Wells Williams , Chargé d’Affaires for the United States, Peking to Wells Williams, August 30, 1873

Mr. Knight to Mr. Williams.

Sir: I have the honor to address you on a troublesome subject, and one which, with the exception of the local excitements created by the Tien-tsin massacre, I have been happily free from since the year 1866, namely, the disturbed condition of this province, and the almost utter paralyzation of the traffic to and from this port with the interior, arising from the presence of numerous bands of brigands which occupy the country between this port-town and Moukden.

The district represented by this consulate has ever been infested with lawless roving bands of more or less importance, but the prompt and skillful management of his excellency Wen-siang with a large foreign-drilled or armed force north of Moukden, during the winter of 1865–’66, and the spring following, and the just and retributive action of his excellency Ching-lin and associates, who then held-office at this port, during the summer of 1866, appeared to have scattered them to follow their habits in other parts, or to lead a more honest life. Small companies, it is true, have appeared from time to time at different points during the cold seasons; one band approached so near this place last winter that some of the residents were obliged to give up an arranged excursion to a neighboring spot, but both merchandise and travelers usually escaped plunder by the employment of an armed escort guard, the members of which were under some arrangement with the robbers. But I may add that no one, to my knowledge, has ever disputed the repeated assertion that these selfsame escort guards themselves often resort to robbing when out of escort employment.

However the case may be, the occurrences of the past two months have served to place matters, as regards the safety of life and jeopardy of trade in this province, in a position quite as disastrous and fraught with anxiety as subsequent events proved had been justly apprehended during this month eight years ago. The main and immediate cause of such a state of things may be attributed to the excessive rains with which this quarter has been visited of late. The native whose memory extends back half a century testifies that no such rain-storms within his experience have fallen upon this land. For two months, with but short and infrequent intervals, the country has been drenched with showers only equaled in the tropics, until not only is the country extending from this port-town southward to the hills under water, but the entire district between this and Moukden, and especially along the basin of the Sian, and the most important high-roads are so flooded that large boats may depart from the river-channels, and, in many directions, reach their destination by a straight course. Thus an extent of country not overestimated at 1,000 square miles is inundated, in which I need scarcely mention the crops are entirely ruined. In fact the staple harvests of beans and millet are decayed, and the stalks of the latter having floated down the swollen river may be met with far out in the gulf. These are just the circumstances most certain to tempt those in this country who are at all naturally inclined to predatory habits, and the comparative success of the earlier formed bands attract to their ranks large numbers of those who, through loss of crops, and homes perhaps, soon become demoralized and reckless.

Consequently, the condition of this province compared with former years is, beyond dispute, as I now state. The possibility of transporting merchandise from this port to the north, or of bringing produce hither from Moukden, without an almost certainty of seizure, is about as complete as if war was being carried on between the two points. Trade in imports is thus absolutely checked. In former years the robbers contented themselves with exacting only sycee or opium; now they demand any and everything on which they can raise the smallest amount of cash. Formerly they roved about on horseback, and there was some chance of the trains of carts escaping them; now they occupy the country along the banks of the Liao, which, under the circumstances, is the only course of travel, and a free passage without an encounter is not expected. Until lately the common escort-guard could come to some arrangement with the brigands by which the trains under their convoy were exempt from plunder; but now the brigands are strangers, and too eager for any division of spoils. A few years ago the provincial troops, the escort-guard, and the robbers were armed alike with the matchlocks of the country; now, there can be little question but that the latter have many in their ranks who are well provided with foreign rifles. All trade for the moment is so obstructed that, but for the large stores of produce at this port-town, not a single commercial transaction would take place. And, finally, the imperial maritime revenue has fallen off, and must show a large reduction for this year. Now, the fact is not to be overlooked, that loss of trade alone is a most serious matter to all concerned here, and with such a lawless and ruinous condition as I have related, both foreigners and natives alike believe they are justified in feeling apprehensive that life and property, unless some prompt and extraordinary measures are adopted by the government, will be imperiled the coming winter.

