Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, China, February 1,
1899.
No. 136.]Sir: Referring to Colonel Denby’s dispatch, No.
2916 of April 20, 1898, concerning the murder of a Chinese hospital
student at Chiang Pei, near Chung-king, in March last, I have the honor
to report that the case has been finally settled upon still more
favorable terms than those agreed upon by Colonel Denby.
I inclose a copy of the conditions agreed upon, and a dispatch from
Consul Smithers with information that all the conditions had been
faithfully executed. Also a copy of the proclamation of the Taotai
issued in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
The settlement has been considerably delayed, first by a long series of
literary examinations, making arrests and punishments unwise for a time,
and then by the absence of the missionaries for the summer, and because
of the long time necessary to communicate with the consul, and the
difficulty of adjusting the details to the satisfaction of all taking
part therein. However, it is now finished and apparently satisfactory to
all.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
136.]
Copy of conditions.
- 1.
- The criminals to be severely dealt with according to law, the
chief criminal to be beheaded. The punishment to be carried out
by January 1, 1899, failing which this agreement to be null and
void.
- 2.
- Messrs. Yuan, Pei, and Li are to be deprived of their rank and
official position forever. The heads of the gentry of Kiang-peh,
as well as the above three, to sign a bond at the Kiang-peh
Ting, guaranteeing the safety of the property and of the
missionaries who may reside or resort there in the future. Also
place a copy of the same in the chapel.
- 3.
- The amount of 400 taels is to be paid by the subprefecture to
defray expenses of putting the building to be used as a hospital
into repair.
- 4.
- In addition to the sum of 5,000 taels, to be paid as
indemnity, the people of the subprefecture are to cheerfully aid
the hospital in its virtuous and meritorious work in the sum of
1,000 taels. This sum to be handed over by the gentry on the day
of the opening of the hospital.
- 5.
- A proclamation is to issue giving the reason of the punishment
of the criminals and the object of establishing the hospital.
Such proclamation to be a satisfactory one to the mission and to
be posted in Eastern Szechuan.
- 6.
- On the opening of the hospital the local officials and gentry
will attend and offer their congratulations to the
mission.
[Page 199]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
136.]
Mr. Smithers to
Mr. Conger.
United States Consulate,
Chung-king, January 11,
1899.
No. 33.]Sir: I have the honor to report that the
Kiang-peh missionary case was concluded yesterday, the hospital and
chapel having been opened with a feast given to the six male members
of the mission at Chungking, at which the ting or department
magistrate, the commissary of the seal, the sergeant of the ting,
the professor of the ting, the head gentry, and about twenty other
gentry were present.
I was unable to be present at the opening myself, but Mr. Laisun, the
interpreter, attended, and has reported to me that the proceedings
passed off to the apparent satisfaction of all the members of the
mission. The 1,000 taels gratuity money was paid to Mr. Lewis by the
head gentry just prior to the commencement of the repast. The
property acquired by the mission I am informed is a spacious
one.
I append a confirmation of my telegram dispatched to-day:
Conger, Peking:
Affair satisfactorily settled.
Smithers.
I have, etc.,
George F. Smithers,
Consul.
[Inclosure 3 in No.
136.]
Copy of proclamation.
In the matter of issuing a proclamation: Whereas during the present
year, second moon, owing to the Methodist Episcopal mission renting
a house within the city of Kiang-peh, a disturbance occurred,
causing this case, wherein a life was lost, I, Taotai, repeatedly,
together with the said ting and official gentry, petitioned the
Tsung li Yamên and the Szechnan Tartar general and viceroy to at
once examine into the matter and give us their instructions, which
we are most grateful to say they have agreed to, ordering me to
consult together with the United States consul and missionaries and
to satisfactorily deliberate and settle the case.
On investigating the treaty with the United States I find in the
twenty-ninth article as follows:
“The principles of the Christian religion as professed by the
Protestant and Roman Catholic churches are recognized as teaching
men to do good, and to do to others as they would have others do to
them. Hereafter those who quietly profess and teach these doctines
shall not be harassed or persecuted on account of their faith. Any
persons, whether citizens of the United States or Chinese converts,
who, according to these tenets, peaceably teach and practice the
principles of Christianity shall in no case be interfered with or
molested.”
This imperial edict has been promulgated for more than ten years.
The inhabitants of Chiang Pei have been peaceful with the Christians
for a long time, when one night rowdies congregated and created
trouble, so as to result in Tang she-i meeting with cruel beating
and strangulation, resulting in his death and then dragged out of
the city.
The said ting and gentry have already captured the criminals Wonh
Sing-ho, Chow Tsun-lin, and Lin Jung-shan; they have been examined,
and their testimony taken and sent on to the provincial capital. I
have petitioned and received from the high authorities that the
sentence passed on Wong Sing-ho is beheading, and that of Chow
Tsan-lin and Lin Juug-shan is that they shall be beaten and
transported. Yuan Hai-shan, Li Che-chou, and Pei Chao-keng, for not
being able to give proper protection, are to be forever deprived of
their rank, and in future are forbidden to be employed in the public
affairs of the city, and they are to sign a bond, together with the
heads of the gentry, to protect the property of the mission, besides
the protection of the missionaries who may reside there; and the
American
[Page 200]
missionaries are
to, as before, rent a house in perpetuity inside the city of
Chiang-Pei, and to choose a lucky day for the opening of their
hospital.
Hereafter the inhabitants are to act in the usual manner and be at
peace with the Christians. Therefore I should issue this
proclamation.
I issue this proclamation that those under my jurisdiction, soldiers,
people, and everybody, may know of the above.
You should know that the western religion has been sanctioned by
imperial edict to be promulgated. The local officials, literati, and
people should all give protection. Repeatedly have imperial edicts
been received to that effect, which is on record.
Therefore rowdies will on no account be allowed to give an impression
and stir up trouble.
If you should dare to disregard this proclamation I will surely deal
with you severely, and not in the least give you any leniency. Be
careful to obey these injunctions.
A very important proclamation.
