Mr. Hay to Mr. Conger.
(Mr. Hay acknowledges Mr. Conger’s telegram of the 17th instant in regard to punishments. The decree is not thought by the President to be unsatisfactory. Three of the principal culprits are already dead. By the decree several of high rank are to be put to death; two of the highest rank are to be degraded and exiled, and all the rest severely punished. The President entertains the opinion that, with the fulfillment of these sentences, and considering the material chastisement already inflicted upon the Chinese and their cities, the question of punishment should be regarded by the powers as closed, and other matters should be taken up.)