Charles Seymour to Russell Young, August 14, 1883

Mr. Seymour to Mr. Young.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that Canton has been considerably stirred up for the past three days and nights, over a disturbance that occurred early on the morning of Sunday, 12th instant, when three Europeans, in the employ of the imperial maritime customs service, after a night of dissipation, caused a row in the streets on the Honan (south) side or division of the city of Canton, that resulted irk the death of a Chinese boy and the wounding of a Chinaman and a Chinawoman.

Matters assumed a serious aspect, with threats of revenge against foreigners, until rigorous measures were adopted by the Chinese authorities to maintain order and re-establish tranquillity among the natives, who would not permit the dead to be removed from the place where he fell until to-day; and would not permit the wounded woman to remain at the hospital in care of the “barbarian devils,” and refused, to allow “Europeans” or foreigners to land on that side of the river, and threatened extermination generally.

Admonitions sent to several of the consulates by professed and doubtless real friends led to a conference of and a consultation by the consular corps on Monday afternoon, 13th instant, when, in reference to demands from foreigners of various nationalities, upon their consuls for protection, it was deemed best, for prudential reasons, to bring the facts before the viceroy, and request his attention to the emergency.

Herewith please find copy of a dispatch, prepared by request of my colleagues, addressed to the viceroy, and signed by the consuls. Also please find the concluding: paragraphs of the viceroy’s prompt reply, of this date, conveying satisfactory assurance of vigorous efforts to preserve order.

At present indications decidedly testify to the viceroy’s efficiency and success, and no further trouble is anticipated.

I am, &c.,