Moule , C to P. S.—The only mission in connection with which I hear of proscriptions is Mr. McCarthy ’s. I believe he has purchased no property, September 3, 1873

Mr. Moule to Mr. Lord.

My Dear Sir: Last evening I met, informally, all the American missionaries at present in Hangchow to confer on the recent action of the mandarins, of which you will, no doubt, receive detailed accounts from Mr. Houston and others, in suddenly arresting certain Chinese who have been engaged in selling or mortgaging land to foreign missionaries.

We are unanimous in thinking the case a most serious one; and, although it is possible that one single mission has, inadvertently, specially excited the hostility of the mandarins, the arrests, which have either been made or threatened, include persons who have sold property to all or nearly all of the others.

For our own (the C. M. S.) mission I propose to make a representation to the British consul as soon as I have explicit information of the actual arrest of persons who have sold property to us.

Meantime, as it is thought desirable that you should be assured of our unanimity in viewing the present emergency as critical for us all, I have asked Mr. Houston to be good enough to inclose these few lines with his communication to you.

I am, &c.,