No. 230.
Mr. Low to Mr.
Fish.
No. 29.]
Legation of the United
States, Pekin, September 17, 1870. (Received November
25.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, in
consequence of rumors of threatened violence by the Chinese, and a
general belief that an organized attack would be made upon them on the
15th of the 8th moon, (September 10,) the missionaries residing at
Tungchow, about forty miles from Chefoo, in the province of Shantung,
determined to remove, with their families, to Chefoo for safety. The
correspondence, copies of which I beg to inclose, will give you all the
information that I possess.
The only direct, information is contained in the letter of the Rev. Mr. Capp; for the
rest I am indebted to the courtesy of the British chargé
[Page 384]
d’affaires, who kindly allowed me to read
and take copies of the report, with its inclosures, of the British
acting consul at Chefoo. Up to the present moment I have heard nothing
from the United States vice-consul.
I am quite free to admit that I was exceedingly vexed and mortified on
learning that the services of British vessels had been sought to remove
these people, when there was a United States gunboat at Tien-tsin that
could have gone to their relief in three or four days; and also in being
obliged to seek information as to what had been done through the British
legation, when reports from the United States vice-consul should have
been made to me without delay.
Were there an American resident at Chefoo who would accept the position,
I should be strongly inclined to advise the summary removal of Mr.
Holmes, and the appointment of a better man. Unfortunately there are no
persons resident there fitted for the position who will accept it for
the emoluments, and I suppose the reputation of the United States must
continue to suffer from such representatives as the vice-consul at
Chefoo.
Prior to the receipt of the news of their removal, the missionaries had
made no complaint, nor had I heard from them or the vice-consul at
Chefoo that any trouble was apprehended. From all that I am able to
learn I cannot but think the missionaries were unduly alarmed and their
action precipitate; at the same time the public mind is so much excited
by rumors, the truth of which is so difficult to ascertain from the
Chinese, that even the coolest and most courageous among the foreigners
are liable to over-estimate the danger, and adopt measures for
protection which they afterward ascertain were unnecessary.
In reply to Mr. Capp’s letter to me, I have advised them to return as
soon as they can feel any safety in so doing; and, as it would have a
good moral effect, I shall try to have them go back on one of our
vessels of war. The Monocacy is expected at Chefoo shortly—as soon,
probably, as they will be ready.
I have written a strong note to the prince, informing him of the
unsettled state of affairs at Tungchow, and asking him to take measures
for the protection of foreign residents; and have improved the occasion
to review the Tien-tsin affair, charging the troubles elsewhere to the
evil effects of the news of the riot. No answer has been received as
yet. As soon as a reply comes I will send you a copy of my note and the
prince’s response.
The proclamations of the local officials at Tungchow are timely, strongly
put, and, I hope, will do good.
Acting Consul Mayers, in his report to the British chargé d’affaires,
expresses my views so well concerning this whole affair that I quote
from his report:
The resident missionaries are, it may be presumed, the best judges with
regard to the steps it behooved them to take in view of their feeling of
insecurity and the known faithlessness of Chinese officials, but I
cannot repress a feeling of regret that so much encouragement has been
given to the anti-foreign party as the withdrawal from Tungchow will, I
conceive, result in. I am apprehensive that their departure will not
only produce a profound impression locally, but, being reported and
exaggerated in distant parts of the country, may be expected to embolden
the hostile spirit which appears to have grown up of late.
If the Chinese find that the missionaries can be induced to abandon their
posts of duty by threats of violence, they will, very soon, constitute a
repulsed army retreating in the face of the enemy.
Hon. Hamilton Fish,
Secretary of State.
[Page 385]
[Inclosures.]
A.—Letter of E. P. Capp to Frederick F. Low.
B.—Letter of J. L. Nevins to S. A. Holmes, vice-consul.
C.—Report of British acting consul to charge.
D.—Vice-consul Holmes to Admiral Kellett.
E.—Admiral Kellett to Vice-consul Holmes.
F.—S. A. Holmes to Sir Henry Kellett.
G.—Admiral Kellett to S. A. Holmes.
H.—C. W. Matter to Mr. Holwill, Chefoo.
