STANLEY, Missionary American Board , Tien-tsin to F. F. Low, United States, July 9, 1870

A. From Shanghai Courier, July 22, 1870.

Sir: As strenuous efforts are being made by the Chinese authorities and some others to invest the recent occurrences at Tien-tsin with the nature of a popular outbreak and as directed against the Catholics alone, I desire to lay before you some evidence indicating that such is not the case.

It is well known that the rumors at first pointed more especially to the Catholics, particularly to the Sisters of Charity.

It is equally well known that these rumors soon referred to the entire foreign population of Tien-tsin, and that a day was fixed and arrangements made for an attack on the French consulate, Tien-chu-tang, Jên-tsz-tang, and other places in and near the city, viz., the 21st of June, (23d of the 5th moon.) and that the following Friday, June 24, was fixed as the day for attacking the foreign settlement.

Being absent on a mission tour at the time, I found indefinite rumors of an intended attack on the foreign residents of Tien-tsin in circulation about the 25th ultimo at Têh Chow, a city 500 li distant from Tien-tsin. Mr. Hodge, of the English Methodist mission, heard the same at Lau-ling, about 400 li distant, and that the 21st and 24th of June were the days fixed on for the attack. In both cases the event was spoken of as future, and no distinction in the nationality of foreigners was made.

On the morning of the tragic day the Taotai, Futai, and Chih-hsien visited the Tien-chu-tang, and were shown over the entire premises. They made no effort to disperse the great crowd that had followed them and collected in front of the place nor to assure the people that they found no evidence of the foul deeds charged upon the Romanists. It is certain that very soon after their departure the fire-gongs sounded and the attack commenced; that the military officer, Chên-ta-swai, (or Kwo-kui,) arrived with some soldiers and closed the bridge of boats, (which had been opened by order of Chung-ta-jên, to prevent the mob from crossing,) and aided the rabble in its work.

At the sound of the gongs—the usual fire signal—all the fire guilds rushed to arms, instead of seizing their buckets, as ordinarily, and hastened toward the French consulate and Tien-chu-tang. From first to last the members of these fire guilds were among the most active in the work of destruction and death.

The first attack was made on the French consulate, and had actually commenced before the consul went to Chung’s Yamên. Some or all of its inmates—including Mr. Thommasin, secretary of French legation, and wife, just arrived—were murdered before he left the Yamên, and he was murdered on his way back to the consulate in charge of Chung’s escort.

No sooner had the destruction of the French consulate and the Tien-chu-tang been completed than the crowd rushed off to the Jên-tsz tang, where ten Sisters of Charity were subjected to the most horrible death, and their premises burned.

A portion of the mob then made for the Protestant chapels, all of which, eight in number, were despoiled of everything valuable and their walls, in many cases, torn down. A portion of the mob, yelling with rage, started for the foreign settlement, with the avowed purpose of killing all foreigners and sacking the place. We know not what prevented their coming, unless it be that their numbers seemed too few and they would violate the original plan. Three Russians, fleeing from the city, were killed while begging for mercy on the plea, “We are not French!” “No matter, we will kill all foreigners!” was the reply.

An attempt was also made to fire the steeple of the settlement church—a signal, doubtless, for the descent of the mob.

From the first the ruffians have asserted their expectation of aid from the governor general’s army, and it is positively known that soldiers from the Chên-tai Yamên were among the most active in the destruction of the French consulate, Tien-chu-tang, and one of the chapels of the American board; and, as above indicated, that the mob was encouraged, if not directly led, in the attack on the former places, by a military mandarin named Chen. His language, on passing the bridge, was, “Go on, my boys, and burn” (them.)

There is no evidence that the rumor concerning the employment of men by the Sisters to kidnap children for unholy purposes, viz., to get their eyes, hearts, and brains for medicine, is true; nor is there evidence that the consul fired a gun or revolver in Chung’s Yamên. Circumstantial evidence is against both rumors. Probably the exact truth cannot now be ascertained.

I would call attention to the testimony of Yong ü, concerning a visit paid to the burial-place of coffins said to have been brought from the Jên-tsz-t’ang. Others visited the place, and hear a similar testimony. Only one or two were new coffins. They saw, at most, only bones and a little hair, and utterly repudiate the idea of their being recent interments.

Also to the testimony of Yü-chü-lei, concerning the effect on the crowd, as witnessed by himself, when the bugle sounded in the Chen-tai Yarnên. Taken in connection (and only when so taken) with the fact that the soldiers took an active part in pulling down and plundering my chapel, as seen by him and Yang-sien-sêng, and their reported activity in the destruction and murders at other places, this is a significant fact.

I would also direct attention to the incendiary nature of the proclamation, a copy of which I inclosed.†

1. The names “swan,” to hind, and “kwai,” to kidnap, are such as no Chinaman would be likely to select as a cognomen, and give an apocryphal look to the persons.

