you to obtain a steamer, a gunboat if possible, to come to Tungchow Thursday morning of this week to remove us from this place. The reason for this action I will give below.
We have credible grounds for believing that official communications were received here some time back from Tsing-quo-fan, and from the governor of the province, calling upon the authorities and the people to make arrangements for massacring foreigners generally some time this fall. It is believed here that Chi-hien, and the principal military officers who were summoned to the provincial capital some weeks ago, went for the express purpose of being instructed as to what they should do with us, and as to the preparation they should make for defending the city in case of war.
The Chi-hien came back from Chi-naw-foo last week, went on to Chefoo immediately to communicate with the Taotai, and has returned to Tungchow. The chief military mandarin of this city is expected here three days hence, and it is said that he is bringing [Page 386] 2,000 soldiers with hire. Some reportsstate that in the event [of the punishment] of the Chinese in Tient-sin, they will take their revenge on us here—others, that they will hold ns as hostages.
We hear that a very large military force is being collected in Chi-naw-foo. There is a great deal of excitement here again, and since the return of the Chi-hien the principal men of the city are holding frequent conferences with the officers.
We have learned from independent sources that the people are divided—some of them opposing any movement against us, and some of them favoring it. The people generally expect that an attack will be made upon us on the 16th of the present Chinese month. We have received intelligence from our native Christians in Ping-tai and Lai-yung, confirming these reports. Chinese connected with us are urged by their Mends to get away from us by all means before the 15th, and there is reason to anticipate that they may be obliged to do so in order to save their lives, if we remain here longer. It is very probable that it will be impossible to leave Tungchow if we delay long. We think that even now we would find it difficult in getting away by the ordinary modes of travel. I might refer to other rumors had I time and were it necessary.
It is with great reluctance that we have determined to send you this communication, but under the circumstances we think the risk too great to remain longer. Our plan is to leave our houses in the care of the officers. We would be glad to have you come as an official representative in communicating with them. We will be ready to leave early Thursday morning. If no gunboat or steamer can be obtained we would be greatly obliged if Mr. Mayers will fulfill the promise he has already made, to come to us in his boat. Perhaps two boats would be required. There are here five gentlemen, five ladies, and eight children, and we would like to take with us a few Chinese.
If a steamer cannot come to us on Thursday, please communicate with us at the earliest moment by special post.
I am, sir, on behalf of the American residents here, yours, truly,
S. A. Holmes, Esq., United States Consul.
C.
Sir: I have the honor to report to you that on the application of Mr. Holmes, the United States vice-consul at this port, the American missionaries residing at Tungchow, forty miles distant from Che Foo, were yesterday removed hither by her Majesty’s ships Barossa and Grasshopper, at the urgent request of the missionaries themselves.
I received a note late in the evening of Tuesday, the 30th August, from Mr. Holmes, who inclosed to me a letter he had received from Tungchow, and intimated his intention of soliciting assistance on the following morning from Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett.
Correspondence took place on the 31st between Mr. Holmes and the admiral, who subsequently furnished me with copies of the four letters mutually exchanged, transcripts of which I now inclose for your information.
Having been requested by Admiral Kellett to call on the United States vice-consul after the receipt of his first letter, I found Mr. Holmes apparently sharing my own opinion, that the apprehensions of the missionaries of official designs against them were exaggerated and based on insufficient information, although excusable, doubtless, in view of their exposed position, the prevailing popular excitement, and the anti-foreign spirit evoked by the massacre at Tien-tsin. The reasons given by the missionaries for deciding on immediate removal are set forth in the letter from Mr. Nevins, which is annexed to Mr. Holmes’s first letter to the admiral, in addition to which Mr. Holmes further supplied me with a letter written at the same time by the Rev. Mr. Capp to Mr. Corbett of this place, a copy of which I also inclose herewith.
After seeing Sir Henry Kellett, I called, at his request, upon the Taotai, whom I sounded in the course of the conversation, with reference to the affairs at Tungchow. He professed surprise on hearing that the missionaries were again disturbed by rumors of hostile designs, which he treated with ridicule, and begged me to take notice that he held himself personally responsible for complete security of the missionaries. I expressed my satisfaction on hearing these assurances from his lips, coupled with the further undertaking which he volunteered, to write at once to his subordinates at Tungchow to take measures for checking the spread of idle reports, and for assuring the safety of the foreign denizens of the town. I did not think it expedient to make known to him that they contemplated immediate removal, as I was still uncertain whether this would actually take place. I communicated to Mr. Holmes the result of nay interview with the Taotai. In the course of the day further letters came in from Tungchow, announcing the fixed determination of the missionaries to leave the place at once, and expressing continued alarm. I am permitted by Mr. Holwill, of the customs, [Page 387] to whom one of these letters is addressed, to forward a copy to you, and I inclose the same herewith.
