National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-28

The following has been received from the
high Chinese mandarin Tong King-Sing by
Signor Celso Caesar Moreno:
TIENTsiN, March O, 1856 Ny Dear
Moreno: Your letter, dated Capitol Hill,
Washington, 25th December, 1885, reached
me after our last overland courier had
started, so was compelled to lay It aside
till the first steamer goes. was very glad
to see your handwriting again, and to find
You still remember your old and true friend.
You would have interested mo the more
had you given me an account OF your event
full life since we ceased correspondence.
For my part had been abroad the whole
year Of 1sS3-hrst to Europe aud afterward
TO South America. l would have extended
my journey to the United States, where
had lots Of friends to see, had not been
summoned by cable telegram to return to
China. On my return to Shanghai | found
the French difficulty still pending, with no
prospect OF comiug to a fair settlement.
Capitalists had commenced to call In their
money, and there was regular panic In
the money market IN Shanghai and In the
coast ports. Great fear prevailed for the
safety OF the Chinese merchants fleet. The
steamship company lost its credit, and the
directors had to mortgage the company's
godowns to free themselves from immediate
embarrassment. You can form no idea what
difficulty / had to keep the company up
till 1t was transferred to the American firm
of Russell & Co., after which / retired from
the steamship company, but had to square
up all the old business, which took me
twelve months to do. left Shanghai Just
before the season closed TO come up to take
charge of the Chinese Engineering and
Mining Company in Cbina-started, you
know, by myself. This company is doing
well. 1t 10 capable Of turning out 1000
tons OF coal a day, but we have limited the
output to 200 tons daily, selling 400 toas
TO the country people and 300 tons to
Tientsin to supply the men-of-war and mer-
chant steamers and the arsenals.
Going back TO 1888 must say have had
no end Of pleasure abroad, and especially In
your charming and classic Italy, cradle OF
great men and Of great things.
Now, coming back to your letter, note
the Entertainment Of our countrymen In tho
United States-the first independent nation
in the world. II was only the other day q
long telegraph message was received at the
Tzupg-LfGamen ministry of foreign af-
fairs) in Picking, complaining of some
serious riots against the Chinese In the
western states. But what can China do
when she, as you say, sis surrounded with
enemies and no true friends" Indeed,
agree with you that she does not know
"who are her enemies and who are her
friends and consequently apt ITO reward
her enemies and mistrust her friends" Be
takes u TOOb III Suiuu
than In any other country. Naturally
so when see every one is working for him
self and not for his own country. Even
such an enlightened and great man as
whose name need not TO mention, as you
know II too well-he hates to see other mer
takingTa lead Of any enterprise. He Likes
foreigners telling him that he is the only
man of progress in China and giving him
full credit for everything great, bold, ant
good done In China. He is that sort OF man
who likes to indorse other mems ideas and
to claim the full credit for himself II they
come out in flying colors--a natural ambi
tion for great man.
You have Travelled all over the vast Chi
nese empire and came in contact with mos
Of the prominent men Of ours, and will
your keen observation Of men and OF af
fairs, YOU can Judge IL my assertions ar
correct. % / fear that our countr.
will not be able to make Its headway, 81
long as such state OF things exist, and jeal
Gus and selfish men are at the helm.
AS you often, years ago, spoke and wrot
to me about railroads In China, undoubtedl!
you must have lately heard and read a goot
deal on this subject, but the present gov
eminent have made UP their mind to ALLOW
no foreigners TO have any interest In tn
matter or to admit any foreign capital, an'
as Chinese merchants and capitalists ar
going away from them instead OF comini
near them, you are able to Judge for your
self whether we will have railroads soon o
not.
see by your letter that you said som
severe truths In regard to the mlssionarle
in China. While admitting that some mis-
sionaries were really at the bottom Of diff
culties and troubles to China and to TIL
governments Of their native countries, ye,
at the same tine, disagree with you Il
having taken hold OF Rev Chester Hol
combe as u proper type for all classes o
missionaries.
Many thanks for your promise to sen,
me copy OF your memoirs when printed
hut rather wished you would not Civ
me too much credit for what hay
done for my country-for in China fu
praise must not be given to tue horse tha
wins the race, but to tine man who keep
the stables. The more you say Of me tn
more contempt will receive from the
looks, and being vexed, they will look .
its author with the same light. How
your trans Pacific cable enterprlseP
am afraid have occupied too much {
your time, and must therefore close wit
my best regards.
Your most sincere friend,
TONG KING-SING.