Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 4, 1882

No. 75.
Mr. Holcombe to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Legation of the United States,
Peking, March 4, 1882. (Received April 29.)

No. 72.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for the information of the department, a printed translation of a proclamation recently issued by a district magistrate at Soochow at the request of certain American missionaries resident there. This document is interesting and valuable, since it not only shows a favorable disposition on the part of the Chinese authorities towards our people, but admits a right which has not been claimed by us under the treaties, i. e., the right of missionaries to purchase and hold for the use of their work real estate at interior points in China.

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.

I have, &c.,

CHESTER HOLCOMBE.

[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.

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.