When Chinese local authorities generally shall accept the liberal position
taken by the district magistrate at Soochow, we shall be relieved of many
delicate and complicated questions which now vex the diplomatic relations of
China and the United States.
[Inclosure in No. 72.—From The North China
Daily News.]
Proclamation of the district magistrate at
Soochow.
soochow.
Shanghai, February 27,
1882.
I inclose herewith translation of a proclamation issued by the magistrate
of the Yuen Ho District, Soochow, 31st December, 1881, establishing the
right of missionaries under treaty to purchase land and erect buildings
in this city for the purpose of propagating the Christian religion. This
is the first recognition of our treaty rights that the officials of
Soochow have ever given us. You will at once recognize (1) that this
indicates a very decided change in public sentiment from what existed in
that city only a few years since; and (2) that under the administration
of well-disposed magistrates the probabilities of conflict between the
people and the missionaries are reduced to a minimum.
The Southern Methodist Mission, U. S. A., now have in Soochow property
worth some $15,000, comprising—
- 1st.
- A lot, missionary’s residence, and boy’s
boarding-school.
- 2d.
- A lot, missionary’s residence, and church.
- 3d.
- A large lot for hospital, and residence of female medical
missionaries, and girls’ boarding-school, and residence for lady
teachers.
All of this is situated on the Tien-sz-Chuang in compounds contiguous to
one another and constituting a most imposing headquarters to the work of
the Southern Methodist Miss on in this city. Besides the above the
mission also owns a valuable property elsewhere in the city, which is to
be occupied by a chapel, native parsonage, and a day-school. It is to
this property the proclamation refers, and it is hoped now that the
missionary occupation of this great city has been recognized and that
there will not soon occur any event to mar the prospect of future good
will and prosperity of the missionary work. To the respective
missionaries engaged in the transaction involved in the purchase of the
above land and the erection of houses thereon great credit is due for
their patience and tact in accomplishing results so satisfactory.
[Page 133]
proclamation.
This proclamation is issued at the request of C. F. Reid, an American
missionary, who states that he has purchased of Messrs. Tsiang and Chang
two plots of land situated on Heaven bestowed Market street and on the
boundary of the Dzun San and the De San blocks. He also states that the
said plots of lauds were purchased with funds contributed by the church
and for the purpose of erecting a church and free school-buildings. He
also states that the roofs, walls, and doors of said buildings will
correspond with those of native houses, and that the buildings will be
so located as in nowise to interfere with the homes of the people.
But lest rowdies and unprincipled persons should interfere and hinder the
work he asks that a record be made of this affair, that the higher
officials be notified and that a suitable proclamation be issued in
reference to it.
This office having been duly notified of the above, and whereas Tsa
Voong-tsung, a native, states that the said land was purchased for the
erection of said buildings for the common use and to be held as the
common property of the Christian church;
And whereas Tsiang King-têh and Chang Chên-san, with their middlemen,
certify that they have sold the said two plots of land of which they
were in possession by inheritance, said land being in fee-simple, to the
said Tsa Voong-tsung to be given to the Christian church;
And whereas said land is in a retired locality, has been unoccupied since
the rebellion, and in no way interferes with the residence of the
people;
And whereas the minister superintendent of trade and the higher
officials, upon being notified of all the above, signified their
approval of the same, all of which is a matter of record in this
office:
We accordingly issue this proclamation, and hereby instruct the
constables of that place, together with all the people of every class,
to bear in mind that the renting or purchasing of land by foreign
missionaries or the building of houses in which to preach the doctrines
of Christianity, is in accordance with treaty stipulations; and
henceforth should any rowdies or unprincipled persons take advantage of
any cause to create disturbances in that vicinity, the constable is
hereby permitted to give notice of the names of such persons to this
office that they may be arrested and rigorously dealt with.
Let every one trembling heed and not disobey.
A special proclamation.
Kuang Hsü, 7th year, 11th moon, 16th day.
Soochow, China.