Mr. Holmes thereupon addressed a positive application to Admiral Kellett for the immediate dispatch of a vessel of war, and the corvette Barrossa and gunboat Grasshopper were accordingly ordered to proceed at daylight on the following morning to render assistance as requested. Sir Henry Kellett being desirous that an interpreter should accompany the commanding officer, to assist him in communication if necessary with boat people or others near the vessels, I directed Mr. Lolbe to proceed on this service, with instructions, copy of which I inclose. The two vessels reached Tungchow at about 11 a. m., and the embarcation of the missionaries and their families was completed by 3 p. m., without any difficulty or molestation on the part of the people. The number brought away consisted of three men, five women, and five children, two of the missionaries remaining behind to arrange, if possible, with the local officials respecting the safe custody of their houses and property.
The Rev. Mr. Nevins called upon me this morning, and explained to me at some length the reasons which had actuated himself and his colleagues in retiring from Tungchow. Without giving credence to the numerous reports of malignant intentions toward the missionaries and foreigners generally, which emanated, they are informed, from the governor of the province, they nevertheless thought their position so insecure as to leave them no option but to abandon it. The circumstance giving the greatest cause for alarm, among the multitude of minor incidents, was the reported approach of a reinforcement of 2,000 men to the garrison of Tungchow, who were said to be marching from the provincial capital.
It appears to have been openly stated throughout the city that the foreigners would be murdered on the 10th of this month, (the 15th of the 8th moon,) and it was thought that the constant repetition of such a prediction, unhindered by the presence of any protective force, might work its own fulfillment, through the excitement of the masses, even if no such sinister design originally existed.
The resident missionaries are, it may be presumed, the best judges with regard to the steps it behooves them to take in view of their feeling of insecurity and the known faithlessness of the Chinese officials, but I cannot repress a feeling of regret that so much encouragement should have been given to the anti-foreign party as this withdrawal from Tungchow will, I conceive, result in. I am apprehensive that their departure will not only produce a profound impression locally, but, being reported in an exaggerated form in distant parts of the country, may be expected to embolden the hostile spirit which appears to have grown up of late.
Your obedient servant,
Thomas Francis Wade, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires, Pekin.
D.
Sir: I have the honor to hand you herewith, for your perusal, a letter just received from Rev. J. L. Nevins, D. D., residing at Tungchow, which will explain itself.
The news from there being of rather an alarming character, and the people deeming it unsafe to remain there longer in the absence of an American man-of-war, if it would not be asking too much, may I request that your excellency will be kind enough to allow a gunboat to go to their assistance, providing you consider it necessary. The residents there, eighteen in number, men, women, and children, have made arrangements, according to the letter herewith, to leave to-morrow, the 1st September.
I am, sir, &c., &c.,
His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett, &c., &c.
E.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of this date, inclosing a letter from the Rev. Dr. Nevins, of Tungchow, representing that in consequence of certain alarming reports the American missionaries are desirous of removing [Page 388] themselves and their families to Che Foo, and requesting that if I consider it necessary, as there is no United States vessel of war present, I will send an English gunboat to bring them away.
In reply, I beg to point out to you that you, as the United States consul, are the proper person to decide as to the necessity, on the evidence before you, of removing the American citizens, but I need not assure you that if I receive any requisition from you to afford succor to them I would immediately comply with it if able.
Just at this moment, the only suitable vessel, the Grasshopper gunboat, is under repair and unfit for sea; but I have reason to believe that if, on reflection, you consider that assistance should be sent to Dr. Nevins and his colleagues, an application made to the proper authorities will result in the dispatch of the Chinese gunboat, now in harbor, to Tungchow to bring them away.
My information leads to the opinion that the apprehensions of the missionaries are greater than necessary, and it is worth bearing in mind that their withdrawal simultaneously from Tungchow, which is not a treaty port, and forsaking their houses and property, will probably give them much embarrassment in the future, as opposition will certainly be actively made to their return by the anti-foreign party.
I have, &c.,
S. A. Holmes, Esq., United States Vice-Consul, Che Foo.
F.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your dispatch in reply to mine of to-day, regarding the removal of the American missionaries from Tungchow, and for which I am under many obligations.
