"A miserable apostate, (?) polygamist, and murderer, too, to wish to administer an ordinance held sacred by those who practise it. What a sacrilege! But as to that boy, I have since been told that he evinced indications of life after he was dragged out, by one who saw him. But I think it would have been less cruel in Kan-wang to have smoothly cut off his head than to send him out even half killed, destitute, and naked, to freeze and starve to death. Whether the boy was killed directly or not, I cannot esteem Kan-wang, and his elder brother, who prompted him to the wicked deed, less than murderers; and hence, in my judgment, they ought both to be treated as such."
In the pamphlet, "A Letter to the Bishop of Victoria, regarding the Religion of the Ti-ping Rebels," the author states, "Of course you now know that the story of that person's boy being murdered by the Kan-wang is a fabrication. 'The Kan-wang called on me,' said Mr. Roberts, when I asked him about the matter, 'and desired me to punish the boy. I told him I would first remonstrate with him; and then he, the Kan-wang's brother, dissatisfied with my answer, beat him, as I thought, to death.'"
[33] This affair happened on the 25th of August, was reported to the Shanghae Daily Shipping and Commercial News of the next day, and was widely known in China. A certain Mr. Chaloner Alabaster, of the British consular service, is mentioned in connection with it.
[34] From the success of the Ti-pings.
[35] China Overland Trade Report, February 20, 1863.
[36] Blue Book, China, No. 3, 1864, p. 68.
[37] Id., p. 80.
[38] Blue Book, No. 3, 1864, p. 96.
[39] Id., p. 162.
[40] Blue Book, No. 3, 1864, p. 163.