HOUSTON, Southern Presbyterian Mission to E. C. Lord, October 8, 1873

Rev. M. H. Houston to Mr. Lord.

Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the estimate of indemnity to be paid this mission in consideration of its present location on the hill being given up in exchange for another. As I wrote you in my letter of the 2d instant, I was assisted in preparing the estimate by the advice of Mr. Moule and Mr. Lyon, of this city, especially of the former, and you will see that both of these gentlemen indorse the estimate as, in their opinion, just and reasonable. I mentioned to you in my letter that the amount of the estimate, as calculated according to the plan recommended to me by Mr. Moule, really exceeded the amount of the estimate now submitted; but as my colleague and I had at first agreed on the latter amount as being a sufficient indemaity, I thought it best to leave it at this figure. Mr. Moule, who has had more experience in building than any other foreigner in Haug-chow, remarked to me yesterday that he thought the amount mentioned in the estimate was the very least that would be required to put the mission in as good a position as it is now. You may, therefore, regard the estimate which is now submitted as giving the minimum that the mission would consider it just to receive; and if the Chinese are disposed to deal fairly with us, as your letters to us have led us to trust they are, I do not see how they can demur to giving us all that is here claimed.

I inclose herewith the name of a locality where there is a vacant piece of ground, which would suit our purposes. It is on the plain, in a quiet part of the city, and is more than half a mile from the office of the lieutenant-governor, which is the nearest of the government offices. I know of no reason why the Chinese should object to our having this for our new location.

I would ask your attention to the last item of the estimate, that which proposes to include your traveling expenses and your fees. The sum annexed to this item is, I take it, manifestly too small, and I put it in this way that you might change it, and of course with it the amount of the estimate, as may seem to you proper.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,