To his Excellency Frederick F. Low to Thomas Francis Wade, September 17, 1870

J.

Sir: I am in receipt of information to the effect that, in consequence of reports of an intended attack by the Chinese upon the American Protestant missionaries at Tungchow, in the province of Shan-tung, and the usual land communication being considered unsafe, application was made to the United States vice-consul at Che Foo for relief, to enable them to reach a place of safety. In the absence of a United States vessel of war at Chee Foo, the vice-consul made application to Sir Henry Kellett, K. C. B., commanding her Majesty’s naval forces in these waters, to afford the necessary relief.

With a generosity and promptitude characteristic of her Majesty’s naval officers, Admiral Kellett dispatched two vessels, the Barrossa and Grasshopper, on the 1st instant, to Tungchow, and took away the missionaries and their families, and landed them safely at Chee Foo.

In the name of the Government of the United States, and on behalf of the people who were relieved, I beg most respectfully to tender to you, and through you to Admiral Kellett, my grateful acknowledgments for this humane and generous action. I shall improve an early opportunity to lay the facts before my Government, and I would feel obliged if you would make them known to her Majesty’s government also.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,