397
*
De plaat
東京
proclamation translated into Chinese, pointing out that all property would be respected, and that no taxes were to be paid in future to any Chinese officials, and that if such taxes were levied information should be at once given to the Officer Commanding the troops who would see justice done. I added that the Viceroy of Canton had no further jurisdiction in this District, as I was told that this would have greater weight than anything. I dismissed the force of sailors that night, and the following day the 17th. I brought back some few of the troops, leaving however an amply sufficient force for all purposes. These I placed under the command of Lt Col The Gorman directing him however to occupy with a small force the town of Sha tao in Deep Bay, as I look upon that place as being strategically of the utmost importance. You are aware of the difficulties of navigation in Deep Bay, and in the river leading to Shan chun, and to hold possession of Shan chun it is in my opinion absolutely necessary to hold Sha tao as it is possible to land there under difficulties in any state of the tide; Sham chun at low tides &c. is almost impossible to reach. It is no part of my duty to dictate any line of boundary to Your Excellency, though I assume full responsibility for the present occupation of Sha tao in the interests of the troops at Sham chun, but there is a good road from Sha tao to Sham chun and from a military point of view I certainly consider that that should be held. The country round Sham chun is fertile and prosperous, and the town itself compares favourably with many, certainly with Kowloon City.
As regards the peaceful occupation of this latter town Your Excellency being here on the spot, has a better knowledge than myself of how quietly this was conducted, and how complete was the surprise of the inhabitants, and of the Chinese garrison. Being well aware that no opposition was probable, I felt justified in detailing a