CHAPTER X.

Prospects of the Ti-pings in 1860.--Their Operations.--Relief of

Nankin.--Rout of the Imperialists.--Ti-ping Successes.--British

Interference.--Ti-pings advance on Shanghae.--The Chung-wang's

Address.--Mr. Bruce's Notification.--Mr. Bruce's Dispatch.--The

Future of China.--The Chung-wang's Dispatch.--Mr. Bruce's

Inconsistency.--Missionary "Holmes."--His Statement.--His

Uncourteous Behaviour.--His Inconsistencies.--Suppressed

Missionary Reports.--Rev. Griffith Johns' Report.--Newspaper

Extracts.--The Shanghae Massacre of Ti-pings.--Newspaper

Extracts.--The Author's Reflections thereon.

Gloomy, indeed, were the prospects of the Ti-pings at the opening of the

year 1860. The garrison of Nankin, reduced to less than 20,000 men by

the continual reinforcements despatched to the armies in Kiang-si,

Ngan-whui, and the north bank of the Yang-tze--a proceeding rendered

necessary by the shortness of supplies in the capital--was cut off from

all communication with its armies in the field by a series of works

forming a complete line of circumvallation from the Tsin-hwai river,

which enters the Yang-tze a few miles above Nankin, to Yentzeke, a

position about five miles below the city, and situated on the Yang-tze

river. Large fleets of Imperialist war-junks blockaded the river

communication of the city from below, while, far as the eye could reach,

over hill and valley, the many-bannered hosts of the besieging army

occupied the whole surrounding country. It seemed but a question of a

few weeks more whether the Imperialists would have the courage to storm

the city, or whether starvation would exterminate the noble and

patriotic band of the first Christian movement in China. It was then the

power and organization of the Ti-pings were displayed to their fullest

extent; at no time, since the erection of their standard of liberty, had

their cause been threatened by so imminent a danger, and at no time had

their movements been so skilfully conducted, as during the three months

preceding the relief of Nankin. The tactics first adopted were those of

distracting the attention of the besiegers, and obliging them to detach

portions of their force. In accordance with this project, the army in

the Eastern province of Ngan-whui, commanded by Le, the Chung-wang

(formerly general of the first Northern expedition), and the army in

Kiang-si, commanded by the I-wang (the Tien-wang's brother Shih-ta-kae),

by forced marches placed themselves upon the rear of the besieging army,

and seriously threatened its lines of communication.

The Chung-wang, starting from the vicinity of Wuhu and Tai-ping-foo, on

the south bank of the Yang-tze, by a flank march in a south-easterly

direction, placed himself immediately in the rear of the grand army of

Imperialists encamped before Nankin. Detaching a strong column to

threaten the cities of Soo-chow and Chang-chau, the principal depôts of

the enemy, he hurried his main body by forced marches to the provincial

capital Hang-chau, and, after heavy fighting, upon the 19th of March

mined the walls, and obtained possession of the outer city. The Manchoo

garrison, after holding out in the inner or Tartar city for six days,

were succoured by a considerable force from Kiang-su, which joining

them, recovered the city; the Ti-pings retiring, after inflicting severe

loss amongst their opponents.

In the meanwhile, the I-wang, concentrating his forces upon the Kiang-si

frontier, also invaded the Che-kiang province, but from a point more to

the south. After capturing the prefectural cities Ku-chau and Yen-chau,

and descending the Tsien-tang river to within a short distance of

Hang-chau, he suddenly turned north, and effected a junction with the

Chung-wang.

This strategy, however, had not the anticipated effect, and the

Imperialist army, besieging Nankin, continued to direct their main

efforts to the recapture of that city. The garrison, in consequence,

became reduced to the greatest straits, and suffered terrible

privations. During all their trials, their hope and courage never

faltered for a moment; in the midst of his perishing people, the

Tien-wang calmly and sublimely taught them to call upon God as the sure

means of deliverance from their pressing danger.

Hanging his banner from the walls of his palace, and seated within full

view and range of the Manchoo commander's camp, upon a hill directly

opposite, the Tien-wang devoutly composed a special doxology for the use

of the garrison. From the soldiers on the walls to the little children

in their mothers' arms, by day and by night, the voice of praise and

supplication ascended to the heavens. Whatever _we_ may consider the

faults and errors of these men, most of them are now in the presence of

their Maker; and if a full and earnest and Christian belief in His Word

can benefit mankind in a future state, they--and, after a close

intercourse of several years with the Ti-pings, I say it without a

shadow of doubt--will be rewarded.

At last, finding it impossible to effect the relief of the capital by

distant operations, it became imperative to assemble an army of relief

without delay. Arrangements were accordingly made for a simultaneous

attack by the armies in the field, and a sortie in force by the

garrison. The combined forces of the Chung and I-wangs marched directly

upon the rear of the besieging army, and on the 3rd of May, the garrison

sallying forth from each gate of the city, according to preconcerted

signal, the advanced guard of the approaching army burst through the

Imperialist lines, and effected a junction with them. The day was

bitterly cold, and, taking advantage of a thick snow-storm, the van of

the army of relief--which, to the number of nearly 20,000, had, by a

successful raid for horses, been mounted for the occasion--made their

charge with complete success.

Directly the combination was effected, the entire force turned upon the

Imperialist army. The right and left wing of the besiegers, considerably

distant from the centre through which the Ti-ping cavalry had charged,

and, moreover, unable to perceive the movements taking place, through

the snow-storm and grey light of the morning, and being informed only of

the sortie, moved forward upon the city, confident in their numbers, and

expecting to easily drive back the weakened garrison, and enter the city

with them.

Meanwhile, leaving a detachment with the troops from the city to hold

their ground, the Ti-ping cavalry charged straight back upon the enemy's

centre, and falling upon them while they were yet re-forming and in

confusion, drove them off the field with tremendous slaughter. Then,

forming into two bodies, they attacked each wing of the Imperialist

army, which, having discovered the arrival of reinforcements to the

garrison, was now retreating to its lines. It was at this critical

moment the Ti-ping cavalry, after literally riding over the reserves in

rear of the lines, came down upon them. Pressed by the attack of the

garrison in their rear, and unable to cross the creeks and ditches in

face of the cavalry in any order, the carnage became fearful. All the

trenches, dug by their own hands, were choked by the bodies of the

Imperialists--scarcely a man that had crossed those limits escaped. When

the work of slaughter could be safely entrusted to the garrison alone,

the cavalry followed in pursuit of the retreating enemy. The whole

Ti-ping army having now arrived upon the field, the rout of the

Imperialists became total--arms, flags, ammunition, and provisions,

everything that made them an army, were abandoned, and in the wildest

panic its miserable remnants fled for refuge to the district city of

Tan-Yang.

It is estimated that they lost no less than 60,000 men during the action

and pursuit. The country for many miles was covered with their bodies,

which also filled the creeks, and stopped the running waters.

Vigorously following up their successes, town after town, including that

of Tan-Yang, fell into the hands of the Ti-pings. Several Imperialist

armies marched from Soo-chow and Chang-chow to oppose them, but in each

case were totally defeated; the second in command was killed, while

Ho-chun, the Manchoo Commander-in-Chief, committed suicide. The mass of

disorganized troops dispersed themselves all over the country for

plunder, and great numbers flocked to the magnificent city of Soo-chow,

the gates of which were closed against them; they then gave themselves

up to all kinds of excesses, and setting fire to the extensive and

wealthy suburbs, committed every description of pillage and rapine. When

the Ti-ping army approached, a few days later, the authorities abandoned

it, and this, the most important city in Central China, fell into their

hands upon the 24th day of May.

During the next three months the Ti-pings were engaged in taking

possession of all the cities within a considerable distance, and in

establishing their rule throughout the adjoining departments, including

the silk districts of Ly-hong, Wu-seih, Kin-tang, Es-hing, Tay-saam,

Tsat-lee, Kia-hing, Hu-chau, &c. Supplies were forwarded to Nankin in

large quantity, the Budhist idols and temples were demolished far and

wide, and in their stead the Ti-pings introduced the Holy Scriptures to

every household within their jurisdiction. Their regular and moderate

system of taxation was enforced, and those country people who at the

first alarm had fled from their homes were gradually returning. At

Shanghae, in the meanwhile, the report of the Ti-ping successes, and

the prospect of their early advance upon that city, was made the

occasion for the first display of that un-English perfidy that has since

been carried to such a monstrous extent.