The statement above of my belief that the robbers are now provided with foreign arms may require some explanation. I can sustain it, however, by the knowledge I have long possessed and often reported, that the southern native compradors of this place are in the habit of secretly inquiring of masters of vessels if they would part with their stands of guns or pistols. Although, with every desire, I have been unable to detect with accompanying proofs a single transaction, no one hereabouts doubts for a moment but that large numbers of foreign weapons have been so obtained, and sent to the interior for sale. And my opinion on the subject is now confirmed since Mr. Taintor, the commissioner of customs, was, on the 21st instant, while sailing along the Lian on a surveying trip toward Sin-mun-tim, suddenly attacked by a number of men at a point about twenty miles beyond San-cha-ho, some of whom fired at him with foreign guns.

This band being strongly positioned for attack or retreat on a long island, and having four boats at their command, made several running attempts to capture Mr. Taintor, and his escape was a narrow one. He was forced to fire several return shots in self-defense, some of which one may be permitted to hope taught them a lasting lesson.

This dispatch has already transgressed the limit I looked forward to at the commencement, but I am most anxious to provide all that is necessary and true, in order that you may with ease convince the imperial government officials that it is imperative they should take immediate steps to avert in this quarter what may be worse than already prevails.

It is barely possible, so much do provincial officials dislike of all things to report unfavorably to Peking, that the Tsun-li Yamen may reply that they are not in receipt of corroborative information from their own officials. But I think not, for I know that the Tao-tai of this port and the Tartar general of Moukden are in active correspondence, apparently as to which shall forward troops here or there. And this morning I learn that the large Samshoo-Hongo, of the city of Newchwang, have returned their licenses to the officials with a joint letter saying that they pay their annual tax to Peking, but, since from want of protection they cannot manufacture and export their Samshoo with safety, they can do no business, and their license is without value. Interest is awakened in every quarter as to what steps shall be taken for our security during the ensuing winter, and I should fail in my duty did I not bring forward to your notice the several suggestions. The English residents have petitioned their minister for either a gunboat or a company of marines, to be stationed here until the next spring; while the commissioner of customs intends to inquire of the inspector-general, Mr. Hart, as to the practicability of one of the smaller Chinese gunboats being retained here.

Certainly both ideas are good, and such as are not lightly to be abandoned. For in the event of this port being attacked by a large force, as was indeed the case with the city of Newchwang, (situated but thirty miles distant,) in 1886, it is possible that the resident Tao-tai’s 500 foreign-drilled troops might be required to await his orders for the defense of the native quarter, while the gunboats or marines would especially protect the foreign settlement.

My own suggestions, however, in addition to the above one, are:

• First, that the imperial government be recommended to instruct the high officials of this province to provide, say, three or four thousand stand of rifles and ammunition, which shall be distributed to the proper officers of the several cities and towns, according to their size and importance, including the cities of Newchwang, Hatching, and Kai-chow, which are within the thirty miles radius of this port.
• Second, that the Tao-tai of this port be instructed not to move the 500 foreign-drilled troops belonging to and stationed at this port, outside the limits, except for immediate purposes of defense. My proposition, it is true, calls for a certain expenditure on the part of these provincial authorities, hut it will be a comparatively small expenditure if the expense is made to fall pro rata on each city or town thus supplied with such real means of defense; and in fact the outlay will not be greater than that the British government has more than once submitted to, with proverbial liberality and solicitude for its subjects and interests, during past winters at this port.

For my own part I willingly acknowledge that the active steps taken by the imperial government within my experience in 1866, make me feel assured that it has every desire and intention to maintain peace and security and uphold confidence in this part of the empire, but I fear its habitual delays.

I now leave it for you, sir, to deal with the subject, and the government’s best plan is to forward its orders by speedy courier to the Tartar general at Moukden.

Confident that my reputation will acquit me of being charged as an alarmist, I will address you again should events warrant it.

I have, &c.,