Viceroy T'an to Consul Mansfield.
375
Translation
Sir,
May 9, 1899,
I am in receipt of your despatch stating that the Governor of Hong Kong is informed that large numbers of insurgents are assembling in the Chinese territory to the North of the leased area with the intention of making an incursion into British territory, and requesting me to take immediate steps for the suppression of the movement contemplated.
In reply, I beg to state that if the natives are massing together in Chinese territory with the object of creating a disturbance, it is strange that the local authorities should not have reported the matter to me. I am inclined to think that these doings are the works of Chung-Shui-Yang's remaining adherents, and I have directed the Sun-On and Tung-Kun Magistrates to take immediate repressive measures and to report the true state of affairs. I shall feel obliged if you will inform the Governor of Hong Kong.
P.S.
(Seal of Viceroy)
While on the point of closing and sending off this despatch, I received a report from the Sun-On Hsien stating that he has been in communication with the Tung-Kun Hsien and that they are both visiting the various villages and are honestly exerting themselves to maintain order.