I.—Frederick F. Low to Edward P. Capp and others.
J.—Frederick F. Low to Thomas Francis Wade.
K.—Proclamation of prefect of Tungchow.
L.—Proclamation of chief military mandarin of Tungchow.
A.
Chefoo, China,
September 2, 1870.
Sir: Permit us to submit to your
consideration the following: At Tungchow, in the province of
Shautung, the reports that had been circulating for months of an
intended attack upon the foreigners residing there and the natives
attached to them, became so definite and apparently well-founded
that we could no longer ignore them.
At a meeting of the foreign community, who are all American citizens,
held August 29, it was decided that we should temporarily leave the
place. We accordingly addressed a note (a copy of which, marked A,
we inclose) to Mr. Holmes, the American consul at Chefoo. In the
absence of an American gun-boat he made application to his
excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett. K. C. B., her Britannic
Majesty’s naval, commander-in-chief, who, with great kindness, sent
the Barossa and the Grasshopper to our assistance, and secured our
safe departure on Thursday, September 1st, instant.
We have written to Sir Henry Kellett the note a copy of which, marked
B, we inclose, in acknowledgment of his kindness.
Before our departure, in interviews with the local officers, we could
obtain no guarantee for the safety of our lives and property.
Within twenty-four hours, however, after our arrival at Chefoo, the
Chi-hien (district magistrate) of Tungchow reported the fact of our
leaving to the Tao-tai at Chefoo, who, in a communication to the
American consul, deprecates our departure, and cordially invites our
immediate return.
We beg leave to bring these statements to your notice, and would
consider it a great favor if you will kindly give us your judgment
as to the course of conduct proper for us to pursue under the
circumstances.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
EDWARD P. CAPP, On behalf of the American
Citizens Resident at Tungchow,
His Excellency Frederick F. Low,
American Minister, Pekin.
B.
Tungchow,
August 29, 1870.
Dear Sir: I am requested, by a unanimous
vote of the American residents here to write to you on their behalf
to request you to obtain a steamer, a gunboat if possible, to come
to Tungchow Thursday morning of this week to remove us from this
place. The reason for this action I will give below.
We have credible grounds for believing that official communications
were received here some time back from Tsing-quo-fan, and from the
governor of the province, calling upon the authorities and the
people to make arrangements for massacring foreigners generally some
time this fall. It is believed here that Chi-hien, and the principal
military officers who were summoned to the provincial capital some
weeks ago, went for the express purpose of being instructed as to
what they should do with us, and as to the preparation they should
make for defending the city in case of war.
The Chi-hien came back from Chi-naw-foo last week, went on to Chefoo
immediately to communicate with the Taotai, and has returned to
Tungchow. The chief military mandarin of this city is expected here
three days hence, and it is said that he is bringing
[Page 386]
2,000 soldiers with hire. Some
reportsstate that in the event [of the punishment] of the Chinese in
Tient-sin, they will take their revenge on us here—others, that they
will hold ns as hostages.
We hear that a very large military force is being collected in
Chi-naw-foo. There is a great deal of excitement here again, and
since the return of the Chi-hien the principal men of the city are
holding frequent conferences with the officers.
We have learned from independent sources that the people are
divided—some of them opposing any movement against us, and some of
them favoring it. The people generally expect that an attack will be
made upon us on the 16th of the present Chinese month. We have
received intelligence from our native Christians in Ping-tai and
Lai-yung, confirming these reports. Chinese connected with us are
urged by their Mends to get away from us by all means before the
15th, and there is reason to anticipate that they may be obliged to
do so in order to save their lives, if we remain here longer. It is
very probable that it will be impossible to leave Tungchow if we
delay long. We think that even now we would find it difficult in
getting away by the ordinary modes of travel. I might refer to other
rumors had I time and were it necessary.
It is with great reluctance that we have determined to send you this
communication, but under the circumstances we think the risk too
great to remain longer. Our plan is to leave our houses in the care
of the officers. We would be glad to have you come as an official
representative in communicating with them. We will be ready to leave
early Thursday morning. If no gunboat or steamer can be obtained we
would be greatly obliged if Mr. Mayers will fulfill the promise he
has already made, to come to us in his boat. Perhaps two boats would
be required. There are here five gentlemen, five ladies, and eight
children, and we would like to take with us a few Chinese.
