Chester Holcombe to Frelinghuysen, May 6, 1882
No. 78. Mr. Holcombe to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
No. 99.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for the consideration of the Department, copies of dispatches which I have received from Mr. Vice-Consul Carrow, of Canton, Consular Agent Williams, of Swatow, and Rev. W. K. McKibben, an American missionary at Swatow, all making inquiry as to the status under the treaties of missionaries in the interior of China, and whether any special concession not contained in the treaties had been made authorizing the permanent residence of this class of our people beyond treaty limits in China.
As this question is frequently arising, it seemed best to consider it somewhat fully. This I have done in my response to Mr. Carrow, a copy of which is inclosed. In it I have stated:
- The treaty rights of missionaries;
- The policy of the Chinese Government regarding missionary residence in the interior, so far as I understand it; and
- What I believe to be the position of our government upon the same question.
I shall be very glad to receive the approval of the Department for my exposition of the policy of our government upon this subject, if it appears to you to be correct.
It is proper to remark that during my ten years of connection with this Legation, there has been a very marked and noticeable change for the better in the entire attitude and policy of the Chinese Government upon the missionary question.
I have, &c.,