Charles Seymour, Consul to P. S.—The only American citizen who has suffered loss by the Chinese mob’s pillage and incendiarism is E. T. Hoi will, September 10, 1883

Mr. Seymour to Mr. Young.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the Europeans and Americans residing in Canton and on the Shameen have had an interesting day during which some lives were lost and considerable property has been destroyed, amounting in value to about $200,000, with incidental damages to business of steamers and ships to enough more to make a total loss of about a quarter of a million of dollars.

The immediate cause of the outbreak of the mob was the death of a Chinaman this morning on board the British steamer Hankow, caused by the kicks of a Portuguese employé (watchman), who killed the Chinaman, or caused him to roll insensible into the water, where (it is commonly alleged) he was drowned, although it is probable the man died of the kicks.

Immediately thereafter the Chinese mob fired the wharf and sheds where the steamer Hankow was moored, and would have set the steamer on fire if she had not promptly, east off lines and steamed up the river in front of the Shameen or European settlement.

The mob, gathering strength with the excitement of the occasion, forced their way quickly upon the European reservation (Shameen), and, commencing with the new ice factory of Mr. Raven, which was soon destroyed-, looted or pillaged nearly all of the dwellings and business places, to the number of a dozen valuable buildings, east of the British consulate and east of Messrs. Russell & Co.’s establishments, which were entered by the leaders of the mob, five of whom were captured while attempting to fire the main building, from which they were ejected in time to save it from destruction.

Four of the five captured persons escaped. From 8 o’clock a. m. until after 1 o’clock p.m. the mob encountered no resistance worth mentioning; but after live hours of pillage and incendiarism the mob were interrupted by the viceroy’s soldiers, who are now in possession of the Shameen and its approaches.

The steamor Hankow, instead of proceeding from Canton to Hong-Kong, has remained in port, as all concerned regarded it extremely hazardous for the steamer to carry away the body of the recovered Chinaman or the person of the Portuguese who caused his death, no one feeling authorized to act for the Portuguese.

This afternoon the body of the murdered Chinaman was removed from the steamer, which is still here, awaiting action in regard to the Portuguese.

In the mean time the ladies and children of nearly all of the foreigners who could reach steamers in port took refuge, and still remain thereon, while the citizens of western nations, to the number of about sixty persons, are patrolling the Shameen, agreeably with an organization effected at a public meeting in the Canton Club House at 5 o’clock this evening.

The consular corps, representing the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, Denmark, and Sweden and Norway, met in the United States consulate at 3 p.m. and acted unitedly in reference to the emergency. A copy of the dispatch adopted by all the consular officers is appended.

At present matters have apparently quieted down; but with over three millions of Chinese within a radius of six miles, and over six millions within a radius of twelve or fifteen miles, the materials are abundant for a continuance or renewal of the deplorable scenes that have been enacted this day in Canton.

I just came off my evening patrol, and return to it at 4 p.m.

I can only assure you that, whatever may be the result of the present disturbed condition of the Chinese in regard to foreigners, it will be my endeavor to maintain fidelity to American interests and honor, while performing my duties toward all concerned.

Telegraphic communication is broken and mail facilities are somewhat disturbed, but I will try to get this dispatch to you through the hands of the United States consul at Hong-Kong.

I am, &c.,