In the outlying districts things are improving and the road _between here and Chuhtsingfu is now open for traffic and trade is begin mong to reopen. I have just been talking to several people who have just arrived from the above place. As this road was notorious for the kidnapping of Dr. Taylor, it is perhaps reasonable +o that thing will improve in parts of the province too. case the government have received from several people letters of thanks for the way brigandag> has been suppressed and I enclose one from the Roman Catholic Bishop to the commissioner for Foreign Affairs.
Sir,—I have the honour to remind you that the two districts of Milch and Lunan were overrun with bandits who caused much trouble to the people and put the churches in those districts in great danger, and for this purpose I had the honour of an interview with you when I laid before you details of this matter. This interview took place on March 30 last, since when you were good enough to lay the matter before Commander-in-Chief Tang who
to render all possible protection, etc. instructed the magistrates of those Biaces is therefore with great pleasure that I now inform you that instructions of H. E. the C.-in-C. have been carried out and the churches are all being protected. making me feel quite hopeful, and satisfied with the way in which the affair has been managed. Will you therefore be good enough to express to the Commander-in-Chief my heartiest thanks for his help in the matter and inform him that all our priests are again showng confidence in the government by settling down to ordinary pursuits.
Kindly convey these sentiments to the Commander-in-Chief and oblige.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.