LORD, United States Consul to Koo, Intendant of Circuit, Ningpo, October 28, 1873

Mr. Lord to Koo, intendant of circuit

Sir: On the 25th ultimo I had the honor of receiving your excellency’s dispatch of that date, informing me that you had received a communication from his excellency Yang, the lieutenant-governor, in which he states: “I have received a petition from the gentry of Hang-chow to the effect that,” &c., &c., and requesting me, in accordance with the instructions contained in said communication, to bring the matter referred to before the missionaries, and use my endeavors to induce them to consent to remove, in order to meet the wishes of the people and promote harmony. To this communication I replied at the time.

I have now to inform you that I arrived in this city on the 11th instant, since when I have been daily occupied, in connection with the two missionaries, Messrs. Houston and Helm, and the commissioners, Messrs. Ch’ăn and Chu, in selecting a building site for said missionaries. The place we have fixed upon is in the jurisdiction of the Jăn-hwo magistrate, lying in the division called Wei-so, northwest of the T’ien Ham-chow bridge, and measuring about 10 mow, (1⅔ English acres,) as measured by an agent sent from the office of the district magistrate, ground that belonged to the people. At the request of the gentry the district magistrate has made out the deed of conveyance, which has been handed to me, and which I have delivered to the missionaries. The title-deeds held by the missionaries to the property on the hill have been given up to the commissioners, to be delivered to the lieutenant-governor. In regard to the indemnity to be paid the missionaries for expenses attending their removal, and cost of rebuilding their houses, although at first, while at Ningpo, I expressed the opinion that it might be $5,000 or more, yet, since coming to Hang-chow, observing the extent of their buildings and examining the accounts relating to them, I find that their claim amounts to $11,000. And I have to request that you will communicate this fact to his excellency the lieutenant-governor, with the request that he will direct the gentry to pay into my hands this amount, that I may hand it over to the missionaries, that they may he enabled at once to commence erecting their buildings.

As soon as the missionaries are able to remove from their present position on the hill I will inform you, that directions may be given to the commissioners to receive and take charge of the buildings and appurtenances thereto.

Respectfully requesting your attention to the contents of this letter, and the communication of the same to his excellency the lieutenant-governor, I have the honor, &c., &c.,