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in this way none could possibly survive (of those affected). He said that I, being a Doctor in Canton, was well acquainted with the inhabitants of the City, and giving me carte blanche as to expenses, asked me to undertake the conduct of the affair.
I said that I was short-sighted, and moreover much occupied with my profession, and could not leave my work at a moment's notice. I feared a disclosure and the ruination of the plot. The others said that what I remarked was quite true; they considered the matter again and again, and then Shih Ching Ju said that he had an old family servant named Sung Shao Tung who was capable of doing the business. Shih Ching Ju then took the matter in hand and guaranteed to perform it. Zang Chu Yun undertook to purchase the dynamite; the matter was discussed by all, and a satisfactory conclusion arrived at, and the party broke up.
I at once returned to Canton after this. Shih Ching Ju and Sung Shao Tung came constantly to my place to talk matters over. At the end of 8th Intercalary month, Sung Shao Tung came to my establishment and said that Zang Chu Yun had purchased from Macao some excellent dynamite of German make, having the "Ying" or "Hawk" chop, 50 packages in all, which would shortly reach Canton. On 25th October, at night, Sung Shao Tung again came to my place and said that the dynamite had arrived that day, and had all been carried to his house. At this time, Sung Shao Tung had already rented the empty house in the Hou Lou Fang, and had there prepared and buried dynamite to blow up the Governor's Yamen. Sung Shao Tung had already bought over men to secretly conceal the dynamite about the Tartar-General's and Treasurer's Yamens and the various Magazines, and it was arranged to light trains by incense sticks and have simultaneous explosions on the 27th October. Unexpectedly, however, the only explosion was that near the back of the Governor's Yamen, where Sung Shao Tung had himself concealed dynamite, which occurred on the 29th, at 6 o'clock A.M., and resulted in the crushing to death of several men, women, and children.
Nothing occurred at the other places, probably owing to swindling on the part of the others (agents employed). I heard that Shih Ching Ju had been arrested and brought to trial and punished, but I had then already escaped.
After some days, finding that nothing occurred, I ventured to return to my establishment.
Unexpectedly, I was arrested on information given by Chang Ta Peng and Kuo Yao Chieh to the Chieh Regiment and was brought to trial. When Zang Chu Yun was living in Hsiang Suan, he continually went to Macao and Hongkong, and he is truly the chief contriver of this plot, in which I can bear witness against him. Now, upon this my examination, I have stated the facts truly and precisely, without any pressure put upon me, and I willingly impress (upon the record) the seal of my hand.
This is a true statement.