promotion of Every species of crime, by the aid of secret and organized Combination. An armed gang of them reported to have assembled some months since in abandoned stone quarry, at the coast of the island; and shortly before the passing of the Ordinance the reputed head of the association was seized by the Police, in a case of aggravated assault with weapons upon a Chinese who had made himself obnoxious to the body. In his instance, the Ordinance can have no ex-post-facto operation; but his offence was otherwise sufficiently serious to make him amenable to severe punishment.
To put Your Lordship in possession of the relation in which we stand with the Chinese Government with reference to this Triad Society, I have the honor to forward herewith a Copy of my Despatch to Lord Aberdeen, No. 24 of 1845, with its Enclosures.
P.S. I have the honor to be, With the highest respect, Your Lordship's, Most Obedient, Humble Servant. Davis
Since the above was drafted; the following extract, by Gutzlaff, from the Chinese news has appeared. The Accounts from Heangshan in our neighbourhood are of the most distressing nature. The Triad Society has there committed fearful ravages, and plundered whole Villages. Many of the gentry...