It will be remembered that the British authorities had already

recognized the Ti-pings as a belligerent power, and were therefore not

only bound to observe a strict neutrality by every article of

international law, but had actually sought and communicated with them,

and in the person of Sir George Bonham solemnly guaranteed in writing

their observance of neutrality, receiving from the revolutionists a

similar assurance. Yet, in flagrant violation of the professions of

non-intervention, Mr. Bruce took upon himself, in his capacity as

superintendent of British trade, to commit a breach of neutrality by the

following proclamation and its fulfilment:--

"The undersigned issues this special proclamation, &c.

"Shanghae is a port open to foreign trade, and the native

dealers residing therein have large transactions with the

foreigners who resort to the place to carry on their business.

_Were it to become the scene of attack and civil war, commerce

would receive a severe blow_, and the interests of those,

whether foreign or native, who wish to pursue their peaceful

avocations in quiet, would suffer great loss.

"The undersigned will therefore call upon the commanders of Her

Majesty's naval and military authorities to take proper measures

to prevent the inhabitants of Shanghae from being exposed to

massacre and pillage, and to lend their assistance to put down

any insurrectionary movements among the ill-disposed, and to

protect the city against _any attack_.

(Signed) "FREDK. W. A. BRUCE.

"_Shanghae, May 26, 1860._"

The solemn pledges made by England were thus deliberately violated, but,

as will be seen, that injustice was prompted by mercenary

considerations, masked by philanthropic pretensions. Besides this, we

find Mr. Bruce audaciously, if not idiotically, declaring his intention

to violate a British guarantee:--

"And it appeared to me _that without taking any part_ in this

civil contest, or expressing any opinion on the rights of the

parties, we might _protect_ Shanghae from attack, and _assist_

the authorities in preserving tranquillity."

As Mr. Bruce states defending cities for the Manchoos by shooting down

the Ti-pings is "without taking any part" in the internecine war, it

would be amusing to have his ideas as to the meaning of "taking part."

Not satisfied with injuring the rights of an acknowledged belligerent,

Mr. Bruce, a few days after, adds insult to injury. The Kan-wang having

forwarded a dispatch to the consuls of England, France, and the United

States, Mr. Bruce issued the following instructions to the British

Consul:--

"With reference to the letter addressed to you, in common with

the consuls of France and the United States, by one of the

leaders of the insurgents, I am clearly of opinion that it is

both inexpedient and objectionable on principle that her

Majesty's consuls should hold any communication with the

insurgents at Soo-chow, and I have, therefore, to instruct you

_to take no notice of it_."

It would be satisfactory to know upon what "principle" Mr. Bruce excuses

this act of injustice, and, also, where he obtained his ideas of

belligerent and neutral "principles." The inconsistency of his conduct

will be seen a little further on, when, although taking "no notice" of

the Ti-ping dispatch, he sends them a communication which he expects

_they_ are to notice.

Throughout the rebellion, the Ti-pings had naturally been anxious to

obtain possession of some seaport at which they would be enabled to

trade with foreigners, and obtain supplies of arms and munitions of war,

as the Imperialists did at the treaty ports. After Soo-chow had been

occupied about three months, the Ti-pings, relying on the pledges that

had been given, marched upon Shanghae to take possession of it, the

Manchoo power being completely crushed.

Previous to this advance, Soo-chow had been visited by a large number of

missionaries and mercantile gentlemen, who all reported most favourably

upon the character, aim, and religion, of the insurgents. Of these

reports, however, those only were made public to the people of England

which contained false and garbled accounts, intended to justify the

violation of neutrality and the defence of Shanghae. Before referring to

the suppressed reports, we will notice the attack upon the city.

Depending upon the British guarantees and good faith, the

Chung-wang--leaving the bulk of his forces to garrison different places,

and march against the remaining Manchoos in the field--advanced upon

Shanghae himself to treat with the foreign representatives; and

expecting no opposition, instead of throwing his large and victorious

army rapidly upon the city, simply brought with him a portion of his own

body-guard, and some 3,000 irregular troops, more as an escort than for

any offensive purpose. On approaching the city, the Chung-wang addressed

and forwarded to the Foreign Ministers the following communication--the

very same which Mr. Bruce ordered the consul to take "no notice of."

"Le, the Loyal King of the Heavenly Dynasty, &c., to the

Honourable Envoys, &c.

"Previous to moving my army from Soo-chow I wrote to you,

acquainting you that it would soon reach Shanghae, and that if

the residences of your honourable nations and the mercantile

establishments would hoist yellow flags as distinguishing marks,

I would give immediate orders to my officers and soldiers

prohibiting them from entering or disturbing them in any way. As

you would consequently have received and perused my letter, I

supposed you would act according to the tenor of it. I was not

aware, however, until yesterday, that the people of your

honourable nations had erected churches in other places in the

prefecture of Sung-keang in which they taught the Gospels, when

my army, being at the town of Sze-king, fell in with a body of

imps (Imperialists), who resisted its progress, when my soldiers

attacked and destroyed a number of them. Among these imps there

were four foreigners, one of whom my soldiers killed, as they

did not know to what country he belonged. However, in order to

maintain my good faith to treat foreigners well, I caused the

soldier who had killed the foreigner to be at once executed,

thus keeping my word.

"Afterwards, seeing that there was a church at Sze-king, I then

knew for the first time that the people of your honourable

nations came there to teach the Gospel, and that although they

had not hoisted a yellow flag, they had not been assisting the

imps.

"But though the past is done with, precautions can be taken for

the future. My army is now about to proceed directly to

Shanghae, and in the towns or villages through which it will

pass, should there be churches, I earnestly hope that you will

give orders to the people of them to stand at the doors to give

information that they are churches, so that there may be no

mistakes in future.

"My forces have already arrived at Tseih-paen, and they will

soon reach Shanghae. I therefore earnestly hope that you the

honourable envoys will call the people of your nations before

you, direct them to close their doors, remain inside, and hoist

yellow flags at their houses, when they need have no fear of my

soldiers, as I have already given orders to them that they must

not, in that case, molest or injure any one.

"As soon as I myself arrive, I purpose discussing with you all

other business. In the meantime I send this hasty communication,

and take the opportunity to inquire after your health.

"Tai-ping, Tien-kwo, 10th year, 7th moon, 9th day (August 18th,

1860)."

When the Chung-wang had arrived within a short distance of Shanghae, Mr.

Bruce, although taking "no notice" of the Ti-ping communications, was

sufficiently inconsistent to forward the following despatch:--

"NOTIFICATION.

"Reports having reached us of an armed force having been

collected in the neighbourhood of Shanghae, we, the commanders

of the military and naval forces of her Britannic Majesty at

Shanghae, hereby give notice that the _city of Shanghae_ and

foreign settlement are militarily occupied by the forces of her

Britannic Majesty and her ally the Emperor of the French; and

they warn all persons that, if armed bodies of men attack or

approach the positions held by them, they will be considered as

commencing hostilities against the allied forces, and will be

dealt with accordingly.

"Shanghae, August 16, 1860."

This precious notification was sent on board a gun-boat and taken to a

place entirely out of the line of march of the advancing forces, and of

course was not delivered. Unprepared for foreign hostility, the

Ti-pings, upon the 18th of August, appeared before Shanghae, and driving

in the Tartar outposts advanced with a run to the walls, perfectly

unacquainted with the fact that they were manned by English and French

soldiers. Instead of the friendly reception always given by the Ti-pings

to foreigners, and which they expected would now be returned, they were

met with a storm of shot, shell, and musketry. The few following

extracts are from the official organ, and give an account of the

unjustifiable slaughter of men whose great hope was to enter into close

and friendly relations with their "foreign brethren," for whose "strict

neutrality" the British Government had solemnly pledged itself:--

"The camp had an earthwork all round, on which several American

cannon were mounted. Since the allied occupation of the city all

executions have been perpetrated here. Against this place the

rebels advanced with unusual boldness. The Chinese soldiers and

officers fought for some time with great spirit, but at last ran

away as fast as possible, followed by the insurgents, who hoped

to rush pell-mell with them to the city, and get through the

west gate."

Now commences the "reception" given to the patriots by men whom, from

first to last, they have considered and treated as brethren.

"Captain Cavanagh then ordered the bridge to be destroyed, and

gave the insurgents a rather _warm reception_ from the city-wall

with rifles and canister.

