4.14
Edicts Relating to Military Operations.
AUG.
the meantime. And let a special communication be made to the Board of War, that those who were wounded, and the relations of those soldiers who fell in battle, may have compassion shown them according to the established regulations. Respect this!
No. 3.
On the 12th day of the 8th moon (10th September 1840), the following im- perial edict was received. Tăng Tingching, viceroy of Fuhkeën and Chekeäng, has handed up to us a memorial, stating how that the English ships of war came to Amoy, raising disturbances, and how that our officers and soldiers with united effort attacked and beat them back. The following is an extract: "Two English ships have been at Amoy in the province of Fuhkeën, rais- ing disturbances. On the 25th day of the 7th moon [23d August], they hung out their red flags and entering by Taingkeën, they rushed right up to the admiral's reviewing ground. At that instant the said tetŭh [or ad- miral] Chin Keaeping, leading on his marine cruizers, civilians, military officers, &c., &c., opened his great guns and attacked them in rapid succes- sion, and hit one of the ships on the stern, and knocked her boat to pieces. Next day the said foreign ships again approached the fort, which covers the admiral's review ground, and commenced firing, whereupon the foo- tseäng (or brigadier] in command, Hingtih fired off all his great guns at one time, and thus hulled the foreign ships twice, which caused them im- mediately to desist from fighting, and to haul off. The said foreigners having lowered a boat from the ship's stern, the people in it were trying to over- take the large ship, when the yew-keen (or colonel] Seay Kwopeaou and others gave them chase and drove them into a small creek at the back of the Tsingkeen island; they then fired off their guns and hit five foreigners who tumbled head over heels in their boat. Immediately after this they hauled off again; and now having got up their anchors and stood far out to sea, there is no trace of them, &c., &c."
On this occasion having beat back the foreign ships with the thunder of our cannon, and every mandarin engaged in the affair having exerted his strength, let the said admiral make a memorandum of those officers who have been eminently conspicuous for their good services in the affair, and hand up their names to us, that we may make a manifestation of imperial goodness in their behalf. We cannot permit however any false substitution or exaggeration. As regards the yew-heě Ting Kingyew, who was wounded just as he was going into action and has since died—his case is indeed very much to be pitied. Let a special communication be made to the Board of War that imperial compassion be shown to his relatives. And as for those of our imperial troops who fell in action, let it be clearly ascertained who and what they were, and let our compassion be shown to their relatives accord- ingly. Respect this!
No. 4.
On the 21st year, 3d moon, and 9th day of Taoukwang 131st March 1841], the following imperial edict was received.
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