LI HUNG-CHANG, Viceroy of Chihli to the consuls, May 19, 1875

Governor Chang to the consuls.

J. Mongan, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul,

C. Dillon, Esq., Consul for France,

E. T. Sheppard, Esq., United States Consul,

C. Wæber, Esq., Acting Consul-General, Russia,

C. Bismarck, Esq., Consul for Germany, Tien-tsin.

Gentlemen: I duly received your joint note of the 15th instant, referring to a picture portraying most detestable falsehoods in representation of the Tien-tsin affair of 1870, which picture had been found among some exhibited by a showman in a public fair held at Ching-chai-wu, in the Ning-Ching district, and unitedly requesting me to take action with regard thereto. I would observe that when the picture known as the “San-chă-ho-kŏu” was exhibited for sale in Tien-tsin last year, I repeatedly directed the local Tao-tai and prefect to seize and burn every copy of it found in stock in the picture-stores, and to cut up the blocks, the Taotai also to issue a stringent prohibitory proclamation on the subject. As the result of those measures no pictures of that description have since been found in Tien-tsin. In the present instance, where a similar picture has been found exhibited by a showman at a fair in the Ning-Ching district, the offender must unquestionably have been a simple-minded and ignorant person. I was much surprised on hearing of this matter, and concluded that it occurred in an out-of-the-way place, where the circumstances would not come within the cognizance of the officials. I have ordered the Tien-tsin Taotai and the customs Taotai to send deputies to the place mentioned, and there join with the local magistrate in a thorough search for these pictures and their blocks, destroying all that may be found, and punishing the possessors according to law. Also to issue interdictory proclamations enjoining local officials to make inquiries from time to time, and check the circulation of idle stories among the rustic population. These measures are calculated for the mutual welfare of Chinese and foreigners. With reference to your remark that Chinese officials, either openly or secretly, connive at such matters, I think that such is not the case within the jurisdiction of Chihli, and that you should dismiss such suspicions from your minds.

I avail, &c., &c.

Card and compliments of