Mr. Conger to
Mr. Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China, September 4, 1900.
Sir: Continuing my dispatch No. 400, of the
3d instant, I have the honor to inclose translations of two
proclamations which were found prominently posted in the city,
giving additional and conclusive proof of the responsibility of the
Chinese Government for the Boxer movement.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
[Inclosure
1—Translation.]
Proclamation issued by prince and ministers, by Imperial
appointment, in command of the society of the “Fist of Righteous
Harmony,” as under—
Prince Chuang, K’ang I, assistant grand secretary; Ying Nien,
senior lieutenantgeneral of the gendarmerie, and Duke Lan,
acting junior lieutenant-general of the gendarmerie:
Whereas the Boxers have now assembled together in Pekin, the
prince and ministers are collecting contributions of silver and
rice in order to enable them to accomplish the loyal and
patriotic object they have in view, and render it convenient for
them to attack and exterminate (the foreigners and Christians).
The prince and ministers have recently heard, however, that
there are persons who have no sense of shame, who impersonate
others and fraudulently solicit contributions with the avowed
purpose of seeking their own profit. This practice is certainly
detrimental to the interest of the Boxers.
This proclamation is therefore issued so that in future the
officials, scholars, merchants, and people may know that those
who are public spirited and willing to contribute toward the aid
of the Boxers’ cause, on seeing the subscription lists, should
send their contributions to the office of the secretary of the
Boxers, in the palace of Prince Chuang, in order to prevent
fraud and that their contributions may be verified. A receipt
will be given immediately contributions are received, giving the
name of the contributor and the amount of donation, in order to
prevent any mistakes. When the contributions amount to a fair
sum, printed lists will be circulated from time to time giving
the name of each contributor and the amount subscribed for
general information. Persons bringing contributions from others
must get a receipt for same to be given to the contributor.
The prince and ministers will appoint official messengers to
carefully examine into the matter, and if they find persons who
are illegally collecting subscriptions by acting fraudulently
and impersonating others, on their being arrested they will be
severely punished. Anyone accused of such practices will be
severely punished. Liberal rewards will be given to those who
arrest or bring actions against persons committing these
practices.
Let all fear and obey and none disobey this special
proclamation.
Note.—The above proclamation was duly
sealed.
F. D. Cheshire,
Chinese Secretary United States
Legation.
[Inclosure
2—Translation.]
Proclamation issued by the office of the
gendarmerie offering rewards.
Whereas the missionary chapels situated in Pekin have been
entirely destroyed by fire, foreigners have now no place where
they can hide or conceal themselves. They have necessarily, in
confusion, absconded to keep out of sight.
Therefore this proclamation is issued to inform you scholars,
soldiers, brave Boxers, and people that if there are any
foreigners secretly hiding themselves they will certainly, under
the law, suffer death by decapitation. If they can be found and
taken alive a reward of 50 taels will be given for a man, 40
taels for a woman, and 30 taels for a child. They must be really
alive, and after this fact has been verified the reward will be
immediately paid.
Let all fear and obey and none disregard this special
proclamation.
Dated second day, sixth moon, of the twentieth year of Kuang Hsu.
(June 28, 1900.)
Note.—Prince Chuang was at the head of
the gendarmerie when this proclamation was issued. The above
proclamation was duly stamped with the official seal of the
office of the gendarmerie.
F. D. Cheshire,
Chinese Secretary United States
Legation.