If a steamer cannot come to us on Thursday, please communicate with
us at the earliest moment by special post.
I am, sir, on behalf of the American residents here, yours,
truly,
S. A. Holmes, Esq., United States Consul.
C.
British Consulate,
Che Foo, September 2, 1870.
Sir: I have the honor to report to you that
on the application of Mr. Holmes, the United States vice-consul at
this port, the American missionaries residing at Tungchow, forty
miles distant from Che Foo, were yesterday removed hither by her
Majesty’s ships Barossa and Grasshopper, at the urgent request of
the missionaries themselves.
I received a note late in the evening of Tuesday, the 30th August,
from Mr. Holmes, who inclosed to me a letter he had received from
Tungchow, and intimated his intention of soliciting assistance on
the following morning from Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett.
Correspondence took place on the 31st between Mr. Holmes and the
admiral, who subsequently furnished me with copies of the four
letters mutually exchanged, transcripts of which I now inclose for
your information.
Having been requested by Admiral Kellett to call on the United States
vice-consul after the receipt of his first letter, I found Mr.
Holmes apparently sharing my own opinion, that the apprehensions of
the missionaries of official designs against them were exaggerated
and based on insufficient information, although excusable,
doubtless, in view of their exposed position, the prevailing popular
excitement, and the anti-foreign spirit evoked by the massacre at
Tien-tsin. The reasons given by the missionaries for deciding on
immediate removal are set forth in the letter from Mr. Nevins, which
is annexed to Mr. Holmes’s first letter to the admiral, in addition
to which Mr. Holmes further supplied me with a letter written at the
same time by the Rev. Mr. Capp to Mr. Corbett of this place, a copy
of which I also inclose herewith.
After seeing Sir Henry Kellett, I called, at his request, upon the
Taotai, whom I sounded in the course of the conversation, with
reference to the affairs at Tungchow. He professed surprise on
hearing that the missionaries were again disturbed by rumors of
hostile designs, which he treated with ridicule, and begged me to
take notice that he held himself personally responsible for complete
security of the missionaries. I expressed my satisfaction on hearing
these assurances from his lips, coupled with the further undertaking
which he volunteered, to write at once to his subordinates at
Tungchow to take measures for checking the spread of idle reports,
and for assuring the safety of the foreign denizens of the town. I
did not think it expedient to make known to him that they
contemplated immediate removal, as I was still uncertain whether
this would actually take place. I communicated to Mr. Holmes the
result of nay interview with the Taotai. In the course of the day
further letters came in from Tungchow, announcing the fixed
determination of the missionaries to leave the place at once, and
expressing continued alarm. I am permitted by Mr. Holwill, of the
customs,
[Page 387]
to whom one of
these letters is addressed, to forward a copy to you, and I inclose
the same herewith.
Mr. Holmes thereupon addressed a positive application to Admiral
Kellett for the immediate dispatch of a vessel of war, and the
corvette Barrossa and gunboat Grasshopper were accordingly ordered
to proceed at daylight on the following morning to render assistance
as requested. Sir Henry Kellett being desirous that an interpreter
should accompany the commanding officer, to assist him in
communication if necessary with boat people or others near the
vessels, I directed Mr. Lolbe to proceed on this service, with
instructions, copy of which I inclose. The two vessels reached
Tungchow at about 11 a. m., and the embarcation of the missionaries
and their families was completed by 3 p. m., without any difficulty
or molestation on the part of the people. The number brought away
consisted of three men, five women, and five children, two of the
missionaries remaining behind to arrange, if possible, with the
local officials respecting the safe custody of their houses and
property.
The Rev. Mr. Nevins called upon me this morning, and explained to me
at some length the reasons which had actuated himself and his
colleagues in retiring from Tungchow. Without giving credence to the
numerous reports of malignant intentions toward the missionaries and
foreigners generally, which emanated, they are informed, from the
governor of the province, they nevertheless thought their position
so insecure as to leave them no option but to abandon it. The
circumstance giving the greatest cause for alarm, among the
multitude of minor incidents, was the reported approach of a
reinforcement of 2,000 men to the garrison of Tungchow, who were
said to be marching from the provincial capital.
