province of this work, but it had such relations to American citizens and their interests, and engaged to such an extent the attention of the representatives of the United States, that it cannot be passed over without some notice. The leader of the rebellion, when a young man attending the literary examinations at Canton, had had his attention attracted to Christianity by the preaching and tract circulation of native Protestant converts. Some years later he put himself under the instruction of Rev. J. J. Roberts, an American Baptist missionary, at whose hands he sought baptism and admission into the church, which were refused. He returned to his native village and claimed that he had visions and revelations from heaven and that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ.

At

He proclaimed a mission to destroy idolatry and overthrow the Manchu dynasty. The country seemed ripe for revolt, and unexpected success attended the early movements against the local authorities. Success brought adherents from the disaffected and the lawless, and within three years more than half of the populous part of the empire was in control of the revolutionists, and the dynasty seemed doomed to destruction. first the missionaries and the Christian world hailed the movement as the dawning of a new and better era for the Chinese. But upon further information it became apparent that the principles proclaimed and the practices observed were a gross travesty of Christianity, and that the leader and his chiefs had abandoned themselves to all the vice and licentiousness of an oriental court.

After the fall of Nankin, Mr. Roberts was invited by

the chief to come to his court and give his counsel to the new government. Minister Marshall, whom he consulted, told him that it was hardly consistent with his neutral status as an American citizen to respond to the call. Notwithstanding this advice, Mr. Roberts repaired to the camp of the insurgents at Nankin, but a short stay convinced him that they were not controlled by the spirit or principles of Christianity. The leader had so surrounded himself with the august ceremonials of his exalted position that Mr. Roberts was not permitted to see him, and he returned to his post of duty at Canton disappointed and disgusted with the movement.

Soon

By the middle of the year 1853 the rebellion had assumed such proportions as to warrant the assumption that it might become the de facto government of the empire, and Mr. Marshall's successor, Mr. McLane, was authorized in his discretion to recognize it as such, if on his arrival the situation justified such a course. after he reached Shanghai, he made a visit in a naval vessel to the headquarters of the Taiping leader in order to study personally the state and spirit of the movement. After some difficulty in making his approach to Nankin, Mr. McLane was able to communicate his arrival and his desire to meet the official charged with foreign intercourse. His action was interpreted as an approach to do homage to the government of the rebellion, and the minister of state sent him a long reply couched in a haughty tone of superiority, in which he said:

"If you do indeed respect Heaven and recognize the Sovereign, then our celestial court, viewing all under

Heaven as one family, and uniting all nations as one body, will most assuredly regard your faithful purpose and permit you year by year to bring tribute and annually come to pay court to the Celessial Kingdom, forever bathing yourself in the gracious streams of the celestial dynasty, peacefully residing in your own lands, and living quietly enjoying great glory."

The comment of Mr. McLane upon the correspondence was that, "Whatever may have been the hopes of the enlightened and civilized nations of the earth, in regard to this movement, it is now apparent that they neither profess nor apprehend Christianity, and whatever may be the true judgment to form of their political power, it can no longer be doubted that intercourse cannot be established or maintained on terms of equality." He sent the Secretary of State a full account of his visit, which constitutes one of the most interesting contributions to the voluminous literature on the Taiping Rebellion.

The civil war was maintained with varying fortunes until 1864, when Nankin was recaptured by the imperial forces and the insurrection suddenly collapsed. Dr. Martin, who was a resident of the country during the entire movement, says that it would have succeeded but for the foreign intervention in favor of the imperial The American government and its representatives sought to maintain an attitude of strict neutrality, but the sentiments of all the American ministers were on the side of the established government, and the French and English authorities at a critical period rendered it open support. Dr. Martin is authority for

cause.

the statement that after the occupation of Peking in 1860 by the allies, the emperor having fled to Tartary, Lord Elgin, the British representative, thought seriously of opening negotiations with the insurgent chief, but was deterred by the opposition of Baron Gros, the French er voy, who, adopting the views of the French missionaries, was prejudiced against the insurgents because their religion was reported to be of a Protestant type.1

Among the foreigners who lent their services to the imperial cause during this rebellion was an American, General Frederick T. Ward, born in Salem, Massachusetts. He organized, equipped, and drilled a body of Chinese troops, officered by Americans and Europeans. His successes were so great that his corps became known as "The Ever Victorious Army," and its influence was decisive in changing the entire aspect of the contest. In the height of his career he was mortally wounded while leading an attack upon a Taiping fortress. His fame has been somewhat eclipsed by that of Colonel Gordon, of the British army, who at his death succeeded to the command of his corps and carried forward to

1 For the views and reports of American ministers Marshall, H. Ex. Doc. 123, 33d Cong. 1st Sess. pp. 142, 184, 203, 265; McLane, S. Ex. Doc. 22, 35th Cong. 2d Sess. pp. 47-111; S. Ex. Doc. 39, 36th Cong. 1st Sess. p. 3; The Taiping Rebellion, by A. Egmont Hake, London, 1891; The Chinese Revolution, by Charles Macfarlane, London, 1853; L'Insurrection en Chine, Callery & Yvan, Paris, 1853, translation, London, 1853; Martin's Cycle of Cathay, pt. i. chap. ix.; Williams's Hist. China, chap. v.; A Short History of China, by D. C. Boulger, London, 1893, chap. xx.; China, by R. K. Douglas, London and New York, 1899, chap. xi. ; Nevius's China, chap. xxvi.; N. A. Rev. July, 1854, p. 158.

ultimate success the movement which had been organized by the daring and skill of Ward.1

Recurring to Minister Marshall's services, it is to be noted that after remaining several months at Shanghai, he returned to Canton, and again applied to Yeh for an interview, was again met by an excuse and a declination, and finally left China without once having met this official specially designated by the emperor to treat with the foreign ministers. When in January, 1854, he announced to Yeh his intention to return home, the latter replied with perfect nonchalance, "I avail myself of the occasion to present my compliments, and trust that, of late, your blessings have been increasingly tranquil."

A party change in the administration at Washington brought about Mr. Marshall's recall. His service in China covered a period of great interest and disorder in that empire, and, although on this account he was unable to accomplish much to advance the interests of his country, he conducted its affairs with ability and credit to himself and his government. He was a ready and able writer, and his voluminous correspondence with the Department of State, which has been published, furnishes very interesting and profitable reading on Chinese affairs.2

Upon the accession of Mr. Pierce to the presidency in 1853, he nominated and commissioned as minister to China Robert M. McLane, of Maryland, who was one

1 S. Ex. Doc. 34, 37th Cong. 3d Sess. 1, 3; Hake's Taiping Rebellion, 190; Martin's Cathay, 139.

2 H. Ex. Doc. 123, 33d Cong. 1st Sess.; S. Ex. Doc. 39, 36th Cong. 1st Sess. p. 3; N. A. Review, Oct. 1859, p. 483; Littell's Living Age, Oct. 1858, p. 384.