The sentiments of this memorial are in every way commendable.
[Inclosure in No.
1346.—Translation.]
The tsung-li yamên to Mr.
Denby.
Your Excellency: The yamên has the honor to
state that on the 13th June last it memoralized the Throne, requesting
the issuance of stringent orders to the governors-general and governors
to immediately devise measures for dealing with the missionary cases
which have successively arisen in their several provinces.
A copy of the decree, which was received on the same day, was forwarded
on the 15th June, as will he remembered, to your excellency, and the
yamên now incloses for your information a copy of the said memorial.
A necessary communication to his excellency Charles Denby, United States
minister, Peking.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Memorial of the tsung-li yamên to the
Throne.
The tsung-li yamên humbly begs the sacred glance upon a respectful
memorial, requesting the issuance of stringent orders to the
governors-general and governors to immediately take action in the
missionary cases which have successively arisen in their several
provinces, in order that peace may be restored to those localities and
cause for future trouble be removed.
In the early part of the fourth moon the yamên learned of the destruction
of a cathedral at Wuhu. A telegram was at once sent to his excellency
the superintendent of southern trade to dispatch gunboats thither to
repress the uprising and protect property, and at the same time
officials were promptly ordered there to inquire into and deal with the
matter. As there had been anonymous placards circulating false rumors
simultaneously posted up at Nganking, Shanghai, and other places, orders
were also given to exercise unusual precaution in taking measures for
the defense of those localities. Subsequently we received from the
governor of Nganhui, the superintendent of southern trade, a telegram
stating that the uprising at Wuhu was due to the spreading abroad of a
rumor that two Sisters of Charity bewitched children. The suspicions of
the populace were aroused and could not be allayed; a crowd gathered
together, a riot took place, and the cathedral was forthwith demolished.
Two of the rioters were at once arrested, and were beheaded as a warning
to the mob. Peace in that vacinity was restored, but shortly afterwards
a church was burned at Tan-yang and another at Wu-Hsiieh, in Hupeh,
where also we learn that two foreigners were killed; but the details of
this affair have not yet been fully ascertained. Besides these
instances, bad characters also created disturbances at Nanking and
Kiukiang; but luckily the local authorities protected property and
arrested some of the rioters, whom they immediately dispersed.
These disturbances occurring thus one after the other, the minds of both
natives and foreigners are unavoidably filled with alarm. If we trace to
its source the cause of these outbreaks, it is to be found in the
wandering braves combined in lawless bands, who are found in large
numbers everywhere throughout the provinces of the Yangtse Valley. They
post up proclamations, doubtless wishing in this way to excite men’s
minds and to avail of the opportunity thus afforded to cause trouble.
These deeds are in no sense those of the peaceable and honest
population.
The religion of the West seems fundamentally to have for its object to
persuade men to live uprightly. It prevails in all the countries of the
West, having come down to them from remote antiquity. Ever since the
introduction, of foreign trade the treaties have clearly provided that
all converts to and propagators of the doctrines of the Catholic and the
Protestant churches in China should be entitled to protection of their
persons and property, and should have the right to meet for worship and
praise. The hospitals and orphanages supported by these religious bodies
are all in order to do good. In the calamities which in recent years
have afflicted various provinces missionaries in large numbers have
subscribed money for charitable purposes. They are certainly deserving
of praise for the pleasure they take in virtuous actions and in
bestowing charity. Although among the adherents of these creeds are
found both good and bad, yet they are all alike citizens
[Page 421]
of China continuing subject to the
jurisdiction of the local officials. Should litigation arise among them,
the missionaries can not interfere therein. These creeds and the people
can certainly rest in peace with one another.
People fond of disturbances, however, constantly fabricate groundless
rumors, which they spread abroad until the suspicions of the populace
are excited, and dishonest rascals rely thereon to cause uprisings,
hoping to have a chance to plunder. If stringent protective measures are
not early taken, it is sincerely to be feared that merchants and people,
both native and foreign, will be unable to live in peace, and that most
serious consequences will ensue. It is our duty, therefore, to request
an edict ordering the Tartar generals, governors-general, and governors
of the several provinces to issue proclamations instructing the people
on no account to lightly give heed to idle rumors and recklessly stir up
trouble. Should any persons post up anonymous placards promulgating
stories tending to arouse the masses, they should be relentlessly seized
and dealt with with the utmost severity. The local officials are bound,
when occasion demands, to take steps to protect the persons and property
of merchants, missionaries, and citizens of all countries. They must not
be guilty of negligence. Should their preventive measures be wanting in
energy or their protection in zeal, so that cause for complaint should
arise, it will be proper to report them to the Throne for
punishment.
As to all these recent cases, except Wuhu, where the leading offenders
have already been executed, it should be made the duty of the
governors-general of the Liang Chiang and Hu Kwang, and the governors of
Kiangsu, Nganhui, and Hupeh to immediately command the arrest of the
ringleaders and to punish them with the utmost vigor, as a warning for
the future. With regard to previous cases in the various provinces which
remain unclosed, the proper high provincial authorities should take
steps for their immediate settlement. No heed should be given to
subordinate officials whose fear of difficulties causes them to delay.
In this way will accumulated litigation be cleared away.
For this purpose this respectful memorial is submitted, upon which His
Majesty’s sacred glance is humbly requested and his instructions with
reference thereto.
