Wells Williams to S. Wells Williams, January 23, 1874

No. 138. Mr. Williams to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to send you a series of papers connected with the purchase of the mission premises of the American Southern Presbyterian Mission at Hang-chow, by the gentry of that city, and lam sure that their perusal will gratify you as indicating a very friendly state of feeling toward the missionaries. They deserve to be read, too, in connection with the in closures in Mr. Low’s dispatch of October 23, 1872, (No. 202,) if only to learn the contrast in the sentiments of the people and their rulers; and this friendliness is likely to be promoted and strengthened by their co-operation with our countrymen in making the exchange.

The gentry who have paid for the mission property are probably remunerated in the value of the premises now obtained, but the way in which these literati have gone about the accomplishment of their object and the regard which they have shown to the rights of foreigners are both unusual, and give some importance to this transaction. I hope the example will not be lost as a precedent in future similar negotiations, but it can now be taken as an encouraging sign of the improved intercourse between the two parties in that city.

Hang-chow is one of the finest cities in China for situation, and was its capital for one hundred and fifty years, (A. D. 1129–1280.) So far as is known, this hill was then occupied chiefly by temples and other similar public buildings, and not by imperial palaces. It was always a fcpot for the resort of the people. In 1862, when the Taiping rebels destroyed the city, the temples and other edifices were all leveled on this hill, and have not yet been rebuilt, though the city is rapidly regaining its prosperity by the return of the inhabitants and restoration of the government offices.

In a visit to it in 1859, in the days of its affluence, I observed that the top of this hill was open and used by the citizens for their diversions, and that the temple grounds were of large extent. In very few Chinese cities can such a dominating spot, according to the tenets of the geomancers, be found; and if its good luck was supposed to be interfered with, no pains would be spared to remove the irritating cause. As intimated by Mr. Lord, it was probably the height, the singularity, and the conspicuousness of the mission-houses which made them obnoxious to the notions of the gentry, more than their mere existence.

I think it may safely be inferred that the adjustment of the difficulty in 1872 growing out of this cause, so different from the sad result of a similar popular ill-feeling at Tien-tsin in 1870, may in part be ascribed to the good name which the Protestant missionaries have obtained for themselves during their seven years’ residence there. Nearly all of the eight missionaries living in Hang-chow have families, and they invite the people into their chapels, schools, and hospitals, mix with them daily, and are soon well known, so that when ugly rumors arise among the ignorant, this publicity has the effect of neutralizing them, and furnishes to the well-disposed arguments to induce their countrymen to examine for themselves. The present friendly arrangement, under the careful management of Mr. Lord, will not diminish this favorable opinion. The Chinese are the slaves of the mysterious cabala of the geomancers, and yet it is impossible to get a satisfactory explanation of the laws which govern it, for it is really too crude and fanciful to bear examination.

I send you all the important documents connected with the exchange of premises, (inclosure,) and copy of my reply, (inclosure 2;) and would respectfully, suggest that your opinion of Mr. Lord’s conduct in the transaction may be officially made known to him.

I have, &c.,