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day. On hearing this, I at once despatched Mr. MAY, the Captain Superintendent of Police, with the party who are to be stationed at Tái pó Hü to occupy the quarters, the Commodore kindly sending them to Mirs Bay by a torpedo destroyer. When they arrived they found but the smouldering remains of the matsheds, which some of the villagers declared were burnt during the morning by a number of bad characters from over the border. On the summit of the hills to the North Mr. MAY saw about 150 men with two flags, one of them apparently a Japanese flag, who exploded bombs and crackers. Mr. MAY and the party returned.
8. Having obtained from the General the loan of the necessary number of tents, I have sent Mr. MAY and his party back to-day with the Company of the Hongkong Regiment to encamp on the ground and have the flagstaff erected. I have directed the Director of Public Works to proceed without delay with the erection of the permanent buildings. I do not think there is any probability that this Force will be attacked. They will not take notice of any demonstration on the opposite hills except an attack be made, pending the formal assumption of jurisdiction on Monday. After that we shall make our jurisdiction respected.
9. The Viceroy having undertaken to protect those matsheds, I submit that the Chinese Government is responsible for the damage done and should be called upon to make good the amount. The district is well known in Canton to be turbulent, that to the N.E. of Mirs Bay being noted for piracy, and so ill-disposed that I am informed that no Customs official dares to land there except with the support of a revenue cruiser,
10. I regret this occurrence very much and I cannot help connecting it with the letter of the 11th instant written by the Viceroy to Her Majesty's Consul at Canton. Up to that date the relations with the people were most friendly. I apprehend that with the large population of Sham Chun and its neighbourhood marching into our borders and unrestrained by the Chinese Officials, there may be difficulties ahead. We must only be patient and forbearing, at the same time sup- pressing at once any active opposition to our jurisdiction under the terms of the Convention of the 9th June, 1898.
I have the honour be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant,
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor, &c.
P.S.-I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy and translation of a pro- clamation issued by me and circulated in the leased area. †
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.
ENCLOSURE No. 1. IN GOVERNOR'S DESPATCH No. 93 OF THE 15TH APRIL, 1899.
(Mr. Consul Mansfield to Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.)
BRITISH CONSULATE, CANTON, April 10, 1899.
SIR,
I have the honour to enclose copy and translation of a despatch which I have this day received from the Viceroy and which he has requested me to bring to the notice of His Excellency the Governor.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your inost obedient Servant,
The Honourable
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY,
R. W. MANSFIELD,
Consul.
Hongkong.
* Sec enclosure in Mr. Consul Mansfield's Letter to Colonial Secretary, Hongkong, of the 10th April, 1999. † Enclosure No. 4.