Benj. P. Avery to Benj. P. Avery , United States, July 13, 1875

No. 169. Mr. Avery to Mr. Fish.

Sir: The Chinese government has lately sent more troops forward to quell the so-called insurrection in the Manchurian province of Shing-king, bordering on Corea.

Fourteen hundred foreign-drilled troops were conveyed to that province, by Chinese steamers, during last month, proceeding from Taku up the gulfs of Pechele and Liautung, to the river Lianho, and by the river into the interior. These steamers were followed by a German bark laden with shell and other munitions of war. The transportation of troops and munitions by steamers to the very seat of trouble, where these steamers will be used as gunboats in co-operation with the land-forces, is a novelty in Chinese military operations worthy of notice. The preparations made would appear to indicate a rather formidable outbreak. The most full and accurate information on the subject which has come to my knowledge is contained in the inclosed copy of a dispatch from our consul at New-chwang, Mr. F. P. Knight.

In the extreme south of the empire there has been another outbreak of a different character, by several hundred natives engaged in opium-smuggling, who occupied a village near the Pagoda Anchorage, defied the authorities, and even organized an attack on the customs premises. A considerable force of imperial troops, report puts it as high as 3,000, was recently sent to the smugglers’ village, when the smugglers fled to the hills without a fight.

Such outbreaks as this, and that in Shingking, which are frequent in China, may be regarded as natural incidents to a dense population, large portions of which must at times feel the pressure of want, and become reckless and desperate. That they are not still more frequent and extensive is due more to the Chinese instinct for order than to the vigor of the government, though latterly the authorities have shown unusual promptitude and energy in the adoption of repressive measures, which results in part from the greater resources for rapid offensive movements enjoyed through the establishment of arsenals and military depots, under foreign direction, at various points on the coast.

The empire, however, greatly needs the opening, under liberal sanctions, of more avenues of labor and mercantile enterprise, which would do more to maintain peace and increase the general prosperity than any increase of military efficiency, though the latter may, in time, make the: government feel more self-reliant, and more disposed to risk taking the initiative in improvements.

The operations against the savages in Formosa continue, with reported successes latterly to the imperial arms. Repeated re-enforcements have been sent to the island, and the disposition to thoroughly subject it seems now very strong.

This result obtained, and a liberal policy adopted toward native and foreign enterprise, Formosa would soon prove a source of increased prosperity to the empire.

I have, &c.,