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COPY.
Li Fuk states that, in accordance with instruc-
-tions received from Mr. Lockhart, he went to Shatau where he ser
no people collected. The villages in the neighbourhood were quiet
and the people were busily engaged in farming. He went into several
opium dens and glambling houses in Shatau where he heard idlers
speak about 3,000 Tung Kun men intending descend upon the new ter-
-ritory to drive away the British. The said the Tung Kun men will
wear brass armour and helmets and be armed with rapid firing rifles.
The intended attack will be made upon Ping Shan by the way of Deep
Bay or upon Taipo by the way of Tolo Harbour, the men to be sent
to either place on large junks. Shau Tau and surrounding villages
do not seem to be making any preparations. The intended attack is
supposed to come off between the 12th. and 18th. May.