John Russell Young to Frelinghuysen, December 12, 1884

Mr. Young to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: A conspicuous incident of the affair at Foochow was the gallantry shown by several of the young Chinese students who had been educated in the United States and were afterwards assigned to duty in various branches of the Government service. Five were, as is reported, on the Chinese gunboats during the action at Foochow, and one of them lost his life.

The Department will have learned from my dispatch No. 148, dated March 13, 1883, of the interest which the legation has taken in the fortunes of the young men who studied in the United States, and my deep regrets at the cessation of that educational experiment, whenever occasion served, and it could be done in a becoming manner. I have expressed this regret to the prince and the viceroy, in the hope that I might revive an interest in the subject and persuade the Government to send more students and perhaps establish the system on a permanent basis.

The main objection to the education of the young Chinese in America was the allegation that they became denationalized; they forgot the customs and even the language of their own country, and returned Americans in feeling and not Chinamen. This was an argument that I could not answer, except by the general assertion of my belief that the more thoroughly acquainted Chinamen became with the literature, science, arts, and laws of the United States the better it would be for China.

When it appeared, therefore, at Foochow, that these “denationalized” students had shown conspicuous bravery and patriotism; that an education in America had really made them able to render their country an essential service, I brought the matter again to the attention of the prince and the viceroy in an informal conversation. His highness saw the force of the illustration, which events made it in my power to advance, and gave me to understand that the question of reviving the educational system in America would, as soon as French affairs were adjusted, have his careful and most favorable consideration.

After the conversation I addressed his highness an informal note, in order that the subject may be a matter of record in the legation for the convenience of my successors who may care to revive it. This and the reply of the prince will be found as inclosures to this dispatch.

Trusting that my action will meet with your approval,

I have. &c.,