Scruggs to G. F. Seward, March 24, 1880

Mr. Scruggs to Mr. Seward.

Sir: I had the honor to receive, on the 21st instant, your dispatch No. 63, of the 27th February last. In response thereto, I regret to say there is not a school of any kind, native or foreign public or private, secular or religious, within this district, in which Chinese are educated by foreign methods or in foreign knowledge. The missionary schools are all conducted in the native language, and their curriculum confined to purely religious and sectarian instruction. A few young men among the native residents of this port take lessons in the English language from a native interpreter educated at Hong-Kong, but now employed herein the customs service. But they seek to know no more of our language than is barely necessary to aid them in business tranactions with foreigners; and what they do thus acquire is little else than the barbarous and childish dialect known as “Pigeon English.” I know of but one exception, and that is the case of General Wong, the military commandant here, an educated Chinaman, who is ambitious to enter the diplomatic service of his country.

I am, &c.,