Sue 23 in h
à
Your Excellency.
COP
Taipo Hu, 17th April, 1899, 8.30 a.m.
I attach herewith a sketch for the flag captured by the Hong Kong Regiment in the trenches on the hills to the north of Taipo Hu on the evening of the 15th inst., on which are seven Chinese characters meaning:- 'Trainband sanctioned by the Government: Tai Kai (village) surname Man.'
The village referred to, which is also known by the name of Tai Hang (†), is situated in the Lam Tsun (†) valley, N.W. of Taipo Hu, from which place the village in question is distant about 2 miles. The village is inhabited by the Man Clan.
It is important to note that 'the trainband' is established by Govt. sanction. This clearly shows that 'trainband' should have been controlled by the officials of that Government.
It is of course possible that the flag may have been used without authority, but I have reason to believe that the head of this Man Clan has been actively supporting the insurgents with money and food. He promised to come to Hong Kong to beg for pardon, but never appeared on the plea of old age.
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