Petition addressed to Frederick W. Lord, June 15, 1873

Petition addressed to Mr. Lord, United States Consul, Ningpo.

(Received August 5, 1873.)

The undersigned, Wang Ju-lin, Yang Hung-quen, Liu Shih, Hwang Fuh-mou, Luh Yuen-ting, Yang Fu, Chow Kwang-kw’él, and Sun I-shin, of the gentry of Hang-chow, present the following petition:

In consequence of the fung-shuy (or prosperous influences) of this place having been disturbed, and the minds of the people disquieted, your petitioners unite in the earnest request that you will of your clemency permit, and use your influence to effect, the change which will bring about the needed harmony.

Your petitioners regard the hill in Hang-chow, called Kwan-mi, as dominating the prosperous influences of the whole city. Hitherto, although the people have built houses on it, they have been low and small, and occasioned no obstruction to the lookout of the spot. Of late years, persons of the place sold ground to some missionaries of your country on which to erect mission-buildings; and we are well aware that to do so, and propagate religion, is permitted by treaty and cannot be prevented either by officers or people.

Now, the doctrines of geomancy, although not esteemed in the faith of your country, are, in the estimation of the people of China, of the highest value and consequence. Since these buildings were erected many untoward things have occurred among the people, owing, it is generally said, to them; which, as they stand exactly opposite to the great hall of the provincial treasurer’s office, injure and destroy its aspect. Thus the minds of the people have been and continue to be disturbed in a very great degree.

Now, it seems to your petitioners that as the missionaries of your country are anxious to propagate religion they must also be anxious to pacify the people, for when people’s minds are quiet religion can be diffused without limit or bounds. Wherefore we, your petitioners, unitedly pray that you will regard their request, and aid them in effecting the desired removal.

There being much unoccupied land in Hang-chow, your petitioners are willing to procure at their own expense a place such as will be agreeable to the missionaries. They will also, for the expenses necessary to be incurred in rebuilding, pay them the full price of their present buildings.

You, Mr. Consul, have resided long in Ningpo, and are thoroughly acquainted with the customs of the people; your conduct has ever been influenced by a regard for them, and they hold you in grateful remembrance. We therefore intreat you to request the missionaries to consent to exchange their location, in order that the prosperous influences there may be preserved, and the harmonies of the spot carried out. For doing this, our gratitude will truly be boundless.

A respectful petition,