Since receiving your dispatch I have received other letters from the missionaries at Tungchow, and as they have all decided that it is dangerous to remain longer, and have decided to come away immediately, I deem it necessary, from their statements, that succor should be sent to enable them to get away; therefore, as the representative of a friendly power, and in the absence of American vessels, if it is not asking too much of your excellency, may I respectfully request that you will be kind enough to have a gunboat or other vessel sent to their relief, and on behalf of the American Government and the missionaries at Tungchow I shall consider it a very great favor.
I have, &c., &c.,
Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett, K. C. B., &c., &c., &c.
G.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your second dispatch of this date, in which you still desire I will send a vessel to bring away American missionaries from Tungchow, and in reply I beg to inform you that I find her Majesty’s gunboat Grasshopper can be made ready for sea by to-morrow morning, and will proceed on this service at daylight. On arrival at Tungchow she will anchor off the town, hoist her ensign at the masthead, and be prepared to receive any American citizens and their families, and their servants, but no other persons. The commander of the gunboat will not land, nor send the boats on shore, and I request you will have the goodness to send a dispatch to Dr. Nevins by the Grasshopper, impressing upon him the urgent necessity of the embarkation taking place without delay.
I have, &c.,
S. A. Holmes, Esq., United States Consul, Che Foo.
H.
Copy of a private letter from Rev. C. W. Mateer, of Tungchow, to Mr. Holwill, Che Foo.
Dear, Holwill: You will, no doubt, have learned before this reaches you that we are getting scared up in Tungchow. I have not time to write you the particulars. They have been written in full to the American consul. I am still, however, inclined to think that we are worse scared than hurt. I believe there is danger; but I doubt if it is great enough to justify us in leaving. I have expressed my views to the others, but they carry it against me, and of course I must act with the rest. I do not think I am less sensible of the danger than the rest; but I am willing to run greater risks for the sake of the interests that are at stake. I have not yet made up my mind to go with the rest; but, of course, I cannot tell till the time cornels. It is possible that the knowledge of the fact that we are “mobilizing” may develop things that we are not looking for. I hope that the steamer that comes will be prepared to stay at least one day, as it will be impossible for us to settle upon affairs with the mandarins (conveying our houses to them) in less than at least one day. I have never taken a step in my life that goes so against every principle of my nature. It is certainly the greatest trial I ever met with. To know what it costs to leave here one must have lived here for seven years, and labored as I have. I am most disturbed for our school. I fear the disbanding of it will be disastrous. I can only say God’s will be done. It may be wise for us to leave, and it may be a piece of folly. I wish others could have been persuaded to wait for a little more light. Pray for us that we may be guided aright and preserved from all evil.
Yours fraternally,
I.
Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your note of 20th instant, informing me of the withdrawal of all the Protestant missionaries from Tungchow, and inclosing a copy of Rev. Mr. Nevins’s letter to the United States vice-consul at Che Foo, giving the reasons for this action. With these came also a copy of your note to Admiral Kellett, thanking him for his humane and generous action, in sending vessels to your relief.
In your note you refer to the “reports that had been circulating for months of an intended attack,” and speak of interviews between the missionaries and the local officials prior to the departure of the former, in which they failed to obtain any guarantee for the safety of their lives and property. You also state that soon after your arrival in Che Foo, the United States vice-consul received a communication from the Taotai, in which he deprecated your departure and requested your immediate return to Tung-chow. You close by asking my judgment as to your future course, in view of all these considerations.
In reply, I have to say that prior to the receipt of your note, I had no intimation of apprehended trouble at Tungchow. If the reports referred to had been in circulation for months, it would seem that some information should have been given to the vice-consul at Che Foo or to me. If you did make any communication to the vice-consul upon the subject, he failed to apprise me of the fact.
I regret that your appeals to the local officers for protection were not made in writing, so I might have some tangible evidence of their culpability in not affording protection, on which to base a complaint to the authorities in Pekin. As it is, I have sent a strong note to Prince Kung concerning this matter, and have improved the occasion to point out the causes which led to this unhappy state of affairs, and impressed upon him the necessity of prompt action on the part of the government in order to avoid consequences that may be disastrous. As yet no reply has been received, but I hear unofficially that stringent orders went immediately to the provincial authorities in Shan-tung, which will, I hope, have a good effect.
