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Chinese Officials should have been informed. But even after the occurrence of trouble, they still neglected to inform the British Authorities, so as to obtain an escort. Thus they themselves sought a conflict with the natives, resulting in the damage or destruction of a great many of the houses of the people at Shaipo Hu, which, properly speaking should be made good by England.
Then, seeing that the Territory had not yet been taken over, why go there beforehand to put up matsheds? Thus both these cases of disturbance are due to the action of Mr. May, and China cannot accept any blame for the resulting loss of friendly feeling.
Your Majesty has always enjoyed a reputation for humanity and justice. Having leased Chinese territory, it was imperative upon England to cultivate relations of close friendship with the people, to esteem virtue before dignity, to use leniency rather than violence. But before the territory was taken over a Proclamation had been already issued about the examination of title-deeds and the collection of revenue, thereby arousing public indignation.
Both sides have fired upon each other with rifles and cannon. Natives have either been killed or wounded.
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