"In the course of the afternoon two guns of Captain McIntyre's

Madras mountain train were seen coming along outside the city

wall, with only a small moat between them and the foe"--(Foe!

The word is false: the Ti-pings came as friends, not foes)--"who

were dodging about behind graves, houses, and trees, towards the

south gate; but, _curious to relate, not a shot was fired_."

The "curious" thing to relate is the wonderful forbearance of those men,

who, although several hundred of their comrades were mowed down by the

savages on the walls, never retaliated with a single shot, but even

permitted two guns to be placed in a commanding position from which they

were subsequently used against them with fatal effect.

"The nature of the country outside the gates gave ample scope to

the enemy to conceal themselves, so it was only when a group

could be observed that the howitzers and a Chinese gun--the

latter under Gunner Warwick--could be used with effect. The

insurgents, however, are certainly no cowards, and constantly

showed themselves near the wall from the south and the west

gates.

"The firing of the foreigners, both from the cannon and rifles,

was excellent. As soon as canister was useless, the foe were

treated to shell, thrown time after time into the very middle of

their flags.

"When driven back from the south gate, the rebels retired past

the south-west angle, where Lieutenant O'Grady, who was waiting

for them in the piquet-house with some marines and Sikhs, gave

them another dressing.

"Captain Maxwell, at the little south gate, had given his

Loodianahs plenty to do, and although they were only armed with

Brown Bess, they inflicted no small loss on the enemy.

"Gunner Deacon, Royal Marine Artillery, had rigged up a gun

belonging to the _Taoutae_, and worked it in the coolest manner

and with great success.

"Among others killed on the enemy's side was an European who had

made himself very conspicuous. Accompanying him was a

half-caste, who _unfortunately_ managed to escape. There were

several foreigners to be seen among the insurgents, and another

is supposed to have fallen outside Captain Budd's position."

The murderous sentiment expressed in the foregoing passage would be much

more appropriately applied to the conscience-bound mercenaries who

defended Shanghae. All the _gallant_ deeds related were, literally, the

slaughter of some 300 Ti-pings who made _no reply whatever_ to the

dastardly fire of men, who upon that day inflicted an indelible stain

upon their nation's scutcheon.

The official report continues:--

"As soon as it could be done in safety, parties were sent from

the various posts to _burn down_ such houses in the suburbs as

could afford shelter to the enemy, and the fires raged outside

the west and south gates during the whole of Saturday night.

Thus ended the first day's work, with _no small loss_ to the

enemy, but _without a single casualty_ to report on the foreign

side."

The officials not only carefully ignore the burnings and destruction

committed by British troops, when they write of precisely similar

doings upon the part of the Ti-pings, but actually report upon the

"_gallantry_" of certain officers and men concerned in this butchery of

unresisting victims.

The report proceeds with the next day's exploits:--

"Sunday morning broke upon a scene of conflagration and

destruction. Our _gallant_ allies (the French) set to work, in a

manner peculiar to themselves, to drive away the danger, and, to

prevent its recurrence, fired the suburb, which is by far the

richest and most important collection of native houses. It is

here that the Chinese wholesale merchants live. An immense

quantity of goods, especially sugar, was stored there, and as

the conflagration in its rapid progress licked up a sugar hong,

or soy factory, the flames sprang up with fearful grandeur.

"About two o'clock the _Kestrel_ and _Hong-kong_ came steaming

down against a strong tide past the burning suburb. The firing,

too, had recommenced at the south gate from double-shotted guns

and howitzers. Driven from their cover by these means, and

compelled to take up a new position, the enemy laid himself open

to some fine rifle practice. McIntyre's guns were too well

handled to let them hide in any of the buildings yet standing,

and _Lieutenant O'Grady_, with some marines, opened a most

destructive fire from the look-out. This _gallant_ officer is

really an excellent shot, and we believe it is reckoned in this

affair twenty men fell to his rifle, with scarcely one

intervening miss."

What can the people of England think of a British officer coolly resting

his rifle, through sheer _gaîté de coeur_, upon the parapet, and

shooting down twenty of his fellow-creatures while in perfect safety

himself? not a single shot in reply being directed towards any part

where Europeans were stationed.

The terrible work was thus continued:--

"On Monday morning, the 20th August, the enemy had advanced in

greater strength than ever. It was really a curious sight to see

them moving along every one of the little paths which run

parallel to the city walls, each man carrying a flag, and all

moving in Indian file, but in excellent order, _and quite calm

and steady_. On they came _without hesitation_, perfectly within

range, and seemed to direct their attention principally to the

west gate. Lieutenant O'Grady had been sent there with some

marines to assist Captain Cavanagh; and the Madras artillerymen

having rigged up a gun, a heavy fire was kept up, and the

insurgents have to thank the nature of the ground that their

loss was not very large. _Strange to say, scarcely a shot was

returned._"

When interested people state this, one can easily imagine what the truth

must be.

"During the night the dispatch boat, _Pioneer_, had proceeded up

the river, and began dropping 13-inch shells in among the rebel

flags. One of these exploded right in the very centre of about

100 red banners, which immediately afterwards disappeared.

"Some pretty examples might be given of the _splendid_ way the

shooting was carried on. A large number of yellow flag rebels

were observed to enter a long white house about three-quarters

of a mile off. Captain McIntyre" (who would have been killed on

the first day outside the walls, if the Ti-pings had only

thought fit to answer the murderous fire poured upon them) "put

a shell through the roof, and among others is supposed to have

wounded the second officer in command of the rebel army."

It was not the second in command, it was the Chung-wang himself who was

wounded, a piece of shell striking him on the cheek, and causing a

slight impediment of speech ever afterwards. The last attempt the

Ti-pings made to enter Shanghae was repulsed on Monday night. Of the

next day the report states:--

"On Tuesday but very little work took place, as the rebels had

retreated quite out of range. The conflagration raised by the

French in the water suburb was still raging, and it was

melancholy to see hong after hong, full of valuable goods,

falling a prey to the devouring element."

After the advance of the Ti-pings upon the first day, when they were

unexpectedly driven back with a loss of about 3,000 men, they met Mr.

Milne, a missionary. These men were Chinese, and must have been maddened

by the unprovoked slaughter of their relatives and comrades, but instead

of wreaking vengeance, as naturally to be expected from Asiatics, with a

forbearance beyond all praise they did not even make him a prisoner,

but, upon finding he was a missionary, sent him to the city gates with a

guard to protect him from any straggling and vengeful soldier. Mr. Milne

reached the gate in safety, but his guard while retreating were each

shot down by British soldiers upon the walls!

At the time this unparalleled breach of faith took place at Shanghae,

England was bound by every tie, legally or theoretically binding, to

maintain a strict neutrality between the two contending powers. Not only

by Sir George Bonham's, Consul Meadows', Lord Elgin's, and Mr. Bruce's

guarantees was the nation pledged to a neutral position; there was also

an Ordinance of Neutrality passed by Sir John Bowring, Governor of

Hong-kong, in 1855, the principal clause of which is as follows:--

"That it shall be a misdemeanour punishable by not more than two

years' imprisonment, &c., for any British subject within any

part of China to assist _either the existing Chinese

government_, or any or either of the different factions at

present engaged, or who may be hereafter engaged in opposition

to the government, by personal enlistment in the service of

_either_ of the said several parties, or by procuring other

persons to enlist in such service, or by furnishing, selling, or

procuring warlike stores of any description, or by fitting out

vessels, or by knowingly and purposely doing _any other act to

assist either party, by which neutrality may be violated_."

It is therefore highly improbable that Mr. Bruce dared upon his own

responsibility to violate all these existing bonds and regulations: much

more does it resemble the policy of secret instructions. A perusal of

the despatches of the Minister at Pekin must lead to this conclusion,

more particularly when a comparison is drawn between the following

extracts from a despatch of Mr. Bruce to Lord Russell, dated Shanghae,

June 10th, 1860, and his defence of Shanghae only a few weeks later:--

"Without discussing" (he is discussing with Earl Russell,

therefore the plan of intervention was undoubtedly submitted to

him) "whether intervention, under the peculiar circumstances of

the civil contest in China, _be justifiable or not_, or whether

it would be expedient, with a view to opening the Yang-tze river

to trade, to recapture towns, such as Nankin and Chin-kiang,

which command it, _I am inclined to doubt the policy_ of

attempting to restore by force of arms the power of the Imperial

government in cities and provinces occupied, or rather overrun,

by the insurgents."

