JOHN MACINTYRE, Mission of United Presbyterian Church, Scotland to W. A. Cornabé, October 15, 1874

Mr. MacIntyre to Mr. Cornabé.

W. A Cornabé, Esq.:

My Dear Sir: I shall take it kind if you will express my thanks in the proper quarter, where it is due, for the protection and immunity from insult, which, as a British subject, I have this summer enjoyed, through the successful management of the Chimi affair, One has to go but a short way into the interior to find even district magistrates affecting ignorance of most important provisions of the treaty; and under such circumstances it is but natural that the common people should look upon the foreigner as an unauthorized intruder, and refuse to exercise toward us that courtesy which so eminently characterizes the Chinese nation. I have been long convinced that only one step remained to be taken to put all classes upon their good behavior, and that is, an official notification by every prefect and district magistrate Such as that so happily issued at Che-foo last July.

The Chinese are a people willing to be governed, and, with good governors, few nations would even now surpass them in order and behavior. Let the Chinese authorities, therefore, but declare the provisions of the treaty, giving the people honestly to understand that they themselves shall see the same enforced, and there will be an end to this shuffling policy on the part of individual magistrates, and to the uncertainty on the part of the people. As to the status of the foreigner, it has hitherto been too often impossible for a district magistrate to act fairly towards him, lest it should prejudice him with his superiors, and present him in an unpatriotic aspect to the common people. For the same reason influential civilians must either forego intercourse with educated foreigners or enjoy it under circumstances which counterbalance its advantages I have repeatedly heard such sentiments from the Chinese themselves since the Taotai’s proclamation was issued. The proclamation has been well received over the entire district, and more than one influential person has declared that we ought from the first to have been furnished with such a document, or before ever we came into the inter or. I think it due to say that the Chinese authorities have acted most honorably in the matter. Not only has the proclamation received every publicity, but the people clearly understand that it must be respected.

I n need not say how much this has contributed to my personal comfort, sojourning, as I do, many days’ journey from the seaport. But I rejoice now in the higher consideration that the Chinese authorities have taken such a worthy step in the direction of good government.

I am yours, very sincerely,