72
292
their
read - on their way they knocked down the Constables on duty and beat them.
The Van duly at Kelders Wharf has since been missing and is supposed to have been killed or drowned by them. My blood is to be on the side of this Wharf and the Constable's Cap found floating in the water; search has been made but nothing yet found.
They united in Taipingshan, at about 7:40 when they appear to have assaulted indiscriminately all the Black and coloured persons met. One serjeant and two Constables were among their victims; they were beaten violently and are in the Hospital in a precarious state with ten Lascars who were treated similarly.
At 8 o'clock I made an application to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment who sent out forty men by nine o'clock; the rioters having returned to Barracks.
I would beg leave to observe that in answer to my application for the Military, I was advised to "keep all the Police out of the way" lest there be blood shed. Now I would respectfully submit to His Excellency