2. The phrase “commissioned by persons” is exceedingly objectionable, and unbecoming an official in its indefiniteness. The people at once said he referred to the Catholics. He could have hardly put it more ingeniously, considering the state of feeling among the people, in order to excite the populace.

It should be remembered that each fire guild has a head or chief, who is a literary man, and whose name is enrolled in the Yamên. The members of these guilds dare not arm, or participate in any uprising, as in this case, without the knowledge and consent of their chief. Would they dare countenance any such demonstration as this, contrary to the known wishes of the mandarin, or without his knowledge?

The volunteer force “twan lien,” organized years ago, in rebel times, has also a literary man for its chief, whose name is in the Yamên roll. The same may be asked concerning him. Yet the “twan lien” were engaged in the horrid affair.

Little companies of firemen and Yamên retainers had been observed frequently, during the few previous days, collecting here and there, and unpleasant demonstrations made toward native Christians and foreigners. I may instance the case of Mrs. Stanley, the peering into her face, jostling of the crowd against her, and the insulting language used, as early as June 5, Sabbath. Also the case of Mr. and Mrs. Turnock, on Sabbath, 19th June, on their way to one of the chapels. In passing such a group, collected on the steps of a temple, insulting language was used, a thing formerly very rare here, and brickbats picked up, though none were thrown.

Do not these gatherings explain the universality and speed with which the firemen flew to arms when the fire signal sounded, and from all quarters proceeded to the French consulate ?

If those connected with the Tun-cliu-chian—especially the Sisters of Charity—were the only objects of popular hatred, why was the consulate the first object of attack? Why was a French merchant and wife, living a mile away from the Tien-chu-t’ang, among the first victims? Or if the feeling extended to their coreligionists and fellow-countrymen only, why were the Russians brutally cut down while begging for mercy, and known not to be French, with the cry, “Death to all foreigners?”

Why was diligent search made for the Protestant missionaries in their chapels, for the purpose (avowed) of killing them, and all (8) their chapels destroyed? Why were our converts beaten, robbed, driven from their homes, dragged before the magistrates, and why still subjected to a bitter malice? Why did the mob start for the settlement with purposes of blood and plunder?

If simply popular movement, why, in the already excited state of feeling, did the magistrates issue those incendiary proclamations? Why did they not seek of the consuls a thorough investigation of the matter, and take all necessary means to allay the excitement?

Why did they not issue counter-proclamations, as desired by Mr. Lees of the London. Mission Society? Why did they allow a large crowd to follow them and collect at the French consulate, and go away without an effort to disperse it, or correct the erroneous charges and views of the people? Why have the people from the first claimed the officials as siding with them, if they had no reason for so doing?

Why did the soldiers and firemen render such efficient aid in the work of destruction, if their chiefs, the officials, were opposed to it?

At a place 50 li from this, where I spent the night of July 1, the frequent remark in the street was, “All the foreigners at Tien-tsin are dead—we might as well kill this one and end them.” The impression if not the expression is significant.

Notwithstanding proclamations forbidding to carry or manufacture arms, both have been done openly to the present time; and at the five quarters, and other places, arms are exposed ready for use.

Until the present time no attempt has been made, so far as we can hear, to apprehend any of the rioters. Some of them are as loud as ever in their threats of an attack on the settlement.

In conclusion, I would enter my solemn protest against the efforts of some to show—1st. That the feeling was and is only against the Catholics. Evidence to the contrary is too strong. Even admitting it, humanity cries out against such heartless and unchristian assumptions as that they brought upon themselves a deserved fate. Justice even to bitterest enemies. 2d. That the mob partook of the nature of a public excitement merely. Evidence is abundant that, but for official encouragement, such a tragedy could not have been enacted. The history of these mobs against foreigners, within the last few years, would be full of interest.

And may I express the hope that such a settlement of this affair will be made as to render the repetition of such barbarous deeds all but impossible? I am no advocate of cruel or retaliative measures. But justice and humanity alike demand a firm and decided action in the fear of God.

Let the conduct of these officials be thoroughly investigated and their actions sifted. Let them know that where evidence is so strong they cannot cast the blame on an innocent people, or pay a few dollars and wipe out the stain of bloodshed and cruelties too horrible and heartrending to mention.

America has lost no children; but others have, and we should stand by them in demanding a full investigation, impartial justice, and determined punishment of the guilty.

Let this be done; then let them make good the losses of their own people, contrary to treaty stipulations, simply for being followers of the Saviour; let them replace our chapels with their own hands, or pay their full value, as we may prefer, which I believe to be but just in the circumstances, and I think the ends of peace and safety will be gained, and the way opened for the more speedy extension of the truth.

I have the honor to be, sir, yours, obediently,