Yet scarcely two months elapse when Mr. Bruce acts in direct

contradiction to this opinion!

The following passage from the same despatch speaks in the _very

strongest terms against intervention_:--

"The Chinese officials, pressed for money, and relying on

foreign support, would become _more than ever cruel, corrupt,

and oppressive_; and the Chinese, deprived of _popular_

insurrection, their rude but efficacious remedy against local

oppressors, would _with justice throw on the foreigner the odium

of excesses which his presence alone would render possible_. The

consequence would be, popular hostility, reprisals, and that

train of events which would render it necessary to _appropriate

permanently_ the province occupied, or to retire from it,

_leaving behind a bitter ill-will among the people_. _No course

could be so well calculated to lower our national reputation, as

to lend our material support to a government the corruption of

whose authorities is only checked by its weakness._" (_!!!_)

Such is the opinion of a resident British minister, an opinion

constantly reiterated. The people of England may then well wonder at

conduct in such direct opposition to the reports of the Government

representative in China. The observations of Col. Sykes, M.P., &c., in

his advocacy of a high principle, are worthy of attention. At page 18 of

his valuable little work "The Taeping Rebellion in China," he states:--

"Incredible as it may appear, while we were shooting down those

who asked for our friendship, and were defending a city

belonging to a government with which we were at war, and

collecting custom duties by Mr. Lay and other British subjects,

on account of the Emperor of China, that very emperor was

sanctioning British and French officers and soldiers being

tortured and put to death at Pekin, and the Prince Kung, the

brother of the emperor, in whom we are now placing such implicit

confidence, was at that time in such a position at Pekin as to

have been able to prevent the cruelties perpetrated upon our

officers and men."

People generally disregard everything connected with China, considering

the policy towards that empire, and its affairs, of but small moment to

themselves or state. Unless engaged in the China trade, in a selfish and

narrow-minded point of view it may be so; but if we reflect upon the

immensity of the Chinese empire, its direct population of one-third of

the human race, and its indirect brotherhood with about one-half

(including Malays, Tartars, Eluths, Mongolians, Thibetians,

Cochin-Chinese, Anamese, &c.),--upon the fact that this vast Empire has

outlived all the mighty ones of Europe,--that her civilization,

Christianity, and power, _has yet to come_,--if we think why and for

what purpose the Creator has fashioned one-half his people of the same

race, or ponder as to the future of a people who constitute a body

sixteen times more numerous than the population of Great Britain, and

who may possibly at a future time attain a position in the world

proportionately equal to the present greatness of England herself--if

these facts are reflected upon, they will present deep and interesting

themes to the mind of every man not entirely absorbed with his own

littleness, and who can rise above the exigencies of the present moment.

Repulsed from the walls of Shanghae by those whom he had always regarded

as brothers in the same Faith, the Chung-wang sent the following

proclamation to the European consuls on the 21st August:--

"Le, the loyal Prince of the Heavenly Dynasty, &c., &c.,

addresses this communication to you, the Honourable Consuls of

Great Britain, United States of America, Portugal, and other

countries.

"That good faith must be kept is the principle which guides our

dynasty in its friendly relations with other peoples; but

deceitful forgetfulness of previous arrangements is the real

cause of foreign nations having committed a wrong. When my army

reached Soo-chow, Frenchmen, accompanied by people of other

nations, came there to trade. They personally called upon me,

and invited me to come to Shanghae to consult respecting

friendly relations between us in future. Knowing that your

nations worship, like us, God the Heavenly Father and Jesus the

Heavenly Elder Brother, and are therefore of one religion and of

one origin with us, I placed entire and undoubting confidence in

their words, and consequently came to meet you at Shanghae.

"It never occurred to my mind that the French, allowing

themselves to be deluded by the imps (the Chinese Imperial

authorities), would break their word and turn their backs upon

the arrangement made. Not only, however, did they not come on my

arrival to meet and consult with me, but they entered into an

agreement with the imps to protect the city of Shanghae against

us, by which they violated their original agreement. Such

proceedings are contrary to the principles of justice.

"Now, supposing that the French take under their protection the

city of Shanghae, and a few li (a mile or two) around it, how

will they be able, within that small space, to sell their

merchandise, and to carry on conveniently their mercantile

transactions?

"I have also learnt that the French have received no small

amount of money from the imps of Hien-Fung (the emperor), which

they have without doubt shared amongst the other nations. If you

other nations have not received the money of the imps, why did

several of your people also appear with the French when they

came to Soo-chow and invited me to Shanghae to confer together?

It is as clear as daylight that your people also appeared at

Soo-chow, and urgently requested me to come to Shanghae. Their

words still ring in my ears; it is impossible that the affair

should be forgotten.

"My army having reached this place, if the French alone had

broken their engagements, coveted the money of the imps, and

protected their city, how was it that not one man of your

nations came to consult personally with me? You must have also

taken money from the imps of Hien-Fung and divided it amongst

you. Seeing, again, you committed a wrong, without taking into

consideration that you would have to go to other places than

Shanghae to carry on commercial business. You do not apparently

know that the imps of Hien-Fung, seeing that your nations are of

the same religion and family as the Heavenly Dynasty, used money

to establish a connection; this is employing others to kill, and

using schemes to cause separations.

"The French have been seduced by the money of the imps, because

they only scheme after profits at Shanghae, and have no

consideration for the trade at other places. They have not only

no plea on which to meet me, but still less have they any ground

on which to come before God the Heavenly Father, and Jesus the

Heavenly Elder Brother, or even our own armies, and the other

nations of the earth.

"Our Sovereign Lord was appointed by heaven, and has ruled now

for ten years. One half the territory he possesses contains the

rich lands in the east and south. The national treasury contains

sufficient funds to supply all the wants of our armies.

Hereafter, when the whole face of the country is united under

our sway, every part will be contained within our registers, and

our success will not depend on the small district of Shanghae.

"But with human feelings, and in human affairs, all acts have

their consequences. The French have violated their faith, and

broken the peace between us. Since they have in advance, acted

thus contrary to reason, if they henceforth remain fixed at

Shanghae to carry on their mercantile business, they may so

manage. But if they again come into our territory to trade, or

pass into our boundaries, I, so far as I am concerned, may in a

spirit of magnanimity, bear with their presence and refrain from

reckoning with them on the past. Our forces and officers,

however, who have now been subjected to their deceit, must all

be filled with indignation, and desirous of revenge; and it is

to be feared that they will not again be permitted, at their

convenience, to repair to our territory.

"On coming to Soo-chow I had the general command of upwards of

one thousand officers, and several tens of thousands of

soldiers, a brave army which has power to put down all

opposition, and whose force is as strong as the hills. If we had

the intention of attacking Shanghae, then what city have they

not subdued? What place have they not stormed?

"I have, however, taken into consideration that you and we alike

worship Jesus, and that, after all, there exists between us the

relationship of a common basis and common doctrines. Moreover, I

came to Shanghae to make a treaty in order to see us connected

together by trade and commerce; I did not come for the purpose

of fighting with you. Had I at once commenced to attack the city

and kill the people, that would have been the same as the

members of one family fighting among themselves, which would

have caused the imps to ridicule us.

"Further, amongst the people of foreign nations at Shanghae,

there must be varieties in capacity and disposition: there must

be men of sense, who know the principles of right, and are well

aware of what is advantageous and what injurious. They cannot

all covet the money of the impish dynasty, and forget the

general trading interests in this country.

"Hence, I shall for the present repress this day's indignation,

and charitably open a path by which to alter our present

positions towards each other. I am extremely apprehensive that

if my soldiers were to take Shanghae, they would not be able to

distinguish the good from the bad, in which case I shall be

without grounds to come before Jesus, the Heavenly Elder

Brother.

"Out of a feeling of deep anxiety on your behalf, I am

constrained to make an earnest statement to you foreign nations,

as to what is wisdom and what folly in these affairs, and as to

the amount of advantage and injury of the different courses open

to you. I beg you, foreign nations, again carefully to consider

what course would be gainful, what a losing one.

"Should any of your honourable nations regret what has occurred,

and hold friendly relations with our state to be best, they need

have no apprehensions in coming to consult with me. I treat

people according to right principles, and will certainly not

subject them to any indignities. Should, however, your

honourable nations still continue to be deluded by the imps,

follow their lead in all things, without reflecting on the

difference between you; you must not blame me if hereafter you

find it difficult to pass along the channels of commerce, and if

there is no outlet for native produce.

