632
Journal of Occurrences
craftiness then confined to these regions has rapidly extended itself to Kiangnau But our high and mighty emperor, preeminently intelligent and discerning (lit. grasping the golden mirror and holding the geneous balances), consents to de- mean himself to adopt soothing counsels of peace, and therefore submissively ac- cords with the decrees of heaven. Having a suspicion that these outlandish people intended to incroach upon us, he has secretly arranged all things. We have res- pectfully read through all his majesty's mandates, and they are as clearsighted as the sun and moon; but those who now manage affairs, arc like one who supposing the raging fire to be muder, puts himself as much at ease as swallows in a court; but who, if the calamity suddenly reäppears, would be as defenseless as a gram- pus in a fishunarkut. The law adjudges the penalty of death for betraying the country, but how can even death atone for their crimes? Those persons who have been handed down to succeeding ages with honor, and those whose memories have been execrated, are but a little apart on the page of righteous history; let our rulers but remember this, and we think they also must exert themselves to recover their characters. We people have had our day in times of great peace, and this age is one of abundant prosperity; scholars are devising how to recom- pense the kindness of the government, nor can husbandmen think of forgetting his majesty's exertions for them. Our indignation was carly excited to join battle with the enemy, and we then all urged one another to the firmest loyalty.
We have heard the English intend to come into Pearl river and make a settlement; this will not, however, stop at Chinese and foreigners merely dwelling together, for men and beasts cannot endure each other; it will be like opening the door and bowing in the thief, or setting the gate ajar and letting the wolf in. While they were kept outside, there were many traitors within; how much more, when they incroach even to our bedsides, will our troubles be augmented? We cannot help fearing it will eventuate in something strange, which words will be insuffi. cient fully to express.
If the rulers of other states wish to imitate the English, with what can their demands be waived? Consequently, the unreasonable dc. mands of the English are going to bring great calamity upon the people, and deep sorrow to the country. If we do not perinit them to dwell with us under the same heaven, our spirits will feel no shame; but if we willingly consent to live with them, we may in truth be deemed insensate.
We have reverently read in the imperial mandate, "There must indeed be somne persons among the people of extraordinary wisdom or bravery, who can stir then up to loyalty and patriotism, or unite them in self-defense; some who can assist the government and army to recover the cities, or else defend passes of im- portance against the robbers; some who can attack and burn their vessels, or seize and bring the heads of their doltish leaders; or else some with divine pre- science and wisdom, who can disclose all their silly counsels, and get to them. selves a name of surpassing merit and ability, and receive the highest rewards We can confer, &c., &c." We, the people having received the imperial words, have united ourselves together as troops, and practice the plan of joining hamlets and villages, till we have upwards of a inillion of troops, whom we have provisioned according to the scale of estimating the produce of respective farms; and now we are fully ready and quite at ease as to the result. If nothing calls us, then cach one will return to his own occupation; but if the summons come, joining our strength in force, we will incite cach other to effort; our brave sons and brothers are all animated to deeds of arms, and even those who are finical and delicate as jewels, our wives and daughters, have learned to discourse of arms.
At first, alas, those who guarded the passes were at case and careless, and the robbers came unbidden and undesired; but now [if they come], we have only zealously to appoint each other to stations, and suppress the rising of the waves to the stillest calm (i. e. to exterininate them). When the golden pool is fully restor- ed to peace, and his majesty's anxiety for the south relieved; when leviathan has been driven away, then will our anger, comparabic to the broad occan and high
us, be pacified.
hra
AM We here bind ourselves to vengeance, and express these our sincere intentions in order to exhibit great principles; and also to manifest heaven's retribution and reponies: men's hearts, we now issue thus patriotic declaration. The high god. clearly behold, de put base vom fu:t resolution