740
said the Company (formed several years ago to buy land in the territory) had cunningly conspired (to induce the British to get the territory); that they feared that the difference between British and Chinese law and customs would lead to no end of difficulties. All thought that armed resistance should be made. But (the writer) Ng Ki Cheung said "The Emperor of China has sealed the Convention ceding the territory, we ought certainly not dare to resist. Even if we were foolish enough to do this rash act, we should find difficulty in the matter of men, money, and arms. Success in battle can only be secured by a correct estimate of one's own (power) and that of one's enemy." The others had nothing to say in reply, and the meeting dispersed.
On the 21st (31st, March), Tang Tsing Sz wrote a letter requesting the elders of the Sheung U Tung division to meet at Un Long. The following were present: from Sheung Shui, Lin Wan Kuk; from Fan Ling, Pang Shiu Un; from Taipo Tau, Tang Ah Man; from Ping Kong, Hau Hon Kai; from San Tin, Man Lai Tong, who had with him a number of able-bodied men. At the meeting, all were strongly bent on fighting. They also wanted to issue a notice for bidding the villagers from taking employment (under the British) and called upon (the writer) Ng Ki Cheung to make a draft, but he refused, and the matter dropped.
Tang Tsing Sz took the lead in proposing resistance. (The writer) Ng Ki Cheung said, "Great Britain is the richest and most important nation in the world. If an insignificant...