"I have to beg all your honourable nations to again and again

weigh in your minds the circumstances; and now write this

special communication, and trust you will favour me with a

reply.

"I beg to make inquiries after your health.

"Taeping, Tien-kwo, 10th year, 7th moon, 12th day."

With strange, but most probably compulsory inconsistency, after the

defence of Shanghae, Mr. Bruce, although previously opposing any

intervention or help to the Manchoos in the strong terms already quoted

in his despatch to Lord Russell concerning that event, abuses the

Ti-pings almost as strongly, as if to justify the outrage he had been

guilty of towards them. In one part of the despatch referred to, dated

Shanghae, September 4th, 1860, Mr. Bruce, speaking of the Ti-ping

advance upon Shanghae, states:--

"They were perfectly, however, aware of our intention to defend

the town. It was explained to them in the most unequivocal

manner by Mr. Edkins during his late visit to Soo-chow, to whom

they seem to have attributed an official character. It probably

conduced to the ungracious reception he met with."

Now this passage is entirely contrary to fact, which will be perceived

directly on perusing the account given by Mr. Edkins _himself_. At

another part of his defence, Mr. Bruce states:--

"It is certain that even Hung-jin (Kan-wang), from whom, as

_educated_ in a missionary school, and therefore _better

instructed in religious doctrine_, and of more _liberal_ views

than the Ti-pings in general, the Protestant missionaries

expected great things, declined to abandon or postpone the

attempt on Shanghae."

This hollow accusation against Hung-jin in particular, and the Ti-pings

in general, is as ridiculous as it is so to call the Ti-pings

_illiberal_, because they would not desist from capturing an important

city of the enemy, the possession of which was absolutely necessary for

their existence.

It is now desirable to notice the following extract from the same

despatch. The Mr. Holmes referred to in it visited Nankin about the

same time Shanghae was defended, and wrote an account of what took place

in such terms as to render it difficult to believe it ever emanated from

the pen of a minister of the Gospel, particularly when it is remembered

that the stronger the grounds might have been to condemn the religious

belief of the Ti-pings, the greater the duty of Mr. Holmes to fulfil his

mission and teach them better. Mr. Holmes was sent to China as a

missionary and not as a theological critic; neither was he required to

teach those who were perfect in the Faith; his services were required by

(and had he done his duty would have been given to) people struggling

through the clouds of paganism and ignorance, such as he describes the

Ti-pings to have been encompassed with. Why, then, did Mr. Holmes make

no attempt to succour those who acknowledged the same Saviour, whose

Word he professed to teach, who had accepted the Bible in its full

integrity, and who, in my presence, have implored missionaries to remain

among and teach them those mysteries they were not able to interpret?

Why did Mr. Holmes report in such an uncharitable spirit of men freely

receiving and professing Christianity, and make not the slightest effort

to rectify the faults he so condemned? Mr. Holmes has thus laid himself

open to severe censure; but he is not the only missionary to blame.

Although vast sums of money are contributed in England, and expensive

missions sent to people and countries that _will not profess_; how is it

that _no attempt_ has been made to help the millions at one time

constituting the Ti-ping revolution, who not only _professed_

Christianity as their principal object, but who fought, suffered, and

died for it.

Mr. Bruce goes on to state:--

"I enclose herewith a very interesting account given by a Mr.

Holmes, a Baptist American missionary, of a trip he had made

lately to Nankin....

"I beg _particularly_ to call your Lordship's attention to Mr.

Holmes's general reflections at the close of his letter....

"But as the chief is an _ignorant fanatic, if not an impostor_,

and the bulk of his adherents are drawn from the dangerous

classes of China, the result is the rule of the sword in its

worst form....

"Their system differs in nothing, as far as I can learn, from

the proceedings of a band of _brigands_ organized under one

head."

Mr. Bruce, it will be seen, went quite out of his way to enclose this

"interesting account" from an "_American_ Baptist missionary," but quite

overlooked the reports of the British missionaries, which were entirely

suppressed.

As for Mr. Bruce's reflections upon the "ignorance" of the Ti-ping-Wang,

and the form of "brigandage," those who follow through this history will

probably feel justified in questioning the accuracy of his conclusions

and in condemning the spirit which dictated them.

The following are extracts from the "particularly recommended" account,

and embrace the principal points:--

"We ran all night, and next morning anchored in the mouth of the

creek which leads from the river up to the city of Nankin. On

inquiring for some one with whom we could communicate, I was

invited to enter the fort, and on doing so was received by a

tall Kwang-si officer. He greeted me as his _ocean brother_, and

drawing me down to a seat beside him in the _place of honour_,

entered at once into conversation."

Upon entering the city, Mr. Holmes states:--

"We were received by a venerable-looking and very polite old

man, whom we learned to call Pung-ta-jen (his Excellency Mr.

Pung). He had been requested by the Chang-wang to entertain us

with supper.... We found him exceedingly polite and affable, and

I thought I could discern some appearance of _real_ religious

character, which is more than I can say for any other man I

met."

Mr. Holmes was thus received by the Chang-wang:--

"On being seated, he began the conversation as follows:--

"'Wha-seen-sung (be assured), foreigners and men of the Heavenly

kingdom are all brethren. We all believe in the Heavenly Father

and Son, and are, therefore, brethren. Is it not so?'

"I then mentioned the object for which I had come, speaking of

the deep interest which had long been felt in their cause by

foreign Christians.

"After receiving assurances from him of their _gratification_ at

my arrival, we retired.

"The Tien-Wang, we were informed on the evening of our arrival,

was _much gratified_ at our coming.

"After this, the Chang-wang invited me in to see him again.

Being quartered in his house, it was quite convenient to go in

at any time.... He then proceeded to give an outline of

Christianity, which, though very loose and general, _contained

little that could be objected to_:--God, the Creator of all

things; Jesus, his son, the Saviour of the world; the Holy

Spirit--the words correct in the main, though I afterwards

became convinced that neither he, nor any of them, had any

adequate idea of their true signification. 'Was this what we

believed, also?' he asked, when he had finished his

recapitulation. I gave him to understand that I had _no

objection_ to make to what he had said, but that they appeared

to have other doctrines which I did not understand the import

of, for example, Mr. Pung had spoken of worshipping the Heavenly

Father, the Heavenly Brother, and the Tien-Wang, and of these

three being one. To this he simply replied _that Mr. Pung had

preached erroneously_."

Now this plain avowal of the _correct_ and _intimate_ knowledge the

Ti-ping leaders possessed of Christianity might well, one would suppose,

have satisfied even Mr. Holmes; for what more could be expected from men

but newly awakened to the truth, and yet struggling towards the

gradually increasing light?

Another striking example of the enlightened character of the Ti-ping

chiefs is thus given by Mr. Holmes, and should certainly have impressed

him favourably:--

"Another similar chair was placed near him (Chang-wang), on

which he invited me to be seated, and at once began to question

me about _foreign machinery_, &c. He had been puzzled by a map

with parallel lines running each way, said to have been made by

foreigners, which he asked me to explain. He then submitted to

my inspection a spy-glass and a music-box, asking various

questions about each."

The following account may be designated coolly insolent and not

trustworthy, being founded on fictions:--

"John i. 1.--Christ is here pronounced to be God; does Tien-Wang

claim to be God or man? Matt. xxii. 29, 30.--How is this to be

reconciled with the statement that the Western Prince has

contracted a marriage in the other world? Matt. xx. 25-26.--How

is this to be reconciled with the Tien-Wang's assumption of

authority in spiritual matters? John iii. 13, Gal. i. 8, Rev.

xxii. 18-19.--How can Tien-Wang have another revelation? This

document the Chang-wang was _afraid_ to present to his chief. He

returned it to me, and I supposed that I should hardly find a

man bold enough to keep it in his possession."

This may be the _American_ Baptist mode of procedure, but we may easily

believe it is hardly the style in which an English missionary of

ordinary good manners and education would act. If a Chinaman were to

arrive in England and draw up a similar list of queries, and send them

to the Queen, it would afford a precisely parallel case. The Chang-wang,

after assuring Mr. Holmes his hyperbolical theories were "erroneous,"

must have felt himself grossly insulted by the latter's uncourteous

catechising. When about to leave Nankin, Mr. Holmes states:--

"On Wednesday we had determined to return. On announcing our

intention, we were _entreated_ to remain a few days longer. He

(Chang-wang) also invited me to _come back again_, and bring

with me my family, _offering to give me a place in his own

house_. On our departure a sum of money was offered us to 'buy

tea,' as it was stated, 'on our way home.' This we declined....

