From these reports you will gather that the immediate cause of the riot was
the accidental or intentional drowning of a Chinese by a Portuguese watchman
employed on the British steamship Hankow, but that the feelings of the
populace had previously been roused to an intense degree by the wanton
murder of an inoffensive Chinese by a British subject named Logan while the
latter was in a state of intoxication, by the release of two of Logan’s
companions, and by the fear that Logan himself would either be released or
escape with a trifling punishment. I shall have occasion to address you more
at length upon this unfortunate occurrence within a few days. In the mean
time I may add that Iogan has been tried before a British court, convicted
of manslaughter, and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. The viceroy at
Canton and the foreign office here have protested against this punishment as
inadequate, but, so far as I can learn, without effect. The air is full of
rumors of further and more serious disturbances at Canton, which, however,
cannot be traced to any reliable source. There is much uneasy feeling among
the Chinese at other ports, and the situation as a whole is far from
reassuring.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 277.]
Mr. Seymour to Mr.
Young.
Consulate of the United States,
Canton
,
September 10, 1883—10 p.m.
No. 31.]
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the
Europeans and Americans residing in Canton and on the Shameen have had
an interesting day during which some lives were lost and considerable
property has been destroyed, amounting in value to about $200,000, with
incidental damages to business of steamers and ships to enough more to
make a total loss of about a quarter of a million of dollars.
The immediate cause of the outbreak of the mob was the death of a
Chinaman this morning on board the British steamer Hankow, caused by the
kicks of a Portuguese employé (watchman), who killed the Chinaman, or
caused him to roll insensible into the water, where (it is commonly
alleged) he was drowned, although it is probable the man died of the
kicks.
Immediately thereafter the Chinese mob fired the wharf and sheds where
the steamer [Page 47] Hankow was moored,
and would have set the steamer on fire if she had not promptly, east off
lines and steamed up the river in front of the Shameen or European
settlement.
The mob, gathering strength with the excitement of the occasion, forced
their way quickly upon the European reservation (Shameen), and,
commencing with the new ice factory of Mr. Raven, which was soon
destroyed-, looted or pillaged nearly all of the dwellings and business
places, to the number of a dozen valuable buildings, east of the British
consulate and east of Messrs. Russell & Co.’s establishments, which
were entered by the leaders of the mob, five of whom were captured while
attempting to fire the main building, from which they were ejected in
time to save it from destruction.
Four of the five captured persons escaped. From 8 o’clock a. m. until
after 1 o’clock p.m. the mob encountered no resistance worth mentioning;
but after live hours of pillage and incendiarism the mob were
interrupted by the viceroy’s soldiers, who are now in possession of the
Shameen and its approaches.
The steamor Hankow, instead of proceeding from Canton to Hong-Kong, has
remained in port, as all concerned regarded it extremely hazardous for
the steamer to carry away the body of the recovered Chinaman or the
person of the Portuguese who caused his death, no one feeling authorized
to act for the Portuguese.
This afternoon the body of the murdered Chinaman was removed from the
steamer, which is still here, awaiting action in regard to the
Portuguese.
In the mean time the ladies and children of nearly all of the foreigners
who could reach steamers in port took refuge, and still remain thereon,
while the citizens of western nations, to the number of about sixty
persons, are patrolling the Shameen, agreeably with an organization
effected at a public meeting in the Canton Club House at 5 o’clock this
evening.
The consular corps, representing the United States, Great Britain,
Germany, France, Denmark, and Sweden and Norway, met in the United
States consulate at 3 p.m. and acted unitedly in reference to the
emergency. A copy of the dispatch adopted by all the consular officers
is appended.
At present matters have apparently quieted down; but with over three
millions of Chinese within a radius of six miles, and over six millions
within a radius of twelve or fifteen miles, the materials are abundant
for a continuance or renewal of the deplorable scenes that have been
enacted this day in Canton.
I just came off my evening patrol, and return to it at 4 p.m.
I can only assure you that, whatever may be the result of the present
disturbed condition of the Chinese in regard to foreigners, it will be
my endeavor to maintain fidelity to American interests and honor, while
performing my duties toward all concerned.
Telegraphic communication is broken and mail facilities are somewhat
disturbed, but I will try to get this dispatch to you through the hands
of the United States consul at Hong-Kong.
I am, &c.,
P. S.—The only American citizen who has suffered loss by the Chinese
mob’s pillage and incendiarism is E. T. Hoi will, esq., deputy
commissioner of imperial maritime customs, and to the extent of
about $10,000.
