Frederick F. Low to Hamilton Fish, June 7, 1873
No. 74. Mr. Low to Mr. Fish.
No. 262.]
Sir: I have the honor to send herewith extracts from two dispatches of the British consul at Tien-tsin to Her Majesty’s minister in Peking; also a sketch showing the location of the new fortifications now in process of erection at Hsin Chêng, (the new military camp between Tientsin and Taku,) and that portion of the river which the new forts will command.
Having visited that locality and made inquiries on the spot, the British consul is able to furnish some additional information, and many interesting particulars in regard to what we already know. The report as a whole agrees with that made to me by Mr. Consul Sheppard, a copy of which went forward with my No. 259 of 22d ultimo.
Within the last few days there have been landed at Tien-tsin two large breech-loading Krupp guns, (said to be 260–pounders,) and 20 field-guns (4 batteries) of same pattern. The two large guns are, I hear, intended for the new fortification at Hsin Chêng.
As to the object of the Chinese in making these extensive military preparations, I have no information in addition to what has already been communicated to the department. I see no reason, however, to modify the opinions contained in previous dispatches on the subject.
I have, &c.,