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Sie-lung Villages.
I feel that from what I will say, you will understand that the proceedings taken were unnecessary after the remarkable delay in landing, which was contrary to the express wishes of Lieutenant Adams. If the latter had made any signs by fire to burn the whole of Sie-lung, many of the Villagers would most probably have returned, and there can be little doubt that at least the well-known villains who escaped from Lieutenant Talbot would have been given up by them.
I should not have anticipated the feeling exhibited, and the course adopted, so I should not in my instructions to Lieutenant Adams have felt it necessary to dwell strongly on the propriety of refraining from unnecessary trespass on Chinese territory in the presence of a high Native official with an ample force under his orders.
I have to,
(Signed) M. S. Nolloth, Captain & Senior Naval Officer.
Others, perhaps as bad as themselves, may have saved their own houses, etc.
I need hardly add that if...