John A. T. Meadows to Frederick F. Low, December 22, 1870
Mr. Meadows to Mr. Low
Sir: On the 20th instant I called on Li-Hong-Chang, the viceroy, and brought on the subject of your last letter to me in regard to the report current at Peking, “that the people of Tientsin are preparing to give the beheaded martyrs a grand funeral, and that a memorial tablet or temple will be erected to their memory.”
His excellency said that shortly after the executions a rumor was current in Tientsin that it was the intention of the people to erect a tsze-tang, (which we may, in this case, translate by the words a “sacrificial temple,”) dedicated to the memory of the executed men, but that on the rumor reaching his ears, he at once called the prefect and magistrate (Chefoo and Chehsien) to him and ordered them to rigorously prevent any such action on the part of the inhabitants, if they actually contemplated it. He further added that the men had been punished in accordance with the laws of China, for the killing of foreigners, and as Chinese and foreigners were one family it could never be permitted by the territorial authorities that the people of Tien-tsin should be allowed to erect a tsze-tang to their memories; and if the attempt was made he himself, as the viceroy, would personally proceed to the spot and pull the building down.
On no account would it be permitted by the territorial officers. It was, however, he was sure, never the intention of the respectable inhabitants of Tientsin to do any such thing, and that rumor arose, he was confident, from some utterances of the lower orders, who were congregated at the place of execution. I am confident in the opinion that the viceroy would not allow the inhabitants of Tien-tsin to erect any such tsz-tang or temple as mentioned in your letter of 15th instant. I told the viceroy that I would report his words to your excellency, and I further added that you might be passing through Tientsin next spring on your way to the southern ports, which you had not yet visited. He said he would be very glad to see you if you came to Tientsin.
I am, &c.,