He insisted that he would have no face if he sent away a guest

without making him some present, and substituted a piece of

silk, which, with several little articles received before, are

preserved as memorials of the visit. A present of a small globe,

with several other foreign articles, were very gladly received

on his part."

From the extracts I have given, one might naturally suppose Mr. Holmes

would have returned from his visit favourably impressed; with what

astonishment, then, will be perused the following "reflections":--

"I shall content myself with a few general reflections upon the

state and prospects of this movement. I went to Nankin

predisposed to receive a favourable impression.... I came away

with my views entirely changed. I had hoped that their

doctrines, though crude and erroneous, might, notwithstanding,

embrace some of the elements of Christianity. I found, to my

sorrow, nothing of Christianity but its names, falsely applied,

applied to a system of _revolting idolatry_."

How does this agree with the well-known uncompromising iconoclasm of the

Ti-pings? How can it be reconciled with the statements given by Mr.

Holmes as to the Christian knowledge of the Chang-wang? which, he says,

"_contained little that could be objected to_," or the passage, "I gave

him to understand that I had _no objection_ to make to what he had

said"? Is it from this Mr. Holmes derived his idea of "revolting

idolatry"? The narrative continues:--

"Their idea of God is distorted until it is inferior, if

possible, to that entertained by other Chinese idolaters. The

idea which they entertain of a Saviour is likewise low and

sensual, and his honours are shared by another." (Compare this

with the Tien-Wang's proclamation at page 84, giving the titles

to the chiefs, and _strictly forbidding_ himself to be addressed

by any appellation that may infringe upon the attributes of the

"Celestial Elder Brother" (our Saviour), and then judge of its

truth.) "The Eastern King is the saviour from disease, as he is

the saviour from sin." (The Eastern King had been dead some

years.) "Among the features of their theology that _shocked_ me

most may be mentioned the following:--They speak of the wife of

the Heavenly Father, whom they call Tien-ma (Heavenly Mother),

&c., &c."

If Mr. Holmes was so "shocked," it would have been his duty to teach

instead of to criticise them, especially as they "entreated" him to

remain, or "come back" to them.

He further states:--

"I had hoped, too, that though crude and erroneous in their

notions, they would yet be ready to stand an appeal to the

Bible" (meaning his arrogant list of queries), "and to be

instructed by those competent to expound its truths. Here, too,

I was disappointed."

This is palpably unjust, when in the same narrative he states they

"_entreated_" him to stay with them. Such are the opinions of the

missionary on whose testimony the British Government mainly rely.[31]

It now becomes necessary to notice the _suppressed_ missionary reports,

furnished by members of the London Mission Society and Propagation of

the Faith Society.

These reports appeared a few years back in the _Missionary Magazine_,

but I venture to again make them public, not only to support and prove

my own view of the Ti-ping revolution, but because I feel certain that

only a very small proportion of the British people can have seen them,

as, if it had been otherwise, a far different policy would have been

employed in the treatment of the Ti-pings.

The following extracts are from the narrative of a journey amongst the

Ti-pings, by the Revs. Edkins, John, Macgowan, and Hall, bearing date

"Shanghae, July 16, 1860:"--

"THE RELIGIOUS VIEWS AND PRACTICES OF THE INSURGENTS.

"From the information acquired, it is evident that the religious

element enters very powerfully into this great revolutionary

movement. Nothing can be more erroneous than the supposition

that it is a purely political one, and that religion occupies

but a subordinate place in it. So far is this from being the

case, that, on the contrary, it is the basis upon which the

former rests, and is its life-perpetuating source. The downfall

of idolatry, _and the establishment of the worship of the true

God_, are objects aimed at by them, _with as much sincerity and

devotion_ as the expulsion of the Manchús, and the conquest of

the empire. In opposition to the pantheistic notions of the

philosophers of the Súng dynasty, they hold the doctrine of the

personality of the Deity; in opposition to the popular

polytheistic notions, _they have the clearest conception of the

unity of God_; and in opposition to the fatalism of

philosophical Budhism, they believe in and teach the doctrine of

an all-superintending Providence. This appears on the very

surface, and no one can be among them for any length of time

without being impressed with it. They feel that they have a work

to accomplish, and the deep conviction that they are guided by

an unerring finger, and supported by an omnipotent arm in its

execution, is their inspiration. Success they ascribe to the

goodness of the Heavenly Father, and defeat to his

chastisements. The Deity is with them, not an abstract notion,

nor a stern implacable sovereign, _but a loving father_, who

watches tenderly over their affairs, and leads them by the hand.

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are their proposed

standard of faith now, as they were at the commencement of the

movement.

"THE FEELINGS ENTERTAINED BY THE INSURGENTS TOWARDS

FOREIGNERS, AND THEIR PROSPECTS OF FUTURE SUCCESS.

"The feeling which they entertain towards foreigners is

apparently of the most friendly nature; they are always

addressed as 'our foreign brethren.' 'We worship the same

Heavenly Father, and believe in the same elder Brother, why

should we be at variance?' They seem to be _anxious for

intercourse with foreigners, and desirous to promote the

interests of trade_. _The opening up of the eighteen provinces

to trade, they say, would be most pleasing to them._ Some would

say that policy would make them talk in this way--suppose it

did; how is it that policy, or something akin, does not make the

Imperialists speak in the same way? They say that foreigners

will be respected whenever they pass through their territory;

and the respectful attention they have paid to those who have

visited them is a sufficient proof of their sincerity.

"A great deal has been said about the cruelty of the

'long-haired rebels'; but in this there has been _much

exaggeration and misrepresentation_. _In no instance have we

witnessed any traces of wilful destruction._ It is true they

kill, but it is because they must do so or submit to be killed.

They burn, but so far as our observation went, it is invariably

in _self-defence_. Much of the burning is done by the

Imperialists before the arrival of the rebels, and the cases of

suicide are far more numerous than those of murder. The fact

that all the women have been allowed to leave Súng Kiang, and

that they are known, in many cases, _to have made attempts to

save_ men and women who had plunged themselves into the canals

and rivers, is a _proof that they are not the cruel relentless

marauders that they have been represented, to be by many_. They

are revolutionists in the strictest sense of the term; both the

work of slaughter and of plunder are carried on so far as is

necessary to secure the end. These are evils which necessarily

accompany such a movement, and are justifiable or otherwise in

so far as the movement itself is so."

The following letter was written by the Rev. J. Edkins and the Rev. G.

John, giving a report to the secretary of their society of a visit to

the Ti-pings at Soo-chow. It is dated "Shanghae, August 16, 1860," and

proves the incorrectness of Mr. Bruce's statements, that Mr. Edkins

informed the Ti-pings, "in the most unequivocal manner," that Shanghae

would be defended against them, and that Mr. Edkins met with an

"ungracious reception."

"REPORT OF REV. GRIFFITHS JOHN TO REV. DR. TIDMAN.

"Shanghae, August 16, 1860.

"By the last mail you were informed that two letters had just

been received from Soo-chow; one from Hung-jin, the Kan-wang, to

Mr. Edkins, and another from the Chung-wang, to Mr. Edkins and

myself, inviting us both to Soo-chow, to meet the former king.

