Prince Kung to Benj. P. Avery, June 15, 1875

Prince Kung to Mr. Avery.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a communication in reply:

Upon the 5th of June I had the honor to receive a communication from your excellency, stating that you had received information that citizens of your country had suffered ill-treatment at the hands of the people of Shui-chang, within the treaty-limits of Kiu-kiang, and that the local official had not adjusted the case; and your excellency asks that orders be issued for a prompt settlement. Your excellency further remarks that you shall counsel your nationals not to go where the people are unwilling to receive them, in order to avoid trouble, &c.

It appears to the prince that these cases between the Chinese and missionaries are not all alike. If your excellency will, according to your statement, notify the missionaries not to go to places where the natives are unwilling to receive them, it will be an evidence of your excellency’s consideration and sincere friendship for which I shall be exceedingly grateful.

Regarding this case, I have already received a dispatch from the superintendent of trade for the southern ports, covering a report from the customs Tao-tai at Kin-Kiang, stating that the case was settled. On receipt of your excellency’s communication, I forwarded a copy to the superintendent of trade for the southern ports, and have ordered the local authorities to make most careful investigation into the real facts in the case, and I so report to your excellency.