Tientsin, accompanied by Mr. C. S. Taylor i ing, arrived in this city to-day. They come as represent of the U.S. Legation to investigate and if possible satisfactorily settle the House" question that has been pending since the mob last July.
The Rev. Messrs. Pilcher and Earnewell and Miss Porter, all of the American Methodist Mis ts in this city. They have been visiting some mission out tations to the south and west of this, and will leave on Monday for their respective houses in Tientsin and Peking.
April 16th.
The Consul called on the Governor yesterday and was received with all the Attention and respect that was possible. The Taotai with others were appointed to transact the business with the Consul, This morning early, the Governor returned the call, leaving his card at the inn where the Consul is stopping. In the afternoon, a conference with the Taotai was held according to appointment, Ques-ons of legality of deed, féngeshisi, conce te. were all referred to, though partially ignored by the Consul, who holds the position that the Tsung-li Yamen in their correspondence have admitted the legality of th title and have set aside all these minor items. He (the Consul) asked for a fair exchange of property, or the restoration of the old place with damages and. full protection.
April 17th.
Former conferences have been more less preliminary, but to-day at 11 a.m. real business of some kind will begin. Placards are posted on all the m reets near goud places for sale, forbidding and severely threatening any one who dares to sell any place to the foreigner.
The streets are comparatively quiet, though we hear of some indignation meet ings. The Taotai promised to have these placards removed, but to-day they are more numerous than before, Our right to the property is now publicly admitted, for the placards imply that we can hi the places offered us last year, but refused by us as to means a fair exchange.
The people are not excited. The opposi tion comes from a few, who have influence and know how to uso it with the masses.
April 20th. soocHow. learn that a Census of recently been taken in connection with the Tithing Office JA}, and the returns show a population of about 220,000 inhabitants. This information seems to be reliable, and if so it shows that the population of this city has been greatly over-estimated. Phe general estimates hitherto have ranged all the way from 300,000 to 700,000, with a generally accepted compromise at 500,000. It is one of the many instances of over-estimate of population, which all go to show that the generally accepted estimate of the population of the whole empire, 400,000,000, is by far too large, and_ that those who place it at 250,000,000 or thereabouts are in all probability nearer the truth, The new Fu-t'ai seems to be rather more easy-going than his predecessor, and as a consequence the opium shops are being gradually re-opened, and gambling is again coming the front.
The people have for some time been pretty thoroughly scared upon the subject of fires, and as a consequence have employed extra men to patrol the streets at night for protection against incendiarism, each house on the principal streets paying about ten cash, more oF less, according to ability, for the' purpose. The scare has, however, I think been greatly exaggerated by false rumours of midnight marauders, there having not been more than one such rascal probably where exaggerated reports and imaginary fears have made out there were ten.
29th April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.