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pirates. Severe punishment will be incurred by any of them who are discovered deriving advantages or scheming to make
a profit out of their employment. Strict regulations will be drawn up so that the Meritorious and those who are use→ less may know that they will respectively be encouraged and punished, and I have also instructed all Independent Department Magistrates and Magistrates to strictly find out the villages where pirates live and to use increased dili- gence to discover and arrest then. Should a case of piracy occure, they are instructed to make no distinction of
boundaries but one and all to use their utmost efforts to
find and arrest the criminals..
Chu, T'ow Shan and that neighbourhood is
the place where the pirates assemble and from whence they
issue forth and to which they return. At that place a
temporary military station has been established and officers
in command of the subordinate officers and soldiers are
stationed there energetically to keep guard. At other
places, the circumstances of each having been: -thoroughly
considered, arrangements have been made for additional
soldiers and braves bi be stationed.
It is perfectly true, as H.E. the Governor
of HongKong remarks, that it is the duty of the Chinese
Government to protect the people and their property, and I
hope, after the reforms how made, matters will gradually
improve.
With respect to the proposal of H.E. the
Governor of HongKong be sent to assist the Chinese troops,
this is undoubtedly a most friendly offer and is kindly
intended. I am most grateful; but now that the increase
of soldiers and vessels on the roads and rivers is being
discussed