Edward Stanley to B. B. Taylor, August 12, 1870

B.

Dear Sir: Among the many reports now in circulation, one came to my knowledge, a day or two ago, which seems to me worthy of attention. My informant, I may say, is an intelligent person, who formerly occupied the position of city magistrate in Spansi. For some months back he has been attending my chapels in the city, and expressed a conviction of the truth of what we teach some time previous to the recent outbreak. He is in no way connected with us, however, and still visits, as before, among his former official friends, and may be supposed to know something of their views and feelings. His manner impressed me from the first as being that of an honest Chinaman, and I have reason to believe he expressed his honest convictions, and desires our welfare. Time will show whether his views are just. He confirms a statement I heard, a few days since, that Li-Hung-Chang is on his way here with some 13,000 troops; the van of this army has arrived already. Li is simply a military mandarin, and his presence is only wanted where there is, or is to be, fighting. So say others. He says, further, that the government does not wish to go to war; that it is willing to execute any number of the “roughs,” and banish the officials whose heads have been demanded by his excellency Count Rochechouart; but they cannot be executed according to Chinese law: hence, as a last resort, in view of this demand, war is determined on. The people demand it, without a thought of the final result, They think they can easily expel or kill the few foreigners in China, especially in the north, and their work is done. Hence, an imperial decree has gone forth for preparations for a general rising against foreigners. He firmly believes it will take place; at any rate, he knows of extensive preparations making here, which will burst upon us as suddenly as the events of the 21st of June. No reference is made to the French, as such, but to foreigners. He is earnest in pressing his advice that the missionaries leave at once, as the danger is increasing daily, and the crisis is near at hand, viz., August 21 and 22. He expresses great surprise at the apparent indifference of foreigners, when such a crisis is on us, in not collecting a large force of troops here. He says the Chinese force numbers some 40,000 or 50,000 troops, and that the preparations are very extensive; these complete, and the attack begins without warning.

All the above is confirmed by a school teacher, who came to see me last evening, to give warning and offer any assistance in his power. He has been a frequent attendant at my chapel for months. He also speaks of one Ting I (or Jim) Chang, brother of the present Toutai of Tien-tsin, who is on his way here, with a large body of men, from Kiang Su. This is confirmed by a native Christian, just in from the country, who reported the same to me this morning. He also urges us to leave. As regards preparations, the suddenness of the attack, the time, and the universality as regards foreigners, all accounts agree.

Remembering the skepticism with which all reports were received previous to the massacre, reports even less definite than we are now receiving, and the final result, I would suggest, if I may be so bold, the propriety of a constant watch being kept at points exposed and good for observation. Precautionary measures are never out of place, and may save foreigners’ lives.

I have the honor, &c., &c.,