any exemption from the penalties justly due for any infringement of the civil law. All that we desire is that Christians should be treated with the same tolerance and favor that is extended to the followers of Mohammedanism, Buddhism, Tauism or Confucianism, and not be vilified and oppressed and spoken of as aliens and rebels,* but be regarded as loyal Chinese subjects. (3) We do not knowingly retain any men of immoral character in connection with our churches. (4) If the Chinese authorities wish to make such charges against the Roman Catholics, who claim the protection of France, with which country China is now in a state of war, we claim that in fairness some distinctive name should be used, and that missionaries from England, America, and Germany should not be included in the charge by the employment of a term understood as applying to Christians in general. We would respectfully state that we feel it due to ourselves, as well as to the churches and the nationalities which we represent, that these matters should be placed in a clear light before the Chinese Government. No. 105. R. H. GRAVES, GRAINGER HARGREAVES, Committee. No. 632.] Mr. Young to Mr. Frelinghuysen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, January 24, 1885. (Received March 16.) The SIR: In my dispatch No. 631, dated January 21, 1885, I had the honor to send you a communication from Mr. Consul Seymour in regard to affairs at Canton. Mr. Seymour forwarded a petition from the missionaries in Canton, addressed to the British, German, and American legations, in regard to a memorial written by high Chinese officials making invidious suggestions as to converts to Christianity. The matter was discussed at length with Sir Harry Parkes and Mr. Von Brandt. papers submitted at our conference by Sir Harry Parkes were more explicit than those sent to the legation by Mr. Seymour. Two of these papers I inclose. It seems that Her Britannic Majesty's consul on the 21st of November called the attention of the viceroy to the tenor of the proclamation. The reply of his excellency, in the opinion of Sir Harry Parkes, Mr. Von Braudt, and myself, seemed to be as satisfactory as we could expect from the Chinese authorities. The viceroy disavows the published memorial as inaccurate, and informs Her Britannic Majesty's consul that he has suppressed the publication and destroyed the blocks. After mature deliberation it was thought best not to send the yamên a formal note, but to make the subject one of informal conversation with the ministers when we next had occasion to see them on business. While it is not well to allow declarations in violation of treaty, such as are contained in the memorial to which I refer, to pass without notice, the fact that the governor-general of Canton had, in his letter to Her Britannic Majesty's consul, anticipated any action we could have de*That this is done by the Chinese authorities we have frequent proof. E. g., the following from a proclamation by the provincial judge, dated 21st of seventh month of the present year: "As to the ignorant people who are followers of Christianity, they are also our subjects. If they return and repent they will be permitted to purge themselves. "As to how they will be treated, the mandarins will hold the balance (justly).” [Eight Chinese signatures.] manded deprives the incident of the importance attached to it in my dispatch No. 631, dated January 21, 1885. I trust that the conclusion reached by my colleagues and myself will meet with the approval of the Department. I have, &c., JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG. [Inclosure 1 in 632.] Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul Hance to Governor-General Chang. NOVEMBER 21, 1884. YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to inform you that I recently bought a pam phlet (which was being sold in the streets) containing the draft of a memorial written by you, the governor-general, the Junior Guardian P'eng and Governor Ni, and that on opening it I found that it contained a paragraph relating to Christian converts. I do not know whether this draft is genuine or not, but if in the midst of the people [such a work] is printed and sold both within and without the city, ignorant people seeing it will regard converts to the Christian religion with feelings of hatred. If [the people] reflect that [the teaching] originates with foreigners the evil [feelings] will be turned on the foreign officials, merchants, and others who reside in the province, and thus disturbances of the peace can easily take place. Now that the licentiate examinations are taking place the provincial capital is necessarily full of people, and I fear that disturbances could be easily caused. I, the acting consul, being desirous that Chinese and foreigners should live in peace together, am of opinion that precautions should be taken, and therefore have the honor to request you, the governor-general, to direct your subordinates to prevent the draft of this memorial being sold in every place; thus preserving peace between Chinese and foreigners. I inclose a copy of the pamphlet for your inspection. I have, &c., [Inclosure 2 in 632.] Governor-General Chang to Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul Hance. DECEMBER 5, 1884. