Frederick F. Low to Frederick F. Low , United States, October 25, 1870

Mr. Low to Mr. Fish

Sir: In my No. 31, of the 26th of September, you were informed that the chargé d’affaires of France had called his colleagues together and made known to them the punishment which this government proposed to inflict upon those who were engaged in the massacre at Tien-tsin. He also stated that, at the time the communication was made he was asked, in rather an imperious manner, if the proposition was satisfactory. His reply, as stated to his colleagues, was that in the present disturbed condition of his country he did not feel at liberty to speak for the government of France on so grave a matter, and that, as the punishment of the guilty had such a direct bearing upon the security of all foreign residents, it seemed in every respect desirable for him to assemble his colleagues and solicit their opinions before making any reply to the question submitted.

The manner in which the propositions were made, and the fact that M. Rochechouart had unwisely, as I thought, made known to the officials in advance his intention of submitting the question to his colleagues, left no other course open for them to pursue, except to express their approval or disapproval without qualification or explanation. In view of these considerations it was deemed advisable for the representatives of Great Britain, Russia, Prussia, and the United States to address a joint note to Prince Kung, expressing their dissent from the conclusions to which the government had arrived as to the proper measure of punishment which was necessary to inflict for such a crime, leaving it to the Chinese to decide what, if any, further action it might be proper and expedient for them to take. A copy of the joint note is herewith inclosed, (inclosure A.)

To this Prince Kung replied, (inclosure B,) intimating that the investigation and trials were closed, and that as soon as the sentences were formally pronounced, the result would be officially communicated to all the legations. He also begged to assure us that ample protection would be afforded to all foreign residents.

The two imperial decrees (inclosures C and D,) confirming the sentences of the criminals and ordering them to be carried into effect immediately, and my reply acknowledging their receipt, (inclosure E,) also accompany this.

As a measure of precaution against a recurrence of trouble at Tientsin during the approaching winter, the governor general has been ordered by the Emperor (inclosure F) to remain there until further orders; and I learn, unofficially, of the contemplated removal of the capital of the province from Paoting-fu to Tien-tsin, so that the chief magistrate of the province will be more accessible in case of real or apprehended trouble, and thus be able to preserve a better understanding between natives and foreigners.

The report of the acting French consul at Tien-tsin, of which the chargé d’affaires has kindly allowed me to take a copy, (inclosure G,) will furnish you with full particulars of the execution of sixteen criminals, and the state of feeling resulting from it.

He also gives his opinion as to the effect which these convictions and executions are likely to produce upon the people generally, which, I regret to say, differ widely from what I had hoped.

I trust the effect will be better than he anticipates. But whatever may be the result in Tientsin and in its immediate vicinity, I am persuaded that the knowledge that these criminals have been punished will add to the security of foreigners in places more remote from the scene of their trial and execution.

The remaining four under sentence of death were convicted of the murder of three Russians. Their execution is, I am informed, delayed at the special request of the Russian consul general, in the hope that their testimony may be useful in the conviction of others charged with complicity in the massacre.

A careful review of all that has transpired in connection with this affair—the timidity and vacillation of the officials; the delay and uncertainty attending the arrest and trial of the offenders; the fear of trouble and riotous proceedings at their execution; the extreme caution exercised in the preparation for and the secrecy of the execution—illustrates most painfully the weakness of the government when called upon to perform a duty in opposition to public opinion, and enables somewhat of a just estimate to be made of the embarrassments which surround the prince and his associates in their dealings with foreign nations.

The natural result of this is, I am led to view their action, or rather inaction, with more leniency than those do who know less of the difficulties with which the members of the Foreign Office have to contend.

Chunghow, who was some time since appointed ambassador to France, for the purpose of offering a suitable apology, and affording such reparation as might be reasonably demanded, is making preparations for his departure. Before he leaves I expect to be placed in possession of a copy of his instructions and the substance of the propositions which he will be authorized to make to the government of France in satisfaction for the outrages committed at Tien-tsin, which will be forwarded in a future dispatch.

I have, &c.,

B.

Prince Kung, chief secretary for foreign affairs, herewith sends a reply.

I had the honor to receive the joint note of the 24th instant addressed to me by your excellencies, in which you state that Mr. Rochechouart, chargé d’affaires of France, had informed you at a meeting, which he had called for general consultation, of the decision which had been come to in regard to the punishment of the murderers in June last of the French officials and subjects at Tientsin; and that you consider this decision, reached three months after the events, as entirely unsatisfactory and very far from giving that assurance of general security to all foreigners living in China, which they require.

You are already aware that His Majesty appointed Tsang Kwohfan, then governor general of this province, and others with him, to secretly search out and arrest the persons concerned in the riot, and execute those who had been tried and found guilty of murder; and also to take the depositions of the prefect and magistrate of Tien-tsin, who were so remiss in their duty, with all the evidence that could be obtained, and send it with the prisoners to the board of punishments, where they would be tried and sentenced. All this surely is proof that he wishes to act with strict justice in the matter.

