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(Colonial Secretary's Minute of the 24th April, 1899.)
YOUR EXCELLENCY,
PING SHAN, 24th April, 1899.
This afternoon a messenger arrived at this village with a bundle of notifica- tions in the name of the Viceroy of the Two Kwong and of the Governor of the Kwong Tung Province. I immediately had him detained and on examining him found that he had been sent by the Magistrate of the San On District. to post notifications of the Viceroy and Governor at 12 places in our territory. I attach a copy of the statement made by the man before me: a copy of the order issued by the San On District Magistrate with a translation*; and one of the notifications with a translation.†
It is a curious coincidence that the date of the notification is the 19th April, when the rebels had been defeated. It is also peculiar that all the places, where the notices were to be posted, are places which took part in resisting the British Troops, with the exception of Kap Shui Mun.
The Viceroy had no right to send notices issued by him into our territory, and both he and the San On District Magistrate should be called to account.
I will detain the man pending further instructions. I will, of course, see that he is properly cared for.
As you will observe from the man's statement he had not posted any of the notices before being detained.
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
ENCLOSURE No. 1 IN COLONIAL SECRETARY'S MINUTE OF THE 24TH APRIL, 1899.
Translation of the Order issued by Chiu, Magistrate (of the San On District).
This messenger will at once take 14 copies of the Proclamation issued by the Viceroy and Governor and proceed with all despatch to the villages and market towns enumerated in the attached list and there post the proclamations for general information. The said messenger must be careful to have the Proclamations wrapped up so as to prevent them being damaged by the wet. Any delay will be punished. Proceed with all haste.
List of Villages:
Un Long Hü. Kam Tin Hü. P'ing Shán Hü. Tải Pó Hi.
Shek T'au Wai. Lin Fa Ti.
Lung Yeuk Tan,
Messenger, a Ch'iu Chau Brave.
Lam Ts'ün. Tải Wo Shi. P'ing Kong.
Fan Ling. Sha Lo Tung. Kap Shui Mun. Castle Peak.
Dated 14th day of the 3rd Moon (23rd April). This order will be cancelled on the day of the messenger's return.
Translated by J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Colonial Secretary.
• Enclosure No. 1.
† Enclosure No. 2.