Legation of the United States,
Peking, November 14,
1896. (Received Dec. 28.)
No. 2639.]
The action taken by this legation in this case, as well as the steps of
the Chinese Government on behalf of the missionaries and the native
Christians, were reported to you by the chargé d’affaires of this
legation in dispatch No. 2549, of the 19th of June last. Mr. Lingle
expresses his entire satisfaction at the redress which has been afforded
himself and his converts and at the guarantees for the future peaceful
prosecution of his work.
[Inclosure in No. 2639.]
Mr. Lingle to
Mr. Denby.
(Lien Chow) Canton,
China, October 23,
1896.
Sir: I have just returned from the province
of Hunan, where we had the trouble in April and concerning which I
appealed to you for your valuable assistance in May, and I am happy
to report the whole affair as most satisfactorily settled. I acted
upon your advice and petitioned the viceroy, Chang Chi-tung, through
United States Consul Child at Hankow, going in person to Hankow
myself, and through the viceroy’s prompt and decided action the
whole case has been most satisfactorily settled. Our chapel and
school building have been rebuilt in a very acceptable manner. The
houses of the Christians which were partly destroyed have been
repaired, and the owners have returned and are peaceably occupying
them.
The district magistrate gave me $125, the amount asked to repay the
Christians for the loss of household effects. Several of the leaders
of the trouble were punished and put in prison for a while, which
was even more than I asked.
[Page 87]
A very good proclamation was issued by the district magistrate,
informing the people of the peaceable relationship of the United
States and China and the rights of Christians in China; also saying
that as this was the first offense the punishment had been light,
but if the offense was repeated the punishment would be more severe
and without mercy. I was entertained and treated most kindly by the
magistrate and all the Yamên people. I trust we may have no more
opposition to our work in that part of China.
I wish to most sincerely thank you on behalf of the American
Presbyterian Mission, the Christians in Hunan, and especially on my
own behalf for your invaluable service in presenting the matter to
the Tsung-li Yamên and having the provincial officer instructed to
settle the difficulty.
May I also ask you, on behalf of the Presbyterian Mission, the
Christians in Hunan, and myself, to most sincerely thank the
Tsung-li Yamên, the viceroy, Chang Chi-tung, and the provincial
officials for their prompt action and most satisfactory settlement
of the difficulty.
Again thanking you for your trouble and most valuable assistance, I
have, etc.,
