532
Affairs between the English and Chinese.
OCT.
chance the English were to assemble together in their musquito-den (at Hongkong), thus spying about so near to the Bocca Tigris, they would by land and water employ both their curtains and nets; and how then would the people of this province be able to rest upon their beds? And truly for your lives may you cherish apprehension, for this is a correct view of the state of things, and is laid before you through upright intentions.
We, Shun and others, have long been read in the classics, and we thoroughly understand the great principles of right; and, cherishing for our villages the sincerest attachment, we do not loosen our hold upon them.
them. All classes contemplate opposition and vengeance, and desire to devour the heads of the enemy, and with combined in- tentions of enmity wish to break the legs of these invaders.
We respectfully look up to their excellencies, the high imperial commissiouer and the viceroy, to stand by the country in the deve- lopment of her plans, and to afford their aid to the people in putting an end to calamities. We wait in hopes that the forces may be sum- moned together, and for the manifestation of the brilliant majesty of celestial vengeance, repressing rebellion, putting an end to violence, and yielding to the general wish of attacking and subjugating the enemy. Then shall we behold their power melt away like the snow, the affair will be as easly arranged as the catching of glow-worms, the cause of the righteous indignation of the literati and the people will be triumphant, and the maritime domains will possess the joy of widely extended peace. It is on these accounts that we are induced to appear
before your excellencies.
Reply of the commandant to the preceding.
It appears that the village gentry, Tang Shun and others, have memorialized in relation to the English barbarians giving loose rein to disturbance, and have combined in earnest entreaty that the mat- ter may be settled by rigorously proceeding to extermination. We perceive that you cherish the principles of reason and justice, and regard your families and your country as one interest; and that, by decided wrath and combined enmity, both literati and people exhibit the great principles of right. These rebel barbarians are indeed outlaws, and reports of their proceedings having gone up to the ce- lestial ears, immense forces have now been summoned from several provinces, that with combined energies they may make thorough extermination. Only wait until the grand forces, like clouds assem-
that the English will attempt to expel all the natives from their homes on Hong, hong. Tr.