John Russell Young to Monday , December 10, 1883 . As this dispatch has been detained over Sunday for interpreter’s translations, I will gladly add that to-day crowds are gathered at the walls reading excellent proclamations from Commissioner Pang and from the magistrates, enjoining order, tranquillity, industry, and good treatment to foreigners. C. S, January 21, 1884

No. 35. Mr. Young to Mr. Frelinghuysen.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your information certain correspondence between the legation and our consul at Canton, which I am sure you will read with pain.

The continuance of a spirit of unrest and mutiny in Canton, so far as foreigners are concerned, is a grave circumstance.

You will note that an incendiary proclamation, purporting to come from the imperial commissioner Pang, breathing antipathy and bitterness towards foreigners, was allowed to circulate throughout Canton for two days. The viceroy afterwards disavowed it, and I am informed has issued proclamations of an assuring character. Copies of these have these have not reached the legation.

I made an earnest representation to the yamên on the subject of this proclamation, and said to the ministers that if, as a consequence of its indiscreet and inflammatory terms, neither withdrawn nor disavowed by the viceroy for two days, there had been another riot like that in the Shameen, the legation would have a strong argument for contending that the riot was an official and not a popular outbreak, and that China should pay not only direct but consequential damages. This view I expressed in a dispatch to Mr. Seymour, inclosure No. 3, requesting him to give it to the viceroy as the opinion of the legation.

* * * * * * *

This difficulty, however, attends all political events in China at the present time, and adds immeasurably to the embarrassments of the situation, not alone so far as the foreigners, but even the Chinese authorities, like the viceroy of Canton, who wish to do justly towards foreigners, are concerned.

I have, &c.,

A.

I, Pang, imperial commissioner, do hereby publicly notify that as France is seeking or causing trouble which may result in war, it is necessary that we should make due preparations against any calamity or calamities.

That as foreign nations have had trade with China for years, and as our great Emperor always considers that foreigners who came from a long distance and Chinese a& one family, whereby every one may be benefited by interests in trade, and as there is no false idea or pretension among them, they would wholly enjoy peace and observe treaties.

That, as all foreign nations must have seen and known, China does not wish, on account of trivial or trifling matters, to make war.

But as the French entertain ill feeling, and know that Annam has for generations past paid tribute to China, yet they, depending upon their strength to insult a weak, nation, and that in violation of treaty, they have inaugurated war by use of soldiers against Annam.

China has for a long time wished to comply with applications and send assistance to Annam; but fearing friendly relations might thereby be disturbed, has therefore refrained from sending such assistance.

In former months the French minister, Tricou, arrived at Tien-Tsin in a French man-of-war, stating that a large fleet of French war ships will come to Canton and cause injuries.

This, however, is a mere ruse upon the part of the French to frighten, and their cunning tricks cannot be ascertained.

My great Emperor became wrath at this, and sent me to Canton to assume military command here; now I have brought together both land and sea forces, and to see what measures can be taken.

If they come with troops we will at once fight with France.

The outbreak rests upon France, which took the first step, and therefore we are-obliged to make efforts for our defense.

I hope other nations will know or determine which is in the right and which is in the wrong.

Considering or whereas that if fighting begins on the seas, merchant ships would, not come, and therefore commerce with foreign nations will be interrupted.

As Chinese troops cannot recognize, distinguish, or discriminate between the flags of foreign nations, that in event of a future war the merchant vessels of other nations, happening to pass in the vicinity of strife might be mistaken by Chinese soldiers and people for those of the enemy, and thereby complications may occur.

Considering that all foreign merchants have with great difficulty crossed the large ocean to come to China, although the manner of conducting the various branches of trade by Chinese and foreigners is different, yet the object (making profit)is the same.

It is not proper treatment to those who come from a distance if we do not beforehand notify them, so they might guard against approaching or future calamities in. the event of war.

Besides having asked the Emperor to instruct the tsung-li yamên to inform the ministers of foreign nations, I now issue this notice for the general information of foreign merchants, that they should beforehand remove out of port (or harbor) merchandise or property, thus to escape the danger of war, if France is inclined to be the aggressor and send troops to give battle.

During the contest between China and France all vessels of other nations must conform to international law.

A ship or cargo taken as a prize, the nation in question cannot accuse us of wrong.

In all places where the French take hostile action for any merchandise belonging to foreign merchants destroyed by fire or pillaged, the nation will have to demand indemnity from France, and cannot demand it from China.

By reason of one nation violating the treaty the commerce of other nations will be involved, and thus the fault rests upon the one causing the trouble; and all nations will discriminate justly in the matter.

I sincerely publish this proclamation with the hope of notifying the merchants of all nationalities, that they may understand and take precautions, and thus prevent being entangled in difficulties.

(Sold and circulated in Canton, Tuesday, 4th, Wednesday, 5th, and Thursday, 6th December, 1883.)

Viceroy Chang to Mr. Seymour.

C.

Chang, viceroy of the two Kwangs, sends the following communication in reply to the consul:

Upon the 7th day of the 11th moon of the 9th year of Kwang Hsui (December 6, 1883) the viceroy received a dispatch from the consul. [Here the contents of the dispatch are quoted in full.]

The viceroy would state that yesterday he had heard of the disturbance made by some lawless people toward a chapel which is situated at Ng-Shin-Moon, near the river, and as was stated in the dispatch under acknowledgment.

The viceroy has consequently directed the local authorities (both civil and military) to take soldiers and proceed with them to that vicinity and maintain order there.

Subsequently those officials informed the viceroy that they had maintained order and dispersed the crowd, and that everything is quiet and restored to peace. However, the viceroy gave strict instructions to these officials that they should at all times inquire and give protection in case of need, thereby to maintain peace among natives and foreigners.

With regard to the proclamation which you said had been sold about in the streets for two days, and which has produced much uneasiness and general excitement, the viceroy would state that all proclamations which are issued by the officials in China should bear the official seal upon them before they are published, and that upon examining the inclosed proclamation the viceroy found it was printed by the people and secretly sold amongst them; thus it will be understood that it affords insufficient proof to be considered genuine.

Upon receipt of the foregoing dispatch the viceroy at once instructed the Namhai and Poon Iu magistrates and the prefect of Ouang Chow that they should at all times inquire into, arrest, and strictly prohibit the publishing of any such false notice.

It is deemed proper that the viceroy should send this in reply to the consul, for his information.

Kwang Hsui, 9th year, 11th moon, 7th day (December 6, 1888).

Memorandum, December 10, 1883, by consul.

A subsequent dispatch from the viceroy assured protection to the American Presbyterian chapel and school, and another “and later dispatch from the viceroy reports directions to the magistrates to issue proclamations to protect the native Christians and their hall.

Proclamations have been made as desired, not only by magistrates but by the imperial commissioner.

Rev. Mr. Happer to Mr. Seymour.

note.

My Dear Mr. Seymour: The commissioner Pang has issued a proclamation. Part of it is in the same tenor as the Namhai’s; says the Government and foreigners are at peace; no one must stir up strife; calls upon all the Chinese to attend to their usual business in question. I will get a copy to-morrow morning; now it is surrounded by a crowd, so cannot copy. It may be on sale before night.

Yours,