The object which the Powers of China had before them originally in signing Treaties was to establish a permanent situation which would ensure them rec advantages and remove abuses. However, the experience of the last few years lias demonstrated that not only do these Treaties not attain this desired end of permanency, but also that, up to the present time, they are difficult to carry into execution. Trade has in no degree occasioned differences between China and the Powers. The same -cumot be said of the missions, which engender ever-increasing abuses. Although in the first instance it may have been declared that the primary object of the missions was to exhort men to virtue, Catholicism, in causing vexation to the people, has' produced a contrary effect in China.' (This regrettable result) is solely attributable to the inefficacy of the plan of action (followed in this matter). It is, therefore, urgent that steps should be taken to remedy this evil and to search for a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. In fact, this question is one bearing upon those which influence the leading interests of the peace of nations, as well as those of their trade, which are equally considerable, Wherever the Catholic missionaries have appeared, they have drawn upon themselves the animadversion of the people, and your Excellency is not ignorant that cases Which have arisen during the course of several years embraced points of disagreement of every kind.
The first Catholic missionaries who established themselves in China were called "Titerates (lettres) of the West." The greater part of the conversions took place at that time among respectable people. On the other hand, since the conclusion of the 'Treaties took place (1860), the majority of the converts are persons' without virtue that that religion, whose object is to exhort men to virtue, no longer enjoys any consideration. From that moment consciences have become a prey to uneasiness. 'The Christians have none the less continued, under the shadow of missionary influence, to mislead and oppress the people: thence arose renewed uneasiness, then quarrels between Christians and' non-Christians, and, at last, disturbances. 'The authorities proceed to investigate the affair; the missionaries make common cause with the Christians, and support them in their insubordination' against the same authorities. Thereupon the feeling of disquiet which pervades the people assumes greater proportions. Yet more: veteran rebels, beyond the pale of the law, ama-tours in intrigue, seek a refuge in the Church, and Jean upon her influence in order to commit disorders. At this moment the animosity of the people, already deep, degenerates gradually into a hate which, at length, reaches its paroxysm. The people in general, unaware of the difference which exists between Protestantism and Catholicism, confound these two religions under this' latter denomination. They do not grasp the distinction which should be made between the different nations of which Europe is composed, and give to Europeans the generic name of men from without so that, when troubles break out, foreigners residing in China are all exposed to the same dangers. Even in the provinces where conflicts have not yet taken place, uneasiness and suspicion will certainly appear among the should be investigated, and the guilty people. Is not such a state of things of a potions of powers, acts prejudicial to the nature to occasion a lively feeling of irrireputation of people, and oppressive totation, and, asa result, grave disorders wards the people which provoke its suspi-The differences which exist between the cions and its resentment, are there severely religions and the nationalities are truths repressed. If the missionaries, before which still are beyond the comprehension constructing the religious establishments in of the masses, in spite of the constant China and preaching their doctrine there, efforts which have been exerted in order avoided making themselves odious to the to make them appreciate their nature. principal men and people, the suspicions The Prince and the members of the Yamen would disappear to give place to d mutual during the ten years in which they have confidence, concord would be permanent, one been at the head of affairs, have been would not see churches destroyed and reli a prey to incessant anxiety. These pre-, gion attacked. If these same missionaries cautions have been justified by the events in pursuit of their work, could inspire at Tientsin, the suddenness of which was the masses the conviction that their acts overwhelming. The proceedings against the functionaries (compromised) have been are not opposed to their teaching; if, remaining deaf to the instigations of the begun, the murderers have suffered capital Christians, they avoided, by denying them-punishment, an indemnity has been paid, selves, all interference in the local adminis-and relief given; but, although the affair tration, giving the support of their in-may to-day be almost settled, the Prince fluence' to arbitrary and oppressive acts and the members of the Yamen cannot which engender hatred among the notables throw off the uneasiness which they feel. and the people, they might live in perfect In fact, if this policy is the only one on harmony with the people, and the func-which one can rely (to settle) the differences tionaries would be in a position to protect between Christians and non-Christians, it them. Fear different is the conduct of the will become more precarious in proportion to persons who now come to China to propa-the necessity