We felt that only one course of action was left open to us as

Christian missionaries. We were exceedingly anxious to have an

interview with this man, for the purpose of ascertaining the

truth on various points of interest--of encouraging him in his

praiseworthy endeavours to correct the errors connected with the

movement--of learning what might be done towards spreading the

truth among his people--and of suggesting plans and improvements

for his consideration. With this object we left Shanghae on the

30th ult., accompanied by three other brother missionaries. At

one point we passed a floating bridge, which had been

constructed by the Insurgents, and left in charge of some of the

country people. A proclamation was put up on shore, exhorting

the people to keep quiet, attend to their avocations, and bring

in presents as obedient subjects. One of the country people

remarked, as we were passing along, that the proclamation was

very good, and that if the rebels would but act accordingly,

everything would be all right. 'It matters very little to us,'

said he, 'who is to be the emperor--whether Hien-fung or the

Celestial King--provided we are left in the enjoyment of our

usual peace and quiet.' Such, I believe, is the universal

sentiment among the common people. A part of the bridge was

taken off to allow our boats to pass through, after which it was

closed again very carefully. _The country people were, for the

most part, at their work in the fields as usual._ The towns and

villages presented a very sad spectacle. These once flourishing

marts are entirely deserted, and thousands of the houses are

burnt down to the ground. Here and there a solitary old man or

old woman may be seen moving slowly and tremblingly among the

ruins, musing and weeping over the terrible desolation that

reigns around. Together with such scenes the number of dead

bodies that continually meet the eye were indescribably

sickening to the heart. It must not be forgotten, however, that

_most of the burning is done by the Imperialists_ before the

arrival of the Insurgents, and that what is done by the latter

_is generally in self-defence_, and that more lives are lost by

suicide than by the sword. Though the deeds of violence

perpetrated by the Insurgents are neither few nor insignificant,

_still they would compare well with those of the Imperialists_.

The people generally speak well of the old rebels. They say that

the old rebels are humane in their treatment of the people, and

that _the mischief is done by those who have but recently joined

them_. We were glad to find that, both at Soo-chow and

Kwun-shan, _the country people were beginning to go among them

fearlessly to sell; and that they were paid the full value for

every article_. We were told at the latter place that to sell to

the rebels is good trade, as they give three and four cash for

what they formerly got only one cash.

"We reached Soo-chow early on the 2nd inst., and had an

interview with the Kan-wang on the same day. He appeared in a

rich robe and gold embroidered crown, surrounded by a number of

officers, all of whom wore robes and caps of red and yellow

silk. On our entering he stood up and received us with a hearty

shake of the hand. He said that our visit made him very happy,

and that his heart was quite set free. He then made kind

inquiries about his old friends in Shanghae, both native and

foreign. He was much pleased to hear of the progress of the

Gospel at Amoy; of the recent accession of converts to the

Church in the neighbourhood of Canton and Hong-kong; and of the

late revival in the West. 'The kingdom of Christ,' said he,

'must spread and overcome every opposition; whatever may become

of the celestial dynasty, there can be no doubt concerning this

matter.'

"He then put off his crown and robe, and dismissed his officers;

after which we had a free and confidential conversation on

various points. We gladly accepted an invitation to dine with

him. Before partaking of the viands prepared for us, he proposed

that we should sing a hymn and pray together. Having selected

one of Dr. Medhurst's hymns, he himself started the tune, and

sang with remarkable correctness, warmth, and energy. After a

short prayer offered up by Mr. Edkins, we sat at table. The

conversation turned almost exclusively upon religious subjects,

in fact, he did not seem to wish to talk about anything else. He

seemed to feel very grateful to Dr. Legge, Messrs. Chalmers,

Hamberg, Edkins, and others, for their past kindness to him. He

told us that his object in leaving Hong-kong for Nan-king was

solely to preach the Gospel to the subjects of the celestial

dynasty; and that on his arrival he begged permission of his

cousin to be allowed to do so. The chief, however, would not

hear of it, but insisted upon his immediate promotion to the

rank of king. Though thoroughly devoted to the new dynasty, and

determined to live or die with it, he told us repeatedly that he

was much happier when employed as a Native Assistant at

Hong-kong, than now, notwithstanding the dignity conferred upon

him and the authority with which he is invested. We were

escorted on horses to our boat at a late hour.

"We visited him again on the following day. On our arrival at

his residence, we found a foreign merchant waiting upon him, and

the Kan-wang considerably agitated in mind. The reason of this

we afterwards learnt was, that he had heard that the letters

which he had sent to the representatives of foreign powers at

Shanghae had not been opened; and that the city was held by

English as well as French soldiers. _The first he spoke of as a

personal insult to himself, and the second as a direct violation

of the principle of neutrality which foreigners should adopt

between the two contending parties._ * * *

"Though we told him that these were matters with which we, as

_Missionaries_, had nothing to do, still we could not but feel a

secret sympathy with him.

"After the merchant had left, we had a very interesting

conversation with him on various matters, but especially the

character of Taeping Wang, the chief. Before separating, he

proposed that we should commend each other to the care of

Almighty God, and invoke His blessing in prayer. After singing a

hymn, he engaged in prayer. His prayer was exceedingly

appropriate, fervent, and scriptural. _He prayed that all the

idols might perish, that the temples should be converted into

chapels, and that pure Christianity should speedily become the

religion of China. This was a most interesting spectacle--a

spectacle never to be forgotten._

"We were all much pleased with the Kan-wang. His knowledge of

Christian truth _is remarkably extensive and correct_. He is

very anxious to do what he can to introduce pure Christianity

among his people, and to correct existing errors. He says,

however, that he can do but very little actively in this work,

and that hence he is very anxious to get as many Missionaries as

possible to Nan-king, to teach the people. 'I cannot do much,'

said he, 'but if you will come, I will get you chapels, exhort

the people to attend, and will attend myself regularly.' He has

prepared a prayer for the use of the soldiers, which is

remarkably good. He wished us to prepare a series of simple

prayers for general distribution. We took with us a number of

copies of the whole Bible, and a good selection of tracts, all

publicly delivered to his care. These will, I have no doubt, do

their work among not a few. He expressed his opinion that the

Chief is a pious man, notwithstanding all his errors. He

devoutly worships God, and is a constant reader of the

Scriptures. The Bible and the 'Pilgrim's Progress' seem to be

his favourite books. The Kan-wang thinks that much may be done

in course of time towards putting him right on various points.

_It is very gratifying to find that he does hold the Scriptures

of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, and

the standard of faith._"

The following extracts are quoted from the press of China, upon the

subject of repelling the Ti-pings from Shanghae. The _Overland

Register_, Sept. 11th, 1860, in its general summary, states:--

"However affairs may be affected at the North by the action of

the Allied Forces, the late proceedings at Shanghae will

probably inflict a damage which no success at the North will or

can compensate for, and the case is the more dangerous because

that _interested_ persons are led to scandalize the

insurrection, that the shame of the slaughter of the Insurgents

before Shanghae by the arms of Christian England and Catholic

France may be lessened. It will be seen from the details given

elsewhere that the advance of the Insurgents upon Shanghae has

been checked by the _direct_ interference of the allied forces

in concert with the Imperial rabble, and by way of adding insult

to injury, and of stemming the tide of indignation which a

_truly_ christian public sentiment might be expected to pour

upon the policy which dictated such action. Sundry individuals

are _persuaded_ to _write_ down the Insurgents who have survived

the _shooting_ down, and make them out worse than their heathen

countrymen. Hardly had the echo of the Christian muskets died

away and the heathen allies finished cutting off the arms and

legs of the slain to secure their ornaments, when it is found

out suddenly that the rebels are blasphemous outlaws, and do not

understand _the doctrine of the Trinity_ as taught in the

theological schools of England and other Christian countries,

and upon the word, every man who would save the reputation of

the allied councils, at once commences to damn the Insurgents

for blasphemy, that he may be able to bless the Allies for _foul

and cruel murder_. We have especial reference to a lengthy

dissertation by one Rev. J. L. Holmes, which is far too long for

republication in this edition, and which should not find place

if it were possible; and though shame may cause many to accept

any excuse for _the unwarranted and cruel slaughter_ of the

half-christianized victims who came to be converted, not killed,

yet we trust there may be found some whose Christianity will

take precedence of nationality even, and that the Insurgents may

find sympathizers, even though that sympathy involve

condemnation of the policy which prompts either to shoot them or

write against them.... The fact is, a gross and unmitigated

error has been committed at Shanghae, and all the writing that

can be published cannot alter the error or excuse it. The

Insurgents did not come professing a pure Christianity, on the

contrary, every missionary who has visited them, and even their

traducer, who shared their hospitality at Nankin, received their

parting gifts of friendship, and then returned to print five

columns of detraction and abuse in the _North China Herald_,

bearing testimony that the Insurgents admit the imperfection of

their religious knowledge, and only beg that teachers might be

sent them, so that they might know the truth _as it is in

Jesus_; and the Christian world may well cry 'shame!' upon any

Missionary of the Gospel, who going among them, instead of

seeking to instruct them, spends the time of his hospitable

reception in seeking out their errors and publishing them in

order to turn sympathy away from them and palliate the crime

that had already been perpetrated at their expense."