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of dispatch from you, dated the 21st ultimo. I have to observe that the printing of the memorial was in the 5th moon, when my predecessor, his excellency Chang, was in office, and is not a matter which has occurred during my government. In [the pamphlet] the phraseology is incorrect, and there are many places where it does not agree with the original draft. It is a characteristic of the Canton people to love novelty and dislike what is antiquated. When they happen to see or hear anything in the market-place, they will arrange and concoct circumstances and compose an article on it, which they print and sell with a view to making a profit. Hitherto, as nothing of importance was touched on, the local authorities took no means of prevention; but the printing of these two pamphlets and their wanton falsification is most blameworthy. Orders have been given to the prefect and magistrates to take vigorous measures for their suppression, and to find and destroy the blocks from which they were printed. Friendly relations have existed for many years between our respective countries, and the intercourse of the [two] states is constant and stable. The people and the converts, however, cannot get on together, and are eternally in quarrel and litigation, whereby disorder is bred. Preaching the gospel was long since allowed by treaty, and can by no means be now disallowed. Now, missionaries from western lands of course keep strictly to the rules of their doctrine, and do not interfere in matters outside it; but many unprincipled people in the interior, not believing in the doctrine from the bottom of their hearts, become converts in name only, and, relying [on Christianity] as on a charm to protect them, create trouble to the detriment of order in the villages. Thus do they injure the reputation of the chapels and give birth to suspicion and dislike between Chinese and foreigners. This class of persons does double harm [i. e., to the chapels and to the people], and should undoubtedly be sought out and preventive regulations made, so as to avoid a further continuous series of troubles, and re-establish the former state of tranquillity. This year the Chinese and foreign ministers have been holding a discussion, with a view to devise a plan of united action, so that internal affairs may be tranquil and foreign relations friendly. There is not the slightest desire to incite the hatred of the Chinese against converts, or to injure the interests of the officials and merchants of other nations. The examinations are now over, and the country is quiet, as formerly. You may, therefore, cast away all suspicion and doubt. I have, &c., No. 106. No. 650.] Mr. Young to Mr. Frelinghuysen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, February 14, 1885. (Received April 13.) SIR: I inclose for your information a correspondence with Mr. Consul Wingate at Foo-Chow. It appears that an American firm asks the good offices of the consul to introduce giant-powder and other explosives to the attention of the Chinese Government. I have said to the consul that any influence he can use to advance an American interest would be a performance of duty. I, however, thought it my duty to say that, considering the friendly relations between France and the United States, the legation could not approve of a consul using his influence to supply the Chinese with articles of war to be used against the French. I trust that this action will meet with your approval. JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG. No. 115.] [Inclosure 1 in No. 650.] Mr. Wingate to Mr. Young. JANUARY 26, 1885. SIR: I do not usually enter communications like the No. 327 received in my letterbook. Such letters and business circulars are usually treated as unofficial. If I can give any real information to the sender I answer them, but most received are evidently so ill adapted to the demand of this people that I think I am right in concluding that they are merely sent to the consulate because the sender finds the name of the place in the consular directory, and not as expecting an acknowledgment. In a case like the one under consideration I should, if a proper opportunity offered, speak to an official regarding a manufacture by citizens of the United States, but I could not with propriety go further. SIR: Owing to the present outlook for war between China and France, we desire to call your attention to and solicit your aid and advice with regard to placing before the notice of the Chinese Government our explosives. The Giant Powder Company's patents were acquired from the original inventor, Mr. Alfred Noble, both for dynamite powders and his later discovery, the "explosive gelatine," the strongest of all known explosives. The name "giant powder" was used for our dynamite powders as being more simple and more acceptable than "dynamite." As the Giant Powder Company are to-day the largest manufacturers of high explosives in the United States and perhaps the world, having extensive works both in California and the East, and being fully prepared to furnish dynamite in any quantities upon the shortest notice and at prices which defy competition, we desire to enter every field where dynamite is or may be used. We address you as being in the position to forward our interests, and trust you may be able to place with that Government a quantity of our explosives. We send you herewith circulars descriptive of the new "explosive gelatine," and will say that this powder deserves attention, particularly for torpedoes and similar purposes. We are, &c., BENDMAN, NIELSON & CO., No. 100.] [Inclosure 3 in No. 650.] Mr. Young to Mr. Wingate. FEBRUARY 14, 1885. The Sir: As a further reference to your dispatch, No. 115, I have the honor to note your comments in regard to the letter you inclose from a San Francisco firm, offering to sell the Chinese explosive materials. Your action seems to have been judicious. proper custom in all such cases, the one which the legation follows, is to send the application to some mercantile firm and allow the business to take its course. If it should be in the power of a consul to advance an American interest by speaking to the Chinese authorities in commendation of the interest or in explanation of its merits, or giving an assurance of its integrity, there is no reason why this should not be done, taking due care to show that your action is official, not personal. At the present time, however, I should refrain from commending to the Chinese any manufacture, like powder or firearms or any other agency which could be used for a warlike purpose against France. Our relations with France are friendly, and I wish nothing done by any consular officer, even in an informal manner, that might be regarded as a violation of the strictest neutrality. I am, &c., JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG. No. 107. No. 658.] Mr. Young to Mr. Frelinghuysen. