The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-02

the public peace For IL ia TO be observed that the
foreigners, on this occasion, were not going DOT II
their way ~ give offence TO the inhabitants, hot
their premises. when they were iotruded upon
and attacked by is~less and uische 4 making Chr
nese. Unfortunately, however the affair dia not stop
here; for the Chinese continued collect in great
numbers and " persist IN acts Of violence while the
police grossly neglected ils duty and allowed ks riot
10 20 on, until the foreigners placed in peril Of
Their lives, individually and bad every reason 10 sup
pose, IRON appearances, that general attack Of the
factories, and scene Of plumber and conhagraton
was medilated by the mob and under these eucun,
stances, while showers Of bdckbats and stones were
pouring on the heads Of the foreigners, Of them
fired shot which killed Sue Amsn.
Ia regard To Sue Aman, do not know whether he
was not of the persons engaged in throw
ing brckbals aud stones the Foreigners this time
but do know that well-dsposed person will re-
main with mob in such ercumsts nces; and # any
person. Tor the qualification OF idle curiosity or Tor
whatever cause, remains with mob, aiding them BY
his countensnoe, or at the least swelling their nun
ben and adding 10 the disorder by his presence, he be-
comes Justly subject TO all the consequences which
may ensue. His death the result OF his own loI
y, il of his own guilt and consider IL, there
fore, secondary matter, of very little quencr
as to what may have been the objects and inleHoDs
of Sue Aman on that occasion for the true question
is much broader one than the individual merits Of
n
shot by foreigner. Was that foreigner, on this oc
crson, guilty OF criminal act either IN moral Or lc-
gal sense II he was guilty Of a criminal act, be-
should be punished but not otherwise. This is the
point which desired 10 have Investigated, and COLI
corning which have anxiousy sought fOT iniOrma
uon.
Allow me 10 premise, that by the laws Of the Uni
ted States, homicide is divided into Two classes Jus
tiiable and unlusthable. The public executoner
who takes away he life of criminal in the course OF
law, the soldier who kills enemy in battle-each OF
these commits homicide, but Il Is UNSUITABLE homi-
eide So also, Il lie jusli6able homicide 10 Kill rob.
Der who is breaking into my house and il is, by the
laws of the United States UNSUITABLE homicide Hill
man who attacks me with weapons or with missile
endangering life, and under circumstances IN which
the homicide Is on my part necessary act Of self
defence. The assessors called IN by the American
consul, to aid him in sscertalning the facts have
found that the killing Of Sue Aman was (accOrdlng
to the principles above de,ailed) just6Able act o.
sel-defence.
have carefully considered the evidence in the
as reported TO me by the consul. and find mys.l
compelled, by the force Of the evidence submitted u
say 10 your ekcelsncy, that adopt and approve the
judging Of the gentlemen who ofhcated on the occl
sion for am constrained 10 repeat to your excel
lency, that the mob who wantony attacked the for
eignsrs, and the police who cupaby neglected Their
duty in the matter are the parties really to blame
and who ought 10 be punished, not only Tor the a..
sau COMMITTED on lhe fOrtlgneTsi put ot ue ueau uI
Sue Aman. For that death, the mob and the police
sesrve TO be held responsible, in the eyes Of God
and of man.
1t to be supposed by the lower classes Of the
Chinese people, that they may insult the fore gners
with offensive language; that they may throw BRICK
bats and stones at the foreigners to the peril Of life,
and that the foreigners bound 10 peacefully submit
to these in uries. This supposIion is very erTO-
neous one. As to the Americans, they prefer 10
throw themselves for protection on the Chinese Gov
ernmsnt; they have perfect confidence in the mag
nanimy Of the Emperor; but II the local police ne
elects its duty, and crowds Of bad men of the popu
lace attack them, they feel Il TO be their right and
their duty to themselves and the honor of Their
county to defend themselves by force, and to repel
assaults by such means they possess, even 10 the
lakng Of life.
Ia the frankness and sincerity which has pervaded
our correspondence thus far have considered my
self bound TO present these considerations TO your
e1cellency In the utmost painness, and stripped OF
all disguise. Happily, there is to apprehend
a repetition Of Incidents of this description. My
countrymen rely in the rmness good faith, and jus
lice of your eXceIlency. L hey remember how wisely
and how We'll the power of Imperial Commissioner
was eIerci,ed by you al former period They
now enjoying the benefit Of the efficient police esab
lshed by you for the temporary security of the TO-
reign factories and they will rejoice when they learn
that such excellent regulations have been adopted oI
the permanent security of the factories, aud for pre-
venting all collisions between the Chinese pe aple and
the foreigners residing at Canton.
pray that your excellency may long continue in
the tranquil and honorable discharge Of your high
functions; and am with he greatest consideration,
your obedient servant,
C. CUSHING.
To bis E1ceency TsIrENG, &c.