Frederick F. Low to Hamilton Fish, December 15, 1870

Mr. Low to Mr. Fish

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that a careful estimate of the loss and damage sustained by the North China Branch of the American Board of Foreign Missions, by the action of the mob at Tien-tsin, on the 21st of June last, fixed the amount at 4,785 19/100 Tien-tsin taels, about $6,700.

The property destroyed consisted of one chapel building, with rooms adjoining suitable for a residence, the property of the society, and another small chapel in another part of the city, which was rented of the Chinese. The damage to the latter was estimated at 285 50/100 taels.

The vice-consul, at Tien-tsin, by my authority and direction, presented the claim to the local authorities; and a settlement was made by their agreeing to rebuild the rented premises in a manner satisfactory to the owner, and the payment in money of the claim for damages to the larger chapel. This has all been done to my entire satisfaction. For more full particulars in regard to the adjustment of the claim, and the disposition of the funds, I beg to refer you to the vice-consul’s dispatch to me, a copy of which accompanies this, (inclosure A.)

With reference to the additional claim mentioned by Mr. Meadows in his dispatch, which is preferred by the Rev. Mr. Stanley for losses and damage sustained by native Christians, and my decision upon this as well as upon all claims of a similar character, I have, most respectfully, to refer you to my dispatch to the vice-consul, a copy of which forms the inclosure D in my dispatch No. 40, of December 5th, to the Department. The settlement of this matter adjusts all legal and proper claims for losses or damages sustained by citizens of the United States in consequence of the riot at Tientsin, so far as I am at present informed.

Trusting that my action in the premises will receive the approval of the President, I have, &c,,