CHINA. 



CLAEK, LABAN. 



115 



trading at Hong-Kong. This measure was adopt- 

 ed in order to suppress piracy in those waters, 

 it having been found that, under cover of trad- 

 ing, numerous junkmen yet continue their old 

 practice as freebooters. 



The Christian missionaries, as well as for- 

 eigners in general, met with more or less of 

 opposition in their labors, both from the peo- 

 ple and from provincial authorities. Violent 

 placards against the Christian religion were 

 posted in several places. An anti-foreign riot 

 occurred at Yung Chow, near Chin-Kiang. 

 The mob burned and destroyed some mission- 

 ary premises, and attempted to murder the in- 

 mates. The British consul at Shanghai, in the 

 British ship Einaldo, instituted an inquiry in 

 the matter and demanded reparation. When 

 this was not immediately granted, three British 

 war-vessels went up to Nanking and threatened 

 to enforce the demand. The Chinese authori- 

 ties then yielded. In reply to the remonstrance 

 of the French consul-general, the following 

 proclamation was issued : 



October 7, 1868. 



Taoutai Yingr to the Consul- General of France at 

 Shanghai : 



NOBLE CONSUL-GENERAL : I have received your 

 dispatch on the subject of the anonymous proclama- 

 tion fixed to the Great East Gate, etc. 



The laws of the empire strictly forbid these anony- 

 mous proclamations, and I have ordered the Che- 

 Hsien to find out and severely punish the offenders. 

 At the same time, I will issue a proclamation, of 

 which I herewith forward a copy : 



PROCLAMATION. 



The consul-general of France having acjvised me 

 that an anonymous proclamation has been fixed at 

 the Great East Gate, in which absurd rumors are 

 spread about with audacious effrontery, he begs me 

 to find out -and punish the offenders ? and at the same 

 time forwards me the proclamation in question. 



An anonymous proclamation is in itself a grave 

 violation of the laws of the empire. In addition, the 

 construction of churches and the propagation of the 

 Christian religion, as done by Europeans in the em- 

 pire of China, are authorized by the treaty ; and fur- 

 ther, it is optional with every individual to follow or 

 not to follow this religion as he likes. "Why, then, 

 should such proclamation be fixed up contrary to law ? 

 It is evidently a violation of the laws. I have given 

 orders to the Che-Hsien to find out the authors of this 

 proclamation, and to punish them severely. I also 

 publish this proclamation to inform the inhabitants 

 of this part of the country and those from other prov- 

 inces residing at Shanghai, that anonymous placards 

 are prohibited, and that the right to propagate reli- 

 gion is contained in the treaty. In future, therefore, 

 all must preserve peace and harmony, and each be 

 allowed to follow his own belief and his liberty of 

 conscience. Those who have the audacity to dis- 

 obey will be arrested, judged, and punished with- 

 out remission, and with all the severity of the law. 

 Tremble! 



The Government at Pekin invariably showed 

 a firm resolution to protect the missionaries 

 and foreigners. 



The Island of Formosa suffered greatly from 

 an earthquake which took place on December 

 18, 1867. The shock pursued almost a direct 

 course over the island from Keelung to Yamsinj 

 at which latter place it was felt very severely, as 

 well in loss of life as in the destruction of prop- 



erty and houses, including a temple which had 

 just been completed at a cost of $80,000. A 

 village on the northern extremity of the island 

 suffered greatly, having lost 1,000 people. The 

 number of lives lost was estimated at 30,000. 

 Shocks of earthquake were also felt at Shang- 

 hai and Ningpo. 



The Shanghai Steam Navigation Company 

 held its annual meeting in February. The re- 

 port states that the profits for the year amount 

 to 806,000 taels. They have paid all debts and 

 have 14 first-class steamers running to Han- 

 kow, Tientsin, Chefoo, Ningpo, and Hong- 

 Kong. The company have purchased three 

 more steamers the Express, Manchua, and 

 "Warrior. A stock dividend of 50 per cent, 

 upon the old shares of 1,000 taels has been 

 declared. New stock is to be issued at 100 

 taels per share, and the old stock can be con- 

 verted into new stock at a pro-rata proportion. 



The existence of extensive coal-fields in China 

 has been long known. Eecent researches, of 

 persons competent to express opinions, have 

 demonstrated that these fields are distributed 

 over wide districts and are well situated for 

 utility. They may be found near Newchwang, 

 Pekin, and Chefoo, in the north ; at different 

 points along the Yang-tse-Kiang Kivers, and 

 near Hankow in the centre, and back of Swa- 

 tow and Canton in the south. Mr. Pumpelly be- 

 lieves that, in respect of the extent of her coal- 

 fields, China is not less favored than the United 

 States ; but he, as well as others, is unwilling 

 to say that the coal is of equally good quality. 



Important gold-fields were discovered in the 

 neighborhood of Chefoo. Large numbers of 

 foreigners were going to them, notwithstand- 

 ing the fact that the authorities had forbidden 

 it, and the foreign consuls had warned their 

 respective subjects against it. The Chinese 

 authorities were finally induced to protect the 

 foreign miners. 



Some of the northern provinces were again 

 considerably troubled during the early part of 

 the year by the movements of the Nienfei and 

 Mohammedan rebels. At one time they were 

 threatening Tientsin, after winning several 

 victories over the Imperialists. Business in 

 Tientsin was completely paralyzed. The Tien- 

 sin authorities enrolled a considerable number 

 of militia, and put the ramparts in a state of 

 defence. The foreigners also formed them- 

 selves into a defence corps, to aid the British 

 gunboat Dove in protecting foreign lives. The 

 rebels, at this time, consisted of three different 

 factions, which had united: Taepings, from 

 Honan; Nienfei, from Shantung; and Moham- 

 medans, from Shansi. The danger was, how- 

 ever, averted, and in the latter months of the 

 year the operations of the rebels were of little 

 importance. 



CLAEK, Rev. LABAN, D. D., an eminent and 

 venerable Methodist clergyman, born in Haver- 

 hill, N. H., July 19, 1778; died at Middletown, 

 Conn., November 28, 1868. In his childhood 

 his parents removed to Bradford, Vt., where 