Speaking of the French Jesuitical influence working against the

Ti-pings, _The Overland Register_ continues:--

"That France should spurn the Rebellion, it is but natural, for

the Insurgents have the _Bible_, and next to the devil, a free

Bible may be supposed the object of direst attack on the part

of a Jesuitical priesthood. But it will be long ere the stain

upon British honour and justice and Christian profession is

erased. It is currently stated that the French are savagely bent

upon the utter destruction of the Insurgents, and that they will

insist upon an attack upon Nankin." (This was mooted at that

time, as per Mr. Bruce's despatches, but was not executed,

because, as another writer stated, "They have it in their power,

we are told, and nobody doubts the truth of the statement, to

ruin the foreign trade at Shanghae, and they also have it in

their power to form with the representatives here of foreign

powers provisional regulations by which in existing

circumstances the destruction of that trade may be prevented."

This was thoroughly appreciated; therefore, while gradually

destroying the Ti-pings and undermining their cause,

_neutrality_ was also pretended.) "Such a thing is by no means

beyond the bounds of possibility, so that ere long the world may

be edified with the sight of the 'Defender of the faith,' in

company with the 'woman arrayed in purple and scarlet,' and the

disciples of Buddha, all joining in the hue-and-cry after the

rascally Bible-reading insurgents.

"Happy are they who fall by the merciful administration of

Christian warfare, for if once their power is broken, there are

other Governor Yehs in China to take the place of the cowardly

brute who tortured and slaughtered 60,000 of his countrymen in

the Canton province, and Shanghae may be treated to the same

spectacle which six years ago sent a thrill of horror all over

the civilized world, with only this difference--_that the

responsibility will rest upon those professedly Christian

nations who will have been the cause of them_."

This has happened; but the thrill of horror was either not felt, or the

professing Christian nations have become exceedingly callous; but then,

"six years ago," it was Yeh who did all that; during 1860-1-2-3-4, it

was done by Christian nations.

"The political creed of the insurgent leaders is _all_ that

could be wished by the most enthusiastic admirers of what strong

nations call 'international comity,' when the weaker party have

anything worth possessing. If the proclamations and other

writings from insurgent sources are sufficient authority (and we

know of no reason why they should be otherwise regarded), their

position is about as follows:--

"1. That _Chinese_, not Tartars, shall rule China; and surely no

Western nation can find fault with that.

"2. That the exclusive policy heretofore maintained by the

Imperial Government shall be superseded by a liberal policy, so

that China may become one in the great Congress of Nations,

instead of standing aloof in childish pomposity.

"3. That a free access be given to the arts and manufactures of

other nations.

"4. That kindly relations be cultivated with all foreign people,

and the resources of the country be developed by a liberal

exchange of its products for those of other lands.

"5. That the improvements in various mechanical arts, the

inventions of foreign nations, be introduced into the country.

"We have neither time nor space to complete the list, but it may

be said, generally, that in the political creed of the insurgent

leaders there appears, from beginning to end, a complete

revolution of the Chinese ideas in every important particular,

and there is not an item of it that should not meet with the

warm sympathy of every man who cares for the welfare of any

country besides his own, or even any man whose only interest in

foreign nations is limited to what may be got out of them...."

It has lately been the common practice to represent the Ti-pings as

"monsters of cruelty," "ruthless devastators," &c. The following

extracts, from a communication by a "correspondent of the _North China

Herald_," republished in the _Nonconformist_ of Nov. 14th, 1860, give

some authentic particulars respecting the Shanghae massacre of Ti-pings.

Upon the approach of the Ti-pings to the walls of the city, the writer

states:--

"When it was discovered that they were real rebels, orders were

given to fire on them. They waved the hand, begged our officers

not to fire, and _stood there motionless_, wishing to open

communication and explain their object. No notice was taken of

this, but a heavy fire of rifles and grape was kept up on them

for about two hours, when they retired with a loss estimated at

two hundred. Here, as at the South-gate, they seem to have

essayed to open communication, and to have been replied to in

the same way. After they had been driven back, the French

soldiers rushed frantically among the peaceful inhabitants of

the place, murdering men, women, and children, without the least

discrimination. One man was stabbed right through as he was

enjoying his opium-pipe. A woman, who had just given birth to a

child, was bayoneted without the faintest provocation. Women

were ravished and houses plundered by these ruthless marauders

without restraint. Everything was taken away from the poor

people, who were trying to escape, and thrown into a heap, so as

to do away with the possibility of ever being reclaimed. Unless

the article or articles were immediately yielded, the bayonet

was brought in to decide the question."

The truth of these statements can be supported by the evidence of my

personal friends, some of whom were wounded when trying to rescue

helpless women from unheard-of barbarity.

"After this sort of work had been going on for some time, the

beautiful temple of the 'Queen of Heaven' was set on fire by the

French. The fire had been extending ever since, so that now the

Eastern suburb presents a sad spectacle. The burning of the

Southern and Western suburbs by the English, and the greater

part of the Eastern suburb by the French, has deprived thousands

of their happy homes and reduced them to irretrievable poverty."

Recounting the events of the following day, the author states:--

"Now the firing and shelling commenced. The Insurgents stood it

for several hours _like men of stone, immovable, without

returning a single shot_. At length a well-directed shell from

H.M.S. _Pioneer_, bursting in the midst of one of the hamlets,

and another from the _Racehorse_, which followed the former in

about two seconds, bursting in the midst of the other hamlet,

started them fairly."

At Si-ka-wei, a village some few miles from Shanghae, the following

proclamation was found posted upon the Roman Catholic church:--

"The Chung-wang herewith commands his officers and soldiers that

they may all be thoroughly acquainted with it. Having received

the Heavenly decree to lead my soldiers everywhere to fight, the

soldiers have already come to Shanghae and have pitched their

tents at the chapel. Now it is ordained _that not the minutest

particle of foreign property is to be injured_. The veteran

soldiers are supposed to be acquainted with the Heavenly

religion, that foreigners together with the subjects of the

celestial dynasty all worship God and equally reverence Jesus,

and that all are to be regarded as _brethren_ (or to belong to

the body of brethren). The veteran soldiers will surely not dare

to offend, but I have been thinking that the soldiers who have

but recently joined us are ignorant of this being a place of

worship, and are unable thoroughly to understand that their

religion is one with, and their doctrine has the same origin as,

ours. Hence the propriety of issuing this command. Because of

this, all the soldiers, whether veterans or otherwise, are

commanded to be fully aware that, hereafter should any one be

found guilty of injuring the property, goods, houses, or chapels

of foreigners, it is decreed that he will be decapitated

without mercy. Let all tremble and obey. Don't disobey this

command. 7th month, 15th day."

The _Times_ of India contains the following, in the article from its

Shanghae correspondent, dated October 24th:--

"I thank you for having done what you could for your suffering

fellow-creatures in China, but the work is not done yet.

Hitherto you have heard nothing but the details of rebels being

handed over to the Imperialists for torture; of Shanghae, with

its notorious execution-ground, being held by English and French

troops; of a steamer manned by sailors from French ships of war,

and loaded with rice, being sent to the relief of Imperialist

cities; of English officers and sailors fortifying cities and

mounting guns, and instructing the Tartar soldiers in fighting

against the rebels; of guns being plundered from the Taepings;

of duties being collected for the Imperialists; and last, not

least, of innocent blood having been shed by Englishmen, and all

this _without one single act of retaliation_, a circumstance

perhaps _unparalleled in the history of the world_."

But enough of extracts from the press; it is sufficient to state that,

with few exceptions, the whole British press of China and India

emphatically condemned the flagrant violation of honour, of

international law, and of solemnly pledged neutrality. Although too late

to prevent the deeds in China that have tarnished the national honour of

England, it is yet possible that similar atrocities may be in future

arrested, if the British people will only be a little more watchful of

the dealings of their Government with foreign nations, and will seek

wider sources of information as regards them than such as may be

presented through ordinary channels. It is, moreover, of particular

importance that, upon every question of foreign policy, a man should be

competent to judge for himself: to content oneself with "home policy" is

simply absurd, for while other nationalities and other races exist, home

policy will entirely depend upon foreign conduct, and the relations that

are established abroad; in fact, as much so as the conduct and

management of a household is regulated by society and the customs of its

neighbours.

FOOTNOTES:

[31] The opinions of Mr. Holmes afford a fair sample of the anti-Ti-ping

missionaries.