SUNG TAOTAI, (of Kiu-kiang.) to By the chief executive committee: H. R. W. Johnson, May 10, 1875

The Taotai to Mr. Johnson.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch of the 4th May, in which you inform me that on the 1st May an attack had been made on a chapel within the city by a mob, who destroyed the same, as also furniture, &c., and that the flooring had been carried away, asking me to investigate into the affair, to arrest the ringleaders for punishment, to see that compensation was made for the loss as sustained, and to issue a proclamation in order to prevent similar disturbances.

In compliance with your request, I have myself inquired into this matter and ordered a deputy officer, with the Che-hsien and a military officer, to investigate the affair. From a thorough investigation made by myself, it appears that the son of a mason by the name of Chang was detained in the chapel premises. The local officer being informed of it, applied for admittance, but was refused by the door-keeper; in consequence, the people, being aroused, began to attack the premises. These facts I have brought to the notice of the vice-consul of Kiu-kiang, as I expected he would communicate with yourself. This is the cause of the whole affair, and, as it appears, brought about by the conduct of the persons in charge of the chapel, and therefore no compensation should be required, as the treaty does not contain a clause to the effect that the local officers are to be held responsible in such a case.

In your dispatch you requested me to arrest the ringleaders, and to see that such compensation be made for the losses sustained. I have ordered the Che-hsien at once to do so, to bring them up for punishment, in order to prevent similar disturbances.

To-day the deputy informs me that the door-keeper had run away and that no trace of him is to be found; that at the time of the disturbance the foreign missionary was not at the premises; that therefore the people made an attack, which certainly should not have been done.

As time must be lost until the guilty parties are found and brought to justice; moreover, as the missionaries have no place for preaching, which will keep up ill-feeling, and the Che-hsien will not be responsible for the losses, I have ordered a deputy to arrange with the same. They have agreed to order the carpenter who formerly built the chapel to rebuild the same as before, and to pay to the missionaries the sum of tael 775, to cover the other losses for furniture and clothing lost, which sum the Che-hsien and his officers will see paid. This officer has also arranged with the missionaries themselves, who seem to be quite satisfied with this arrangement, while I have informed the vice-consul of Kiu-kiang to this effect.

The actions of the deputy having been thus made known to me, by which all parties received satisfaction, and peace and concord restored, I do not wish to interfere with this arrangement, but that the offending parties must be held liable for any losses.

I have also communicated with the military governor to issue a proclamation, and have informed the vice-consul of Kiu-kiang of the settlement of this affair, which I herewith bring to your notice.

I have to request your honor to tell the missionaries to see that the door-keeper of their chapel will in future no more allow young children to be taken to this chapel, and thus avoid further trouble.

I have, &c., &c.,