Minister Rockhill to the Secretary of State.
(Mr. Rockhill reports that he has just been informed by the foreign office that the American Presbyterian mission station at Lienchou in the Province of Canton was on October 28 attacked and destroyed by a mob, that five missionaries, whose names are unknown, were killed and that two were saved, one named Patterson and the other bearing the Chinese name of Ming. The Emperor, having been informed November 2 by the foreign office, immediately issued an edict to the viceroy at Canton ordering him to inflict exemplary punishment on criminals and all guilty officials, ordering also compensation and adequate protection for all missions. His late edict of August 31 is also referred to by the Emperor. The cause of the attack is said to have been the refusal of the missionaries to allow village people to fire cannon during a festival. Further details are promised by the foreign office. Mr. Rockhill says he will see the foreign minister the next day. Nothing in the matter has been heard from the consul at Canton.)