COLBY, Consul to George F. Seward, June 1, 1875

Mr. Colby to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I have to report that a very serious disturbance, which at one time threatened to become calamitous, occurred here last Monday evening, (the 14th instant,) about 7 o’clock. While neither the life nor property of any American citizen seemed to be imperiled, except upon general principles in the event of a general riot, still, as my wife and I were the prime though innocent cause of the difficulty, and as I may become officially a party to the settlement of the affair, I deem it my duty to report to you the facts of the case as I understand them.

During the evening in question, at the hour mentioned, my wife and I were taking our accustomed walk, with the usual curious crowd of natives following, some of whom were disbanded soldiers or “braves,” and were both saucy and insolent, calling us names (not foreign devils) unfit to appear in this paper, something seeming directed more particularly toward my wife; at the same time they came rather near to her, and from indications they apparently intended to place their hands upon her. We were passing up a street in the British concession, not very far from Her Britannic Majesty’s consulate, and by this time had arrrived at the intersection of a cross street upon which a native municipal police officer was patrolling. He came upon the scene just in time to check the crowd from following us too closely, and to prevent their further insults, to which we had paid no attention. Not wishing to become involved in a street imbroglio with the crowd, but caring more to get my wife in a place of safety, as there seemed to be a chance of doing when the crowd appeared to stop to parley with the policeman, we turned around the corner of the next block. I looked back, and saw the policeman having an altercation with two of the soldiers or braves, as though he was trying to arrest them.

But, not thinking it likely to become a serious matter, we went on, but had proceeded only a short distance when my wife called my attention to the tumult in the direction from which we had come, remarking that “there must be a terrible fight.” I suggested that probably some foreigners had come to the assistance of the native officer, and we walked on. Before passing entirely out of view of the vicinity, I looked back and saw a crowd of natives running in the direction of the English consulate. We continued our walk, passing around the “consular hill,” past the English cemetery, intending to pass by the road somewhat to the rear and around the hill above the English consulate, and from thence to the upper end of the bund and down the bund homeward. As we were about passing the open space of ground between the base of the hill and the river, in order to reach the bund, a foreign gentleman connected with the customs came running to us, stating that there was some trouble, and that we had better come to the English consulate. We did so, and upon our arrival there found a number of foreigners collected, and very soon afterward most of the foreigners in port arrived at the consulate. By this time, outside of the consulate gate were assembled a crowd of a thousand or more Chinese. I here learned that, as I expected, Mr. Nunn. English consular constable, had gone to the relief of the native officer, and that, with the aid of some friendly Chinese, they had succeeded in arresting “two braves,” and had brought them to the English consulate. Of what then transpired I know nothing personally, but I am told by Mr. Baber, and it is no doubt true, that a hundred or more comrades of the prisoners attempted their rescue, vigorously assaulting the gate of the consulate, and swearing they would kill the “foreign devils.” I have no doubt the result would have been terrible, ending with loss of life, but for the timely arrival of Chinese officials, to whom Mr. Baber had very wisely sent a private messenger warning them of the disturbance. In about an hour, all apparently being quiet and immediate danger passed, my wife and I went home.

I am co-operating with Mr. Baber in demanding from the Chinese a prompt and severe punishment of the men engaged in the outrage, as well as immunity from a repetition of such insults and insolence, and am glad to say that they seem to regret the circumstance, and manifest a disposition’ to yield to any reasonable demands in the premises. I learn from Mr. Baber to-day that the braves have been degraded and turned over to the civil authorities to be further dealt with, and I hope punished. I shall write to the Taotai and insist that they be made an example of, in order to deter others from committing similar offenses.

I do not feel that there is any immediate danger of another outbreak; still I may be deceived as to appearances, and shall be happy to receive any instructions or advice from you that you may deem necessary.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,