Without pretending to question the propriety of your course in view of the danger which appeared to surround you, and conceding that you ought to be able to judge better of the value of the reports than I possibly can at this distance, I cannot repress a feeling of keen regret that you felt compelled to abandon, even temporarily, afield that had cost such a struggle to win, and that your action will be likely to strengthen the anti-foreign feeling—not only in Tungchow but in other places, and render the residence of missionaries in China more uncomfortable than it has been hitherto.
My opinion is that the male members of your mission should return at the earliest moment they can get a reasonable assurance of safety, and as you were taken away in a vessel of war, I desire very much that you shall return in a United States vessel, when [Page 390] yon go. I expect one or more of the fleet will be at Che Foo shortly, and as soon as I hear of the arrival of any, I shall ask that you be returned to your post of duty under the protection of your country’s flag, should you so desire.
If one of our vessels should come, and not be likely to remain long enough to communicate with me, you are at liberty to read this letter to the commanding officer, and ask, in my name, the services of his vessel for the purpose indicated above.
I hope to hear soon that active and honest measures are being taken by the officials for your protection, and that you are all safely back again in your field of labor.
Your obedient servant,
Rev. Edward P. Capp and others, Che Foo.
J.
Sir: I am in receipt of information to the effect that, in consequence of reports of an intended attack by the Chinese upon the American Protestant missionaries at Tungchow, in the province of Shan-tung, and the usual land communication being considered unsafe, application was made to the United States vice-consul at Che Foo for relief, to enable them to reach a place of safety. In the absence of a United States vessel of war at Chee Foo, the vice-consul made application to Sir Henry Kellett, K. C. B., commanding her Majesty’s naval forces in these waters, to afford the necessary relief.
With a generosity and promptitude characteristic of her Majesty’s naval officers, Admiral Kellett dispatched two vessels, the Barrossa and Grasshopper, on the 1st instant, to Tungchow, and took away the missionaries and their families, and landed them safely at Chee Foo.
In the name of the Government of the United States, and on behalf of the people who were relieved, I beg most respectfully to tender to you, and through you to Admiral Kellett, my grateful acknowledgments for this humane and generous action. I shall improve an early opportunity to lay the facts before my Government, and I would feel obliged if you would make them known to her Majesty’s government also.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Thomas Francis Wade, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires, Pekin.
K.
Proclamation by the prefect of Tungchow, in Shan-tung, to which all are to give earnest heed. Issued September 2, 1870.
It appears that in consequence of the flagitious conduct of lawless men at Tien-tsin, bewitching and carrying off children, in which they implicated the Roman Catholics there, many people have suspected that a quarrel would grow out of it, and have fomented disturbance. In consequence, every kind of wild rumor has spread from thence through the land, which has incited reckless loafers to hatch trouble and fan suspicions, particularly saying that all foreigners are to be killed. These falsehoods have disturbed foreigners, [dwelling here,] and led them to suspend their work, and rapidly move away from the place to avoid danger, their converts also laboring under the same erroneous views. Such men, like unscrupulous rascals, cannot be suffered for a single day, and it is hard to imagine what object they can have in getting up these suspicions to breed trouble. I have sent policemen here and there to secretly ascertain who they are and seize them, and I also now issue this proclamation for general information, and call on all, soldiers and people, to fully observe its orders. Hereafter, let each of you carefully attend to his own business, and neither start nor give heed to idle canards, calculated to excite trouble and bring misfortune on yourselves, If any dare disobey this, they shall be summarily seized, and the lives of themselves and families immediately pay the penalty. They will then have no place for repentance.
L.
Proclamation by Fu, brevet colonel of the middle brigade at Tungchow, &c., strictly prohibiting the circulation of rumors. Issued September 2, 1870.
It is well known that English and American missionaries have lived in this city many years, engaged day and night in disseminating and explaining the holy religion of [Page 391] Jesus, and urging men to be good. Recently certain fellows among the soldiers and people have been talking wildly about the affair at Tien-tsin, blabbing this and that strange story, which is nothing less than to utter seditious rumors for the purpose of exciting suspicion and change. Such men, like reckless villains, are only on the lookout for a chance to take advantage of some trouble to rob and sack; they are all out of the pale of law, and excite everybody’s indignation.
I have secretly sent out men who are ordered to inquire for and seize any one found doing these things, and I further now issue this plain proclamation for the general information of all classes of people. Hereafter let every one contentedly attend to his own affairs, and give no heed to the wild talk about affairs between natives and foreigners. Whoever is found violating this command will be tried in this court, and I shall ask the higher officers to have him executed by martial law. No leniency will be shown, and let no one, therefore, say he has not been warned, but let every one give careful heed to this special proclamation.