Her Britannic Majesty’s Acting Consul Hance to Governor-General Chang, November 21, 1884

Her Britannic Majesty’s Acting Consul Hance to Governor-General Chang.

Your Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that I recently bought a pam phlet (which was being sold in the streets) containing the draft of a memorial written by you, the governor-general, the Junior Guardian P’eng and Governor Ni, and that on opening it I found that it contained a paragraph relating to Christian converts. I do trot know whether this draft is genuine or not, but if in the midst of the people [such a work] is printed and sold both within and without the city, ignorant people seeing it will regard converts to the Christian religion with feelings of hatred. If [the people] reflect that [the teaching] originates with foreigners the evil [feelings] will be turned on the foreign officials, merchants, and others who reside in the province, and thus disturbances of the peace can easily take place.

Now that the licentiate examinations are taking place the provincial capital is necessarily full of people, and I fear that disturbances could be easily caused. I, the acting consul, being desirous that Chinese and foreigners should live in peace together, am of opinion that precautions should be taken, and therefore have the honor to request you, the governor-general, to direct your subordinates to prevent the draft of this memorial being sold in every place; thus preserving peace between Chinese and foreigners.

I inclose a copy of the pamphlet for your inspection.

I have, &c.,