[Inclosure.]
Mr. Ellinwood to Mr. Hay.
New York, November 21, 1900.
Sir: It gives me pleasure to report the
action of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions at a
meeting held on the 19th instant in relation to the kindly
offices of the representatives of our Government in China and
Korea. The recognition intended includes the sympathetic action
shown by the United States minister, Dr. H. N. Allen, of Korea,
toward our mission in that country; that of United States
Minister E. H. Conger, who rendered such invaluable service to
our besieged missionaries in Pekin; also the good offices of
Secretaries [Consuls] Fowler and Goodnow at Chefoo and Shanghai,
and more recently the interest shown by Consul R. M. McWade in
Canton.
The action taken was as follows:
“Referring to the action of the Korea mission, September, 1900,
in regard to certain questions which have arisen between one of
its missionaries and the United States authority represented by
its minister, Dr. H. N. Allen, it was—
“Resolved, That the board highly approves
of the vindication of the minister’s action in the case and the
tender of thanks to Minister Allen for its repeated acts of
kindness and protection to the mission, and it would express its
own appreciation of the many instances in which the United
States minister has shown sympathy with the missionaries and has
used the influence of his high office in legitimate ways for the
protection of the mission and the furtherance of its
philanthropic efforts in Korea.
“Referring to letters to the Canton mission bearing testimony to
the kindly offices of United States Consul R. M. McWade in the
present crisis of violence and persecution, also to the many
evidences of sympathetic interest on the part of United States
Minister E. H. Conger and the consuls in the northern ports of
China, it was—
“Resolved, That the board would express,
through the Department of State at Washington, its grateful
appreciation of the kindly offices of United States Minister E.
H. Conger and various consuls representing those portions of
China which have been subjected to violence and persecution, and
it would tender its thanks to one and all.”
The board has always taken particular pains to inculcate in its
missionaries the spirit of entire loyalty to the representatives
of our Government, whose protection they so often need, and to
avoid unnecessary complications with native authorities. The
favors received by the board and its missionaries during the
present administration have been numerous and are highly
appreciated.
Very respectfully,
