I hope that its purpose, scope, and temper will meet your approval.
[Inclosure.]
Circular-letter of Mr. Seward to United States Consuls in
China.
Hong-Kong
,
March 3,
1876.
Sir: Upon assuming the duties of the
ministership, I find that a majority of the grievances coming to me for
representation to the imperial government are those of our citizens who
are missionaries. This fact leads me to address to you, in common with
our consuls in China generally, some remarks as to this class of
cases.
It is entirely true that a large part of the business of the legation in
the past has been of this kind. At all the ports in China, Shanghai only
excepted, the missionary residents coming from America largely outnumber
all other citizens of the United States. Probably more than one-half of
our whole representation in China are the messengers of the Christian
system. These belong to a class who, in the pursuit of their work, are
likely to meet difficulties. They go into the interior to preach and to
reside, while our merchants confine their work essentially to the ports.
Their business is to displace existing religious systems, and in doing
so they must necessarily arouse antagonism. With them zeal is a duty,
and the conservative disposition which grows up when property is at
stake is wanting. In many of our mission establishments the central
control is not strong, and each individual, be he discreet or not, is
more or less free to work out the bent of his disposition.
Looking to these facts it may well be expected that for the future, as
lately and in the past generally, missionary cases will continue to call
for a great share of the efforts of the legation.
If such a remark should be predicated of any legation at our own capital,
it would attract general attention, and the whole tendency involved
would be subjected to anxious examination.
In making these remarks I recognize fully the leading facts, first, that
the sympathies of the American people wait upon the efforts of the
missionaries; second, that their efforts tend undoubtedly to the moral
and physical advancement of the peoples among whom they are so
generously expended; and, thirdly, that in my observation our
missionaries are thoroughly imbued with the American idea that church
and state should be separate, and that the former should rely upon
spiritual weapons in conducting spiritual contests.
The fact remains, however, that missionaries do from time to time get
entangled in difficulties. They are assaulted, their converts
maltreated, their mission-houses, chapels, dispensaries, and book-shops
are pillaged and destroyed, or if none of these things happen, they find
difficulty in securing houses and lands from which to carry on their
work. In all these cases they appeal to the consuls, and as a last
resort to the legation. It will continue to be so, so long as the West
is Christian and the East adheres to other systems.
We are all agreed, then, as to the facts, and in regretting the situation
which virtually establishes our political representation as the right
arm of the propagandists of the Christian faith. What shall be done to
make this condition of things as little to be regretted and as little
awkward as possible?
I may say that the Government of the United States is not likely to
forget that a missionary has the rights of an individual, and that while
we do not bring the power of the state actively into the advocacy of the
Christian system, we cannot consent that that power shall be exercised
anywhere against our people who are its adherents, because of their
religion, or that they shall be subjected to abuse for this reason. We
accord freedom of conviction to all within our borders; and within the
bounds of a just discretion, we appeal to all mankind to favor the same
principle.
But there is always this just discretion to be observed, whether it be on
the part of the state, the officer, or the missionary. The missionary of
right views would not readily [Page 48]
pardon the officer who should fail to grasp a given case in all its
bearings, and should by the exercise of undue zeal, or undue caution,
jeopardize his work. The liberal Christian desires only that the state
shall give the religious element an open opportunity. And so in turn the
state and the officer may ask the missionary to have some of the “wisdom
of the serpent,” to be forbearing and long-suffering, to avoid places
which are dangerous, to deal respectfully with cherished beliefs,
erroneous though they be, and generally to carry on his work with such
good management, good feeling, and tact, as to arouse the least possible
animosity, and to draw the Government as little as may be into the arena
of discussion and conflict.
This letter has, then, this purpose, to represent to the missionary the
ground which his Government and its officers may rightfully take. It is
a plea that they shall not embarrass us unduly, and that they shall
yield to us consideration as they expect it from us, to the end that the
best results for all may be worked out.
I wish you to call together the missionaries at your port and to read
this letter to them, or to bring it to their attention in some
convenient way, and to say that I shall be glad to receive an expression
of their views upon the subject, to be communicated to me in such manner
as you and they may see fit.
I add a word to yourself as to the course to be taken in missionary
troubles. Be content in searching out the facts and in putting these
before the native authorities. Make no explicit demands for this or that
mode of settlement. Deal with all cases as if the authorities were well
disposed, and with patience, avoiding in every way all that is likely to
cause unnecessary irritation. Procure settlements as promptly as
possible, and do not scrutinize the terms over-rigidly. Refer as few
cases as possible for the action of the legation, but keep it fully
informed of each step of your procedure. In fact, exercise on your part
at all points that discretion and tact which we ask from the
missionaries, and for the lack of which no officer can be entirely
excused.
You will be at liberty to give a copy of this letter to any one wishing
it. In doing so, however, it must be understood that it is not open for
publication.
I have, &c.,
