Lyon to Samuel P. Lord, September 21, 1872

Mr. Lyon to Mr. Lord.

Dear Sir: I write to inform you of the result of Tsiang and Yi’s (the natives referred to in his previous letter) visit to the prisoner.

They saw but one of the prisoners, U-zeo-peh, who was confined in the “pau vong” with five other prisoners. U-zeo-peh told them that the official sent word to him yesterday forenoon that if he could produce bail he might now be set at liberty. The same offer was said to have been made to Kwang-zuy-seng, the landlord of my property. It is evidently the policy of the officials to come off with “flying colors,” and to avoid every possible appearance of having in the least yielded to the pressure from the consuls.

I think that if the men have still to give bail for their good conduct, then we have gained nothing by negotiation.

I suppose Mr. Houston has already informed you of the way the proclamations were posted on the wall outside his gate, and the important parts mutilated the same night.

In the Jin-ho district the proclamations were all brought to us and left with us to post in our chapel. In this way the issuing of the proclamations is a mere nominal compliance of the officials with your request, while in the eye of the people the consuls have been sent home in disgrace.

Then there seems to be a general understanding between officials and people, so that I am quite sure, should any disturbance occur, the disturbers would be rewarded instead of punished.

It is apparent to the people that the officials are displeased with our presence here, and this emboldens them to do what they would not dare to do under other circumstances.

I have nothing further at present to suggest, but trust you may have the blessing and guidance of God in your action in regard to the affair.

Yours, &c.,