A Missionary's “Justice”: The Unique Roles of S. Wells Williams in the Sino–American Negotiations on the Burgevine Case (1863–1865)

Abstract

Christianity in nineteenth-century China was closely intertwined with international politics, with missionaries deeply involved in diplomatic affairs. The Sino–US negotiation over the jurisdiction of Henry A. Burgevine (1836–65), an American suspect in China, was a unique case, in which S. Wells Williams (1812–84), a protestant missionary, played crucial roles. He not only influenced the negotiations by manipulating translations of diplomatic notes but also made the decision that led to the suspect's death and sparked controversies. This article, drawing from various archival sources, reconstructs Williams's crucial and yet neglected involvement in the case. By analysing his translation strategies and diplomatic actions, it reveals how Williams, a missionary-turned-diplomatic translator, pursued his vision of “justice,” and how his religious stance and moral values influenced his handling of foreign-related cases under the extraterritorial provision. Through Williams's case, the article sheds light on the interactions between religious values and political interests in early Sino–US diplomacy, thus deepening our understanding of early Sino–US relations as well as the history of Christianity in nineteenth-century China.