John Russell Young to Frelinghuysen, March 21, 1884

No. 39. Mr. Young to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose, for your information, a correspondence between the legation and the consul at Canton.

It is a gratification to know that the cases at issue have been adjusted to the satisfaction of the missionaries whose rights had been in peril. I could not, however, refrain from expressing the shadow of a regret that the settlement did not, in addition to the money payment, carry with it a guarantee from the viceroy that efforts would be made to deter the lawless people from further outrages. Such a guarantee I would have found in the arrest of the principal offenders and the issue of a proper proclamation.

As, in reference to the Ngchow case, I received from Prince Kung, in August, an assurance that orders had been sent to arrange it on terms satisfactory to the legation, and as I now learn from Mr. Seymour that the question remains in abeyance, I have sent him a copy of the prince’s dispatch and requested him to confer with the viceroy.

I have, &c.,

Copy of a section of the report of missions in Canton and Southern China adopted at the annual meeting of the American Presbyterian missionaries held in Canton February 19, 1884, and mailed to their board in America per steamer of 21st ultimo, as per copy sent to the United States consulate in Canton by the secretary of the American Presbyterian mission.

B.

“At one time the chapels were threatened by a mob, and would doubtless have been demolished but for the prompt and independent action of the American consul, the Hon. Charles Seymour; and the mission takes this opportunity of expressing its high appreciation of the efficiency of this worthy officer of our Government in thus exerting himself, without being importuned, for the protection of mission property.”