The safety of foreigners residing in China will also be assured, for the people everywhere will notice how the murderers at Tien-tsin have been dealt with, and will not be desirous to experience the last penalty of the law on their own bodies, while local officials in every place will mark how those at Tientsin have been arrested and punished for their remissness in duty, and take warning to prevent like excesses.

When their cases and all relating to this affair are settled, His Majesty will issue a general mandate to all the high provincial officers to strictly enjoin on every local magistrate to protect the foreigners, so that hereafter it is to be hoped that they and the natives can live together peaceably. As soon as the cases of the prisoners are concluded, and I have received the commands of the Emperor, I will again communicate with your excellencies.

Baron Rehfues, Minister of the North German Confederation; Hon. Frederick F. Low, Minister of the United States; Eug. Butzow, Russian Chargé d’Affaires; Thomas F. Wade, C. B., British Chargé d’Affaires.

C.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication.

The following imperial decree has this day been received:

When the quarrel arose at Tien-tsin between the citizens and the Roman Catholics, the prefect, Chang Kwang-tsao, and the district magistrate, Liu Kieh, neither took any precautionary measures to guard against the outbreak, nor exerted themselves after it occurred to speedily arrest the guilty persons concerned in it, in consequence of which orders were then transmitted to degrade them both, and deliver them to the board of punishments for trial and condemnation. Subsequent to this Tsang Kwoh-fan and his colleagues having taken their depositions in full, sent them to the custody of that board at Peking. The officers in this tribunal have now reported upon their case, saying: The statutes provide that when seditious people stir up a riot, the civil officers who cannot suppress it and allay the discontent, are to be degraded; if their offense is aggravated, they are to be banished to the army, and subjected to hard labor. As the circumstances of this case are very serious the board requests particular orders as to the increased sentence to be inflicted upon them.

Seeing that these two magistrates were intrusted with the government of the city of Tientsin, and when the people gathered in crowds ready for a riot they were inefficient in taking any measures to restrain them, so that the mob seized their opportunity to set fire to houses and kill and wound many people, and afterwards did nothing efficient to immediately seize the guilty actors, their criminality under all the circumstances is exceedingly great. Furthermore, after their degradation, and when they knew that the decree delivering them to the board of punishments for meting out their doom had been issued, the prefect Chang had the presumption to skulk off to Shunteh, (in the south of the province,) and the district magistrate, Liu, to slip away to Mihyun, (near the great wall,) both thereby intending to prolong the matter, and making their contemptuous effrontery more manifest. Let both of them be banished to (Tsitsihar-in) the region of the Amoor River, there to expiate their crimes by hard labor, as a signal warning to law-breakers.

The people of Tient-sin not only have cherished groundless suspicion and stirred up animosity in disregard of their authorities to be quiet, but suddenly went to such a daring length as to kill more than twenty persons; and what was still more atrocious, brutally murdered the Sisters of Charity in their asylum. Tsang Kwoh-fan and his colleagues have seized the guilty participators in the riot, and after clearly ascertaining the degree of their guilt, have sentenced Fung and fourteen others to death, and Wang and twenty others to banishment to the army. Since the sentences accord with the crimes, let them now be carried into effect. Let Fung and the others be immediately executed; and Wang and his party sent by couples to different places of banishment. These severe sentences being carried out, let the local authorities throughout the provinces issue the most peremptory orders to the people to observe the laws, and not again stir up riots. Whatever may arise that concerns both natives and foreigners, let it be managed with justice, and settled according to treaty stipulations. It is henceforth to be hoped that they will both, of whatever calling they may be, now live amicably together, and that the land will be quiet everywhere. Respect this.

I have now the honor to send the above to your excellency for your information.

His Excellency Frederick F. Low, U. S. Minister to China.

D.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication.

I have already informed your excellency that a decree was received on the 6th instant, in relation to the Tientsin affair, in which it was ordered that the severe sentence on the prefect and district magistrate should be strictly carried into effect; that Fung and others, fifteen in all, who stirred up the riot, be executed; and that Wang and twenty others be banished to different regions.

I was honored by receiving a second decree yesterday upon the same matter; “Tsang Kwoh-fan and his colleagues report that they have further examined persons implicated in the riot at Tientsin, and have sentenced them according to their guilt. These persons were arrested after the others, and a list of their names has been sent up, with particulars of the trial, and degrees of punishment to be inflicted. These decisions are approved. Let Liu and the other four be summarily executed, and Táng and the other three be sent into banishment to different places. Respect this.”

With the punishment of these men now arrested in addition. The cabinet ministers Tsang Kwoh-fan and Li Hung-chang report that the trial and sentence (of persons connected with the riot) has been brought to a close; and my object in this communication is to inform you of the same.

F.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication.

I have been this day honored by receiving the following decree:

“Let Li Hung-chang still remain at Tientsin, and not hasten his return to Pao-ting, for (the provincial capital,) as it is important for him to attend to every detail connected with the pacification and repression of disorder there, in order to firmly settle the whole affair; which when done, both in relation to foreigners as well as natives, let him report for further instructions. Respect this.”

In conformity to usage I now send this for your excellency’s information.