Mr. Denby to Mr. Blaine.

No. 1418.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy of a letter recently received from Rev. Gilbert Reid, wherein he reports that the troubles at Chi-ning Chow have all been settled.

I have, etc.,

Charles Denby.
[Inclosure in No. 1418.]

Mr. Reid to Mr. Denby.

Sir: I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, and to thank you for again addressing the tsung li yamen concerning the difficulties at this place, and also those at Chi-ning-chow. It is now possible for me to favor your excellency with a report of the very satisfactory settlement of the missionary troubles of our Presbyterian mission at Chi-ning-chow. By the energetic action of the present Taotai at Chi-nan fu, to whom the governor of the province had referred all cases connected with foreigners, it was decided in the month of September that a special deputy, Chin-cheng Keng, should be sent to Chi-ning-chow to confer with the local officials at that place Pen yu sen, and to so mediate that a settlement might be reached without delay. About that time a new order was received from the tsung li yamen in response to a dispatch from your excellency. A second deputy of the rank of prefect was also appointed by the governor with special instructions to proceed to Chi-ning-chow and effect the immediate adjustment of both the American case and that of the German missionaries. As representing the interests of our own mission, and with the favor of a special order from the governor, I went in person to that city to consult with the local official and the two deputies as to the most wise and harmonious adjustment of the difficulties. By the strict orders which had been issued by the taotai at the capital, by the cautious and earnest efforts of the deputies, and the capacity, wisdom, and courage of the local official, I was able after a few friendly consultations to reach such a result as seemed for the interests of peace, as well as the safety of the mission. The official had already issued a clear and strong proclamation and had secured the support of the gentry in the guaranty of peace for the future. The official on his part made a small recompense in money of the things stolen during the riots, and the gentry of the city sent as a body a present to both Dr. Hunter and myself as an indication of their friendly interest. An exchange of calls was made between myself and the officials, gentry, and scholars. The local official received me each time with great respect and exerted himself to clear the minds of the people of all suspicions and hostility. Assistance was openly rendered in the purchase of a small piece of property, a proclamation was issued announcing the fact and enjoining the harmony of the neighbors and people, and a promise was made to protect in the future, suppress all disturbance and forbid all anonymous placards. If the previous official had shown the same justice or possessed the same ability, no riot last winter would have occurred, and no cause existed for appealing to your excellency and the Peking government. Several points were yielded by me owing to the great courtesy and friendliness manifested by the present official and to his assurances for the future. Prior to leaving the city I exerted myself in behalf of a satisfactory settlement of the Roman Catholic case, and am led to believe that the settlement of our case tended to the same result with them. It will be a pleasure to me if you will transmit to the State Department and the tsung li yamen the above facts, and to express to the latter body my personal thanks for the wisdom and energy displayed by the taotai at Chi-nan fu in devising [Page 71] a scheme for satisfactory adjustment and for the fair and honorable action of the local official at Chi-ning-chow with the two special deputies. I also desire to tender to your excellency my hearty thanks for the aid that you yourself have rendered in behalf of our mission at Chi-ning-chow. I will add in a few days a separate report on the Chi-nan fu case, the settlement of which, at least so far as property is concerned, now seems possible.

Appreciating your efforts in behalf of American missionaries, I remain, etc.,

Gilbert Reid.