Prince Kung to Wells Williams, November 8, 1873

Prince Kung to Mr. Williams.

Prince Kung, chief secretary of state for foreign affairs, herewith makes a reply.

I received your excellency’s dispatch relating to the local bands of marauders about Newchwang, which were robbing and levying black-mail at the stations they had lawlessly established; and, as I have already informed yon, sent orders immediately, in response to your request, to the authorities to adopt measures for suppressing and punishing these men.

On the 2d instant I received a dispatch from the superintendent of the northern ports, covering a report from the intendant at Newchwang, stating as follows:

“Careful examination has been made for many days past, and no unauthorized stations can be found where black-mail has been extorted from wayfarers and traders. Formerly, as it was currently reported here that in Liao-yang, in those parts of the prefecture lying along the river Liao, were found many robbers, who waylaid travelers and stopped the grain on its way to market, letting them go when their demands were complied with, I immediately requested the military authorities to detail some troops to arrest them, and issued my orders to all the local magistrates of every grade at once to exert themselves to take and punish all offenders. I have now heard that the marauders have all dispersed, the roads and rivers are all open, and travelers or traders can everywhere pass as usual. As I report these things I may add that general orders have been given to the various magistrates and the foreign-drilled troops, to really exert themselves to maintain order and arrest evil-doers.”

Having received the above, I can do no better than to send a copy of it for your information.

His Excellency S. Wells Williams, United States Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.