Frederick F. Low to Hamilton Fish, December 27, 1870

Mr. Low to Mr. Fish

Sir: A short time since a report came to me from Tientsin that the people there were preparing to give to the men that were executed for participation in the riot of last summer, a grand public funeral, and that funds were being collected to erect a tablet or temple to their memory. While it appeared desirable in every respect that the proper authorities should endeavor to prevent such proceedings, it did not seem to be a case in which a formal official protest by myself or my colleagues would be proper or becoming. I deemed it advisable, however, to send Mr. Williams to the Foreign Office with a verbal message pointing out the danger to be apprehended from a large popular assemblage such as would be collected at the funeral, and the evil effect the news of such proceedings would have abroad, and advising the government to take such measures as should be by the proper officers deemed advisable to put a stop to it. At the same time the vice-consul at Tientsin was instructed to call upon the viceroy and make similar friendly representations to him. Herewith I have the honor to inclose copy of a dispatch from the vice-consul giving a report of his interview with the viceroy, and the assurances of the latter that the proceedings contemplated will not be allowed to take place. This matter is important, chiefly as exhibiting the temper of the people of Tientsin, and I should not have troubled you with any reference to it but for the fact that the rumor, when it reaches Shanghai, will probably be seized upon and given undue prominence in the newspapers, and have the effect to keep alive the fears and apprehensions of the foreign community.

I have, &c.,