there will he to recur to it gate therein the Christian religion. "From oftener, and the disorders like those of the information which the Prince and the Tientsin will be repeated more terribly each time. If the question is looked at Yamen have gathergg (respecting the duties imposed on them "by their priesthood) 5 under its present aspect, the question is, these persons found as it were among us an how is it possible to be on good terms and win determined number of States within the to live on either side in peace? It is not State. How, under these conditions, can only to the hatred engendered by the sup-we hope that a durable understanding pressed animosities of the people, but de-should be established, and to prevent the cidedly also to the provocation of the governors and the governed uniting against Christians, that the conflicts on the mis-them in common hostility? sionary question which arise in these pro-The Prince and the members of the vinees, must be attributed. If, on one Yamen are impressed with the desire to side, these conflicts may have been brought ward off from henceforth eventualities so about by the relative incapacity of the local menacing. Ju fact, they fear, in all sincerity, administration, they can certainly also be lest, after the arrangement of the Tien-attributed to' the conduct of the high affair, the animosity of the ignorant Chri Chinese and European functionaries ch: tians of the Empire should take a more with the direction of affairs (affecting the decided tone of insolent bluster, that the two countries), who, knowing the want of Ditterness of the popular resentment should conciliation in the attitude of the mis-increase, and that so much accumulated sionaries and Christiars, show no goodwill bad feeling; causing a sudden explosion, in seeking for the means of remedying the should bring'about a catastrophe. It would evil then beno longer possible for the local With regard to the Europeans they only authorities, nor for the high provincial aim at getting rid of the difficulties of the functionaries, nor even for the Tsung-li moment, without troubling—themselves Yamen, to assert their authority. In the whether by so doing consciences are dis-event of a general rising in China, the Em turbed; to employ coercion is all that is peror will be able to appoint high digni thought of. On the other hand, the local taries to order them to assemble everywhere authorities have only one object, that of imposing forces; but the greatest rigour bringing the matter toa close. Care for does not reach the masses, and when their the future goes for nothing in this short-anger manifests itself, there are persons sighted policy. But if we seek, in concert who refuse to yield their heads to the with the Europeans, to secure by efticaexecutioner. Then, when the evil becomes cious means a really lasting understanding, irremediable, and when the wish we all we do not find among these latter the have to preserve so great interests will no desire to found the discussion on equitable longer be effectual, the men who direct the bases. When this discussion arises, they international affairs of China and of Europe place before us unacceptable means which will not be suffered to decline the respon-they wish to impose on us by force, in sibility which falls on them. In short, in order to be able to put a stop to the mat-the direction of affairs, the important ter. That is, in truth, not the good and true way to take care of the interests of the Point in China so in, Rurope la to satisfy opinion. If failing in this duty, oppression two countries. Anxious about thie whole and violence are employed, a general rising matter, and sincerely desirous that concord will at Inst take place. "There are moand peace should reign for ever between ments when the supreme authority is China and Europe, the Prince and the disregarded. If the high functionaries of auembers of the Yamen are bound to seek China and the Europeans, on whom the best means to secure this result. Their rests the responsibility of the affairs which Delief is, that there are ecclesiastics every-now form the object of our anxiety, re-where in Europe, and that their presence maining unmoved spectators of a situation abroad is there without danger to good which threatens the greatest danger to the harmony. The maintenance of this hap) Chinese people, as well as to strangers, state of things is, doubtless, due to the traders, and individuals, make™no effort employment of certain means, and to this to find a solution which may effectually fact, that ecclesiastics and Christians ab-remedy the evil, it will follow that it will stain from provoking conflicts. The Prince be out of their power to deal in a satisfac-and the members of the Yamen have heard tory manner with the matters which in-that these same ecclesiastics, to whatever terest the public. Consequently with the nationality they anight belong, respected view of protecting the great interests of the law and customs of the country where general peace, and of remedying the abuses they dwelt; that they were not allowed to above pointed out, the Prince and the constitute in them a kind of exceptional members of the Yamen have the honour to independence for themselves; and that the submit, for your Excellency's examination, faults of every kind, such as contraventions a plan of Regulation in eight Articles, of the law, insubordination towards the which has also been communicated to the authority of functionaries, abuses and usur-Representatives of other Powers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.