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Peking, February 23, 1885. (Received April 27.) SIR: A question has arisen in Canton as to the right of a son of an American citizen born in China of a Chinese mother to claim American citizenship. I have instructed the consul that under section 1993 of the Revised Statutes he must recognize this right, unless it can be shown that the claimant has sought naturalization from another power. These questions are awkward, as in most cases the claims are made by people whom it is not desirable to have under our protection; at the same time the law seems clear and I do not see how it can be avoided. I am, &c., JOHN RUSSELL YOUNG. [Inclosure 1 in No. 658.] Mr. Seymour to Mr. Young. No. 101.] CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to present a case, involving the question of citizenship, in respect to which it is desirable to have clear and definite instructions. An American citizen, native of the United States of America, named Frederick Pearson, lived many years in China, and did business at and around Shanghai, where he died 14th June, 1868, leaving children by a Chinese woman, to whom he was married by Rev. Father Desagque, as per the records of the Roman Catholic Church. A son of Frederick Pearson, born at Shanghai, August 26, 1854, named John Frederick Pearson, was baptized by the same priest and now lives in Canton. The question as to whether this son was or was not born in wedlock is not satisfactorily settled, but if the decision as to American citizenship hinges upon that point, care will be observed in arriving at the facts as to whether the marriage of the parents occurred previous or subsequent to the birth of the son; whose appearance favors the impression that his age is correctly stated at about thirty years. This young man, who wears the garb, cue, and outfit of a native of China, with the name of "Whey Ting," seems thoroughly determined to maintain all the peculiarities and characteristics of a Chinese subject; but at the same time (evidently to have recourse to consular aid and influence in pushing his schemes when resisted by Chinamen), seems desirous of having registration at American consulates where he may require assistance. This man "Whey Ting" asked for registration at this consulate, as the son of an American citizen, during the past week, for the declared and obvious purpose of assisting him to evict occupants of a building and premises to which he claims title, and to obtain possession of the property, for which the occupants refuse to pay rent. The value of the property is stated at about $1,300 and cost $800. The rent agreed upon many years ago was 10 taels, equivalent to about $15 per month-50 taels paid in ad vance. From examination of his title-papers there is no evidence of his ownership, as the deed runs in favor of one Chang Ho See," whom "Whey Ting" claims as his wife's aunt, she having supplied a portion of the purchase-money; and he being her heir, as he alleges, without substantiating his statements. Consequently I declined to take up his case as the claim of an American citizen, in the absence of any evidence that he was born in wedlock, or that he is the owner of the property to which through the aid of this consulate he desires to obtain possession. Furthermore, while invoking consular assistance of this nature, he objected to a full and frank statement of his parentage to the Chinese authorities, evidently to avoid incuring the risk of subjecting himself to the restraints or restrictions to which foreigners or citizens of the United States are subject in China. In order to more fully understand the peculiarities of this case, it should be known that the father, Frederick Pearson, who was well known in business circles in China, sent this son, John Frederick Pearson, alias "Whey Ting," when young to the United States of America for an English education, and, beside four years of schooling and residence in Massachusetts, the son was two years in England previous to A. D. 1878, the year in which he claims to have acquired an interest in the property mentioned. speaks and writes the English language as accurately as any educated Englishman or American. Both in respect to pronunciation and grammar, as well as to orthography in the use of the English language, his precision is faultless. He By further reference to his written statement it appears the name of his relative who supplied $300 of the purchase-money for the property in 1878 is "Seng Woo Ting,' which does not agree with the name given in the deed; but "Whey Ting" (alias Pearson) claims he paid $500 of the $800 purchase-money; and that no rent has been paid since the first payment of 50 taels already mentioned. So there is nothing clear about the title to the property being vested in the claimant, respecting whom the American firm of Messrs. Russell & Co. have from their knowledge of him advised caution. Apart from the property title deeds, the question of registration as an American citizen should be settled. And this brings us to the consideration of section 1993 of the Revised Statutes of the United States and its application to "Whey Ting" (alias Pearson), who may, perhaps, like other Chinamen, have a variety of names. This section declares- "All children heretofore born or hereafter born out of the United States, whose fathers were or may be at the time of their birth citizens thereof, are declared to be citizens of the United States." Under this section "Whey Ting" (alias Pearson) claims registration and the aid of the United States consulate as to his property. I respectfully submit that the language |