It appears to have been openly stated throughout the city that the
foreigners would be murdered on the 10th of this month, (the 15th of
the 8th moon,) and it was thought that the constant repetition of
such a prediction, unhindered by the presence of any protective
force, might work its own fulfillment, through the excitement of the
masses, even if no such sinister design originally existed.
The resident missionaries are, it may be presumed, the best judges
with regard to the steps it behooves them to take in view of their
feeling of insecurity and the known faithlessness of the Chinese
officials, but I cannot repress a feeling of regret that so much
encouragement should have been given to the anti-foreign party as
this withdrawal from Tungchow will, I conceive, result in. I am
apprehensive that their departure will not only produce a profound
impression locally, but, being reported in an exaggerated form in
distant parts of the country, may be expected to embolden the
hostile spirit which appears to have grown up of late.
Your obedient servant,
W. F. MAYERS, Acting
Consul.
Thomas Francis Wade, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires,
Pekin.
D.
United States Consulate,
Che Foo, August 31, 1870.
Sir: I have the honor to hand you herewith,
for your perusal, a letter just received from Rev. J. L. Nevins, D.
D., residing at Tungchow, which will explain itself.
The news from there being of rather an alarming character, and the
people deeming it unsafe to remain there longer in the absence of an
American man-of-war, if it would not be asking too much, may I
request that your excellency will be kind enough to allow a gunboat
to go to their assistance, providing you consider it necessary. The
residents there, eighteen in number, men, women, and children, have
made arrangements, according to the letter herewith, to leave
to-morrow, the 1st September.
I am, sir, &c., &c.,
S. A. HOLMES, United States
Vice-Consul.
His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Henry
Kellett,
&c., &c.
E.
Her Britannic Majesty’s Steamer
Salamis,
Che Foo, August 31, 1870.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your dispatch of this date, inclosing a letter from the
Rev. Dr. Nevins, of Tungchow, representing that in consequence of
certain alarming reports the American missionaries are desirous of
removing
[Page 388]
themselves and
their families to Che Foo, and requesting that if I consider it
necessary, as there is no United States vessel of war present, I
will send an English gunboat to bring them away.
In reply, I beg to point out to you that you, as the United States
consul, are the proper person to decide as to the necessity, on the
evidence before you, of removing the American citizens, but I need
not assure you that if I receive any requisition from you to afford
succor to them I would immediately comply with it if able.
Just at this moment, the only suitable vessel, the Grasshopper
gunboat, is under repair and unfit for sea; but I have reason to
believe that if, on reflection, you consider that assistance should
be sent to Dr. Nevins and his colleagues, an application made to the
proper authorities will result in the dispatch of the Chinese
gunboat, now in harbor, to Tungchow to bring them away.
My information leads to the opinion that the apprehensions of the
missionaries are greater than necessary, and it is worth bearing in
mind that their withdrawal simultaneously from Tungchow, which is
not a treaty port, and forsaking their houses and property, will
probably give them much embarrassment in the future, as opposition
will certainly be actively made to their return by the anti-foreign
party.
I have, &c.,
HENRY KELLETT, Vice-Admiral and
Commander-in-chief.
S. A. Holmes, Esq.,
United States Vice-Consul, Che
Foo.
F.
United States Consulate,
Che Foo, August 31, 1870.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your dispatch in reply to mine of to-day, regarding the
removal of the American missionaries from Tungchow, and for which I
am under many obligations.
Since receiving your dispatch I have received other letters from the
missionaries at Tungchow, and as they have all decided that it is
dangerous to remain longer, and have decided to come away
immediately, I deem it necessary, from their statements, that succor
should be sent to enable them to get away; therefore, as the
representative of a friendly power, and in the absence of American
vessels, if it is not asking too much of your excellency, may I
respectfully request that you will be kind enough to have a gunboat
or other vessel sent to their relief, and on behalf of the American
Government and the missionaries at Tungchow I shall consider it a
very great favor.
