Morrison indicated that a souvenir which he described as "the finest piece of jade in Peking" came into his possession and he sold it to Herbert Squiers for 2,000 taels. On 7 March 1901, the United States Minister to China, Edwin Hurd Conger (1843–1907), sent a cable to John Hay, the United States Secretary of State, that exonerated Squiers completely of looting: "the reports that have reached America to the effect that H.G.
Morrison stated that a piece of jade, which he referred to as "the most exquisite jade from Beijing," entered his possession and he sold it to Herbert Squiers for 2,000 taels. On March 7, 1901, the United States Minister to China, Edwin Hurd Conger (1843–1907), sent a cable to John Hay, the United States Secretary of State, absolving Squiers entirely from looting: "the accounts that have reached America suggesting that H.G."