, United States Consul, Ningpo to E. C. Lord, October 29, 1873

Rev. Mr. Houston to Mr. Lord.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your favor of yesterday, accompanying the title-deed for the land to which it has been agreed this mission shall remove, and informing the mission of the arrangement which has been made for paying the money indemnity of $11,000. I beg to say, on behalf of the mission, that the arrangements which have been made for us in the matter are in all respects satisfactory to us; and we are glad to avail ourselves of this occasion to convey to you our appreciation of the judicious and skillful manner in which you have conducted the negotiations relating to our affairs.

I beg to inclose with this a bank-check (Chinese) for $350, the sum mentioned in your letter as the commission for your services. We regard this as a very small charge for the continued attention you have given to a business which, we are aware, has made heavy demands on your time and patience.

You will also please find inclosed another check for $60, which my colleagues here and myself hope you will accept from us, to be used in purchasing some article of silver, according to your taste, to serve as a small token of the personal regard which we entertain for you, and as a memento of the transaction which has just been happily brought to a close.

We would ask you to have engraved on it, if convenient, the following inscription: “Presented to Dr. E. C. Lord, United States consul, by the members of the Southern Presbyterian Mission in Hang-chow, in token of kind services rendered by him to the mission in the year 1873.” We regret that our situation renders it impossible for us to attend to this ourselves, but we trust that you will kindly oblige us in carrying out our request when you may find it convenient.

In conclusion, we feel ourselves bound to acknowledge with gratitude the good hand of God which has brought this mission safely and prosperously over the difficulties attending our position in this city, and which now opens to us the prospect of a quiet and, we trust, useful residence here. Recognizing in you the instrument through whom these benefits have been brought to us, I would renew to you, on behalf of my colleagues and myself the expression of our high esteem, and remain, sir, with much respect,

Your obedient servant,