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No. 113.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25TH MAY, 1872.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following translation of a Proclamation lately issued by the Prefect of Canton, received through Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, is published for general information.
By Command,
CECIL C. SMITII, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 24th May, 1872.
[Translation.]
PROCLAMATION ISSUED BY PREFECT OF CANTON.
Dated 19th May, 1872, affixed 20th May, 1872.
FENG, Prefect of Canton hereby issues a Notification;
Whereas, the high Officials have transmitted orders from the Provincial Judge and Chancellor, enclosing instructions from the Viceroy, stating, that on the 14th of April, 1872, he received a despatch from Tsung-li Yamên, under flying seal of Board of War, to the effect, that on the 29th February the Yamên memorialised the Throne with the object of inaintaining due observance of the Treaty, made between China and Great Britain, in the 10th year of Ilsien-fêng, establishing an Envoy [of the latter power in the dominions of the former] and enacting that any want of civility, molestation or disrespect should at once be severely punished by the local authorities; on the same day an Edict was received from His Imperial Majesty confirming the Memorial.
In the Yamên's Memorial the following principles were laid down, that China has ever been actuated by justice in the transaction of affairs, but that it was necessary in addition that in her inter- course with foreign nations both parties should act without partiality or prejudice, and now since peace had been established between China and foreign powers the officials and people of both should be actuated by courtesy in their mutual intercourse, that as none of the foreign powers wished to exercise an undue pressure on China, she on her part should not entertain a feeling of disrespect for them. Ilence, for the sake of permanently maintaining friendly relations, and of avoiding possibility of complications and disorders, the common people, where ignorant of these principles, should be instructed by means of Notifications to be issued by local authorities. The Yamên deem it their duty to request the Viceroy to act in accordance with the letter of their memorial, and thus shew his respect for the Imperial Edict, by enjoining on all the local authorities under him a zealous performance of the commands given, and that a mere perfunctory obedience will not be deemed sufficient. The Viceroy on his part considers it his duty to instruct the Provincial Judge, Chancellor, and Taotais to order the Prefects to act in accordance with the contents of the Yamên's despatch and to shew their respect to the Imperial Edict by transmitting the orders to the various Magistrates for their zealous obedience, and also to issue Notifications for the instruction of the common people. Any Magistrate failing in zeal to carry out the above orders is to be degraded; Whereas these orders have been given to the Prefect-
Therefore, the undersigned, besides having duly ordered the Magistrates under his authority to set earnestly to work to carry out their instructions, and not to fall into the fault of a mere eye-serving acquiescence in them,-and, believing it possible that you the people may perchance be for the time ignorant of the adove edict, deems it his duty to explain the matter succinctly in this Proclamation. He therefore notifies to you soldiers and people that if hereafter you come in contact with foreign officials or people you must obey the treaty. You should on all occasions behave on the principle of host and guest, you must not regard the foreigners as aliens, but should meet them with politeness, treat them in a friendly spirit, and not entertain the least feeling wrongful or disrespectful to them, it is also important that you should have no intention of behaving discourteously.
It is most necessary that the friendly relations with foreigners should be firmly and closely knit. Should any person be so viciously inclined as, either by discourtesy, or disrespect or by other act, to commit a breach of the treaty which comes to the knowledge of the undersigned, he will punish the offence with the utmost rigour of the law without mercy. Tremble and obey.
Translated by,
(Signed,) CHRIS. GARDNER. ·