The Taotai to W. A. Cornabé, United States vice-consul, February 7, 1874
The Taotai to W. A. Cornabé, United States vice-consul.
The day after starting for the provincial capital, on public business, I had the honor to receive your dispatch, stating that you had been informed by the Rev. H. Corbett that the people of Chi-mi had collected a mob and assaulted him, and requesting me to inquire into the matter. I also received your letter stating that he had further informed you that the people there had collected 300 men for the purpose of injuring him, and had also carried off his donkey, &c.
While I was purposing to investigate this affair, I received the report of the magistrate of Chi-mi, stating “that on the 1st December, at the market-town of Hwa-yin, during a theatrical play, a native named Wang Li-tung, there present, in front of the Yuh-hwang temple, seized a child of thirteen years, called Li-San-man, crying out that he wished to take it to the Tien-chu-tang (Roman Catholic church) to enter the faith. The child screamed, and the crowd at the theater, moved by a common resentment, rescued it. Wang Li-tung then proceeded to drag from the ground a man called Kiang Kwan-kih, but the crowd rushed forward and pursued him, while he, leading on a number of men, resorted to violence. Fortunately the men at the theater were many, and succeeded in reclaiming also Kiang Kwan-kih.” Thus this native Chinese dares in open day to kidnap children, and then requests that the matter be investigated. (Original obscure.) I suppose that this affair is the one referred to in your dispatch. What a discrepancy between these two representations!
When foreign missionaries propagate their doctrines in the interior, their intercourse with the natives should be peaceable, and friendly relations be maintained. In the present affair it is evident that both parties were to blame, and each of them has told its partial story, hoping that it would be believed. Seeing that it concerns the intercourse between this and foreign nations, we must carefully discriminate between the false and the true, and follow up the matter (to a settlement) so as to insure peace in future.
On my departure from Chefoo I designated Wang Shin-jin, an expectant prefect, to go at once to Chi-mi, and, in connection with the magistrate, examine the matter and report to me. On my return to Lai-chau he reported to me that the origin of this affray was really found to be this: A great many people were assembled at the theater, and Mr. Corbett brought his three children to enjoy themselves there. The people were not familiar with the sight of foreign children, and gathered around to look at them, which Mr. Corbett opposed by sharply rebuking them. In consequence of this the crowd increased, and he took his children and left. There was certainly no such thing as attacking and stoning him.
It was simply that the convert Wang Li-tung seized hold of a child at the theater, named Li San-man, and was carrying him off, as he said, to have him join the church. The child screamed and resisted, but Wang, holding it firmly, was running away, when the people at the theater, moved by a common indignation, rushed forward and rescued it. Wang then led on a company of men and began to fight; both sides refused to yield, and men received wounds from each other.
In regard to a mob gathering at Chi-mi, it was because the people were incensed by seeing Wang Li-tung trying to force people to enter the religion, and came to the city to institute a suit and stop such proceedings. This affair occurred when many candidates were gathered for the examination; but beside this there was no other assemblage of the people.
In regard to Sü Yin-tsoh going to Ko-fau and carrying off a cow and an ass, I learned that Mr. Corbett had a house there, and when he returned to Chefoo he left these animals and sundry articles in charge of an assistant named Lin Lung-méi. Many people in the neighborhood, hearing of this attempt at forcible proselytizing, went to Mr. Corbett’s house to inquire into the matter; but really, his goods were none of them carried off. His cow and ass broke the ropes which held them and ran away to the hills, seeking for food, but there was no such thing as leading them away. The magistrate had them found and brought back, and delivered to Lin. These things can all be proved by evidence. Just now there is no gathering among the people to create disturbance.
In looking at this whole affair (says the Taotai) in reference to foreigners going into the interior to propagate Christianity, it is well understood that those who preach it and those who adopt it are to receive the same protection as other people, but no permission can be given them to force others to enter it. Now, when Wang Li-tung violently dragged away this child he began an incipient rebellion—a thing much to be detested; and such village brawls cannot be allowed to extend. All the parties concerned in this affair ought to be summoned before the magistrate for a thorough judicial investigation and settlement.
On my return (to Chefoo) I directed the same Wang Shin-jin to return to Chi-mi and make known these instructions. I am informed that the people there desire to settle this matter, and that when Mr. Corbett comes back they will treat him in the most friendly manner; no similar disturbance shall again arise, and they beg that further judicial proceedings may be stayed. In the disturbance which arose at the theater, it appears that no man took the lead; and it would be difficult to summon £he real persons (who caused it.) Much of what is reported is false. Since there is a willingness to settle the affair and resume friendly relations, it is advisable to stop all litigation. This would be of advantage to the missionaries.
I therefore make this reply; and if my proposal pleases you, may I ask you to summon Mr. Corbett, and instruct him in future to earnestly enjoin upon all who are connected with him that they will not be allowed to create such disturbances in future? In conducting law-cases in the interior, private interference (on the missionary’s part) will not be allowed.
I shall issue a stringent proclamation, informing the people of that district that they will not be allowed again to show disrespect to missionaries, but must seek for lasting peace, stop their litigations, and be sincerely friendly.
In respect to Mr. Corbett’s complaint that trees have been cut down at Pan-hien, and other outrages committed at Ta-lao village and Tung-kia-ngan, I have directed the district magistrate to make inquiries and report, but have not yet heard from him. It is probable that mutual distrust and misunderstanding have arisen from these false rumors. If this affair be soon settled, the minds of people in other places will be quieted.
With this reply, I take the opportunity to wish you the compliments of the season.