I have, &c., &c.,
S. A. HOLMES, United States
Vice-Consul.
Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Kellett, K. C.
B., &c., &c., &c.
G.
Her Majesty’s Steamer
Salamis,
Che Foo, August 31, 1870.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge your
second dispatch of this date, in which you still desire I will send
a vessel to bring away American missionaries from Tungchow, and in
reply I beg to inform you that I find her Majesty’s gunboat
Grasshopper can be made ready for sea by to-morrow morning, and will
proceed on this service at daylight. On arrival at Tungchow she will
anchor off the town, hoist her ensign at the masthead, and be
prepared to receive any American citizens and their families, and
their servants, but no other persons. The
commander of the gunboat will not land, nor send the boats on shore,
and I request you will have the goodness to send a dispatch to Dr.
Nevins by the Grasshopper, impressing upon him the urgent necessity
of the embarkation taking place without delay.
I have, &c.,
HENRY KELLETT, Vice-Admiral and
Commander-in-chief.
S. A. Holmes, Esq., United States Consul, Che
Foo.
[Page 389]
H.
Copy of a private letter from Rev. C. W.
Mateer, of Tungchow, to Mr.
Holwill, Che Foo.
Tungchow,
August 30, 1870.
Dear, Holwill: You will, no doubt, have
learned before this reaches you that we are getting scared up in
Tungchow. I have not time to write you the particulars. They have
been written in full to the American consul. I am still, however,
inclined to think that we are worse scared than hurt. I believe
there is danger; but I doubt if it is great enough to justify us in
leaving. I have expressed my views to the others, but they carry it
against me, and of course I must act with the rest. I do not think I
am less sensible of the danger than the rest; but I am willing to
run greater risks for the sake of the interests that are at stake. I
have not yet made up my mind to go with the rest; but, of course, I
cannot tell till the time cornels. It is possible that the knowledge
of the fact that we are “mobilizing” may develop things that we are
not looking for. I hope that the steamer that comes will be prepared
to stay at least one day, as it will be impossible for us to settle
upon affairs with the mandarins (conveying our houses to them) in
less than at least one day. I have never taken a step in my life
that goes so against every principle of my nature. It is certainly
the greatest trial I ever met with. To know what it costs to leave
here one must have lived here for seven years, and labored as I
have. I am most disturbed for our school. I fear the disbanding of
it will be disastrous. I can only say God’s will be done. It may be
wise for us to leave, and it may be a piece of folly. I wish others
could have been persuaded to wait for a little more light. Pray for
us that we may be guided aright and preserved from all evil.
Yours fraternally,
I.
Legation of the United
States, Pekin,
September 14,
1870.
Sir: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of
your note of 20th instant, informing me of the withdrawal of all the
Protestant missionaries from Tungchow, and inclosing a copy of Rev.
Mr. Nevins’s letter to the United States vice-consul at Che Foo,
giving the reasons for this action. With these came also a copy of
your note to Admiral Kellett, thanking him for his humane and
generous action, in sending vessels to your relief.
In your note you refer to the “reports that had been circulating for
months of an intended attack,” and speak of interviews between the
missionaries and the local officials prior to the departure of the
former, in which they failed to obtain any guarantee for the safety
of their lives and property. You also state that soon after your
arrival in Che Foo, the United States vice-consul received a
communication from the Taotai, in which he deprecated your departure
and requested your immediate return to Tung-chow. You close by
asking my judgment as to your future course, in view of all these
considerations.
In reply, I have to say that prior to the receipt of your note, I had
no intimation of apprehended trouble at Tungchow. If the reports
referred to had been in circulation for months, it would seem that
some information should have been given to the vice-consul at Che
Foo or to me. If you did make any communication to the vice-consul
upon the subject, he failed to apprise me of the fact.
I regret that your appeals to the local officers for protection were
not made in writing, so I might have some tangible evidence of their
culpability in not affording protection, on which to base a
complaint to the authorities in Pekin. As it is, I have sent a
strong note to Prince Kung concerning this matter, and have improved
the occasion to point out the causes which led to this unhappy state
of affairs, and impressed upon him the necessity of prompt action on
the part of the government in order to avoid consequences that may
be disastrous. As yet no reply has been received, but I hear
unofficially that stringent orders went immediately to the
provincial authorities in Shan-tung, which will, I hope, have a good
effect.
