To George F. Seward to Evarts, June 16, 1877

No. 75. Mr. Seward to Mr. Evarts.

Sir: I have had the honor to mention to the department the fact that in a part of Northern China the rains failed last year, and that the people have suffered from a famine in consequence.

So far as we know the distress has been greatest in the province of Shan-tung, within which this part is situated. It has extended north, however, into Chili, and westward into Shanse, Shense, Honan, and Kansuh. We hear, indeed, that its results in Honan and Kansuh have been very severe.

The Netherlands minister to China, Mr. Ferguson, resides here, and has given attention to the reports which have been brought in from the famine district in this province. His information is set forth briefly in the inclosed copy of a letter which he addressed to his countrymen in this part of the world in March last, at which time foreigners generally in China and Japan were making an effort to extend all possible relief.

The total amount of the sums subscribed by foreigners has not been declared, and it is not easy to arrive at it, as they have been paid in and expended at different times and different places. It cannot fall much short of $40,000. This will be considered a large sum to be contributed by so few people. The good which has been done with the money cannot be measured by the value of so much money in the west. Among a people so simple in their wants, a few dollars go almost farther than would the same number of tens of dollars in the west.

The almoners of this charity have been the missionaries of different denominations who are resident in and near the distressed districts, notably Mr. Richards, of one of the English missions, and Dr. Nevins, of the American Presbyterian mission. The latter returned a few days since, having expended all the means with which he had been provided, about $10,000. He has confirmed to me the general correctness of Mr. Ferguson’s letter, and assured all that the number of deaths in this province must be counted by tens of thousands. There were about 30,000 people in the district where he operated, and he reports that, in an exaggerated way, the survivors insist that half of them would have perished but for the aid which he brought. He says that the officiate and gentry rendered almost no aid where he was, but he has heard that in other districts they have done better.

I had some conversation about the famine with a few of the members of the foreign office before I left the capital, and I seized the opportunity to point out to them the fact that the extension of railways and the introduction of varied industries are relied upon in other countries to mitigate such occurrences. I thought it due to our common humanity to point out by indirection that a government cannot be excused in this age for the abandonment of its people to widespread and horrible distress, disease, and death.

I had an opportunity, also, to bring to their attention in another way the charity which foreigners have extended to the sufferers. I was told beforehand that the foreign office would not be pleased to receive this information, but I could not believe it. The result is that the Yamên addressed notes to the several foreign representatives asking us to return the thanks of the government to our respective nations for their benefactions.

There is a prospect of excellent crops at the approaching harvest.

I have, &c.,