The Emperor's Reply.
· 113
1841.
for the offing of the Bocca Tigris; and that, having opened the thun- der of their fire, they inflicted wounds upon our officers and soldiers, and also destroyed the fort of Taikok, and possessed themselves of that of Shakok. Thus rebellious have they been against heaven, op- posers of reason, one in spirit with the brute beasts,-beings that the overshadowing vault and all-containing earth can hardly suffer to live,-obnoxious to the wrathful indignation alike of angels and of men. There can only remain one course, to destroy and wipe them clean away, to exterminate and root them out, without remorse. Then shall we manifestly discharge our heaven-conferred trust, and show our regard for the lives of our people.
The various forces that have been ordered for service must now speedily reach their posts. Let Elepoo instantly advance with the forces under him, and recover Tinghae, that he may revive its peo- ple from their troubles. And let Keshen on his part, stir up the soldiery, and with energy and courage proceed right on, making it his determined aim, to compel these rebellious foreigners to give up their ringleaders, that they may be sent encaged to Peking, to re- ceive the utmost retribution of the laws. The base and vile fellows among those foreigners, and the Chinese traitors who abet their re- bellious practices, are yet more to be sought after. Measures must be devised for seizing them, nor must proceedings cease till they be utterly slain.
Regarding the coasts of all the maritime provinces, it has repeatedly been declared to be our pleasure, that strict and well arranged mea- sures of precaution be everywhere taken. Let all the authorities,— generals, governors, lieut.-governors-with increased diligence main- tain a constant plan of observation, and, as soon as any come, attack them. And let them also proclaim it to all, whether officers or people, that it becomes them to regard these foreigners with a hostile spirit, to cherish towards them the asperity of personal enemies. Speedily report perfect victory, and all shall enjoy rewards from their sove- reign. That it will be so, we indeed cherish strong hopes.
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Be these our commands made known universally. Respect this.
ART. VIII. Journal of Occurrences: perfidy with interruption of
negotiations; battle at the Bogue; rewards for Englishmen ; detention of prisoners at Chusan; imperial edict declaring war of extermination; present state of affairs; shipwrecked Japanese..