Without pretending to question the propriety of your course in view
of the danger which appeared to surround you, and conceding that you
ought to be able to judge better of the value of the reports than I
possibly can at this distance, I cannot repress a feeling of keen
regret that you felt compelled to abandon, even temporarily, afield
that had cost such a struggle to win, and that your action will be
likely to strengthen the anti-foreign feeling—not only in Tungchow
but in other places, and render the residence of missionaries in
China more uncomfortable than it has been hitherto.
My opinion is that the male members of your
mission should return at the earliest moment they can get a
reasonable assurance of safety, and as you were taken away in a
vessel of war, I desire very much that you shall return in a United States vessel, when
[Page 390]
yon go. I expect one or more of the
fleet will be at Che Foo shortly, and as soon as I hear of the
arrival of any, I shall ask that you be returned to your post of
duty under the protection of your country’s flag, should you so
desire.
If one of our vessels should come, and not be likely to remain long
enough to communicate with me, you are at liberty to read this
letter to the commanding officer, and ask, in my name, the services
of his vessel for the purpose indicated above.
I hope to hear soon that active and honest measures are being taken
by the officials for your protection, and that you are all safely
back again in your field of labor.
Your obedient servant,
Rev. Edward P. Capp and others, Che Foo.
J.
Legation of the United
States, Pekin,
September 17,
1870.
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,
Thomas Francis Wade, Esq., Her Britannic Majesty’s Chargé d’Affaires,
Pekin.
K.
Proclamation by the prefect of
Tungchow, in Shan-tung, to which all are to give earnest heed.
Issued September 2, 1870.
It appears that in consequence of the flagitious conduct of lawless
men at Tien-tsin, bewitching and carrying off children, in which
they implicated the Roman Catholics there, many people have
suspected that a quarrel would grow out of it, and have fomented
disturbance. In consequence, every kind of wild rumor has spread
from thence through the land, which has incited reckless loafers to
hatch trouble and fan suspicions, particularly saying that all
foreigners are to be killed. These falsehoods have disturbed
foreigners, [dwelling here,] and led them to suspend their work, and
rapidly move away from the place to avoid danger, their converts
also laboring under the same erroneous views. Such men, like
unscrupulous rascals, cannot be suffered for a single day, and it is
hard to imagine what object they can have in getting up these
suspicions to breed trouble. I have sent policemen here and there to
secretly ascertain who they are and seize them, and I also now issue
this proclamation for general information, and call on all, soldiers
and people, to fully observe its orders. Hereafter, let each of you
carefully attend to his own business, and neither start nor give
heed to idle canards, calculated to excite trouble and bring
misfortune on yourselves, If any dare disobey this, they shall be
summarily seized, and the lives of themselves and families
immediately pay the penalty. They will then have no place for
repentance.
L.
Proclamation by Fu, brevet colonel of
the middle brigade at Tungchow, &c., strictly prohibiting
the circulation of rumors. Issued September 2, 1870.
It is well known that English and American missionaries have lived in
this city many years, engaged day and night in disseminating and
explaining the holy religion of
[Page 391]
Jesus, and urging men to be good. Recently
certain fellows among the soldiers and people have been talking
wildly about the affair at Tien-tsin, blabbing this and that strange
story, which is nothing less than to utter seditious rumors for the
purpose of exciting suspicion and change. Such men, like reckless
villains, are only on the lookout for a chance to take advantage of
some trouble to rob and sack; they are all out of the pale of law,
and excite everybody’s indignation.
I have secretly sent out men who are ordered to inquire for and seize
any one found doing these things, and I further now issue this plain
proclamation for the general information of all classes of people.
Hereafter let every one contentedly attend to his own affairs, and
give no heed to the wild talk about affairs between natives and
foreigners. Whoever is found violating this command will be tried in
this court, and I shall ask the higher officers to have him executed
by martial law. No leniency will be shown, and let no one,
therefore, say he has not been warned, but let every one give
careful heed to this special proclamation.