De Lano to William H. Seward, August 8, 1879

No. 130. Mr. De Lano to Mr. Seward.

Sir: * * * * * * *

Consular cases growing out of missionary work, such as have hitherto claimed much of my attention, have become rare, and I am glad to say that when such cases do arise, of late, in which American missionaries are concerned, the Chinese officials take them up without solicitation from the consulate and settle them with promptness and fairness, either procuring recompense for native converts who have been maltreated or despoiled of their property by mobs, or causing chapels to be rebuilt or repaired when torn down or damaged.

At Yeuping-foo the American Methodist mission had occasion to make some alterations and repairs upon their chapel during the last winter, when the obstructive society known as the “Lien-chiah” interfered and stopped the work. This was reported through the consulate to the provincial officers, who at once caused the “Lien-chiah” to retire, and the work was completed without further opposition.

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I have, &c.,