CO882-(4-5) — Page 580

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 882

188

IV.

Notice found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

The English barbarians are about to enter our territory, and ruin will come upon our villages and hamlets. All we villagers must enthusiastically come forward to offer armed resistance and act in unison. When the drum sounds to the fight we must all respond to the call for assistance. Should anyone hesitate to take part or to hinder or obstruct our military plans he will most certainly be severely punished, and no leniency will be shown. This is issued as a forewarning.

Issued by the Council of this division (i.e., Un Long Division).

V. (A).

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

We hereby inform you that the battle will commence at seven o'clock on the morning of the 8th (17th April). We beg that the armed men from your worthy district will take rice in the 4th watch (i.e., about 3-4 a.m.), and proceed direct to Ha Tsun, to be ready for the fight. Do not wait for the signal drum.

To our dear friends in the Shap Pat Heung district.

Dated 6th/3/25 (i.e., 18th April, 1899).

From Tang Yau King Fong (i.e., the ancestral temple in the Ha Tsun district).

V. (B).

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

We hereby inform you that. 7 o'clock of the morning of the 8th has been fixed as the date for the commencement of the battle. The armed men of your worthy district should have their early meal at the 4th watch, and proceed at daybreak direct to Castle Peak, to join battle. You need not wait for the signal drum.

To our clansmen of the Fing Shan district.

Dated 3.5 pm., 7/3/25 (i.e., 16th April, 1899).

V. (c).

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

A letter to the same effect as No. V. (B), only addressed to the villagers of Shan Ha and Hang Ha in the Ping Shan district.

Dated same as No. V. (B).

189

per cent. should be retained for self protection. If troops arrive from Ngan Tin they should all be sent to Taipo. Let there be no indecision in the matter. To these points (Castle l'eak and Sha Kong) none of the enemy will ever go. We must devote our individual attention to Taipo.

VIII.

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

To Sing Chi (ie., Ng Ki Cheung).

I beg to inform you that Major Fong Leung Taoi, of the left wing, has received instructions from the Viceroy and Governor (at Canton), to make a special visit to your district, in order to orally explain to the gentry and elders the particulars regarding the leased area, so that they may inform the villagers in order to prevent misunderstanding He is also bringing the Viceroy's proclamation to be posted in the villages. I am send- ing a special messenger to go ahead to inform you. Other particulars I will tell you when we mest.

I take this opportunity to send you my regards.

P.S. Please at once inform your clansmen that Major Fong will arrive in the afternoon to prevent suspicion and anxiety.

Written from the transmitting order department of the Major's Yamen at Nam

Tau.

IX.

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

The gunboat by which I have been towed here is only General Ho's. Not a single foreigner has come in it.

All other particulars you will know fully when you see Major Fong, who will not

in any way use force, but will freely allow all the villagers to carry out their own settled plans.

I would also beg you, as being more satisfactory, to inform the other gentlemen beforehand.

13623.

No. 172.

GOVERNOR SIR H. A. BLAKE to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Received May 27, 1899.)

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

1

VI.

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

This note is to inform you that Yat Hin (Military Sau Tsoi-graduate-named Tang Sam Wai, of Kat Hing Wai) has just been to the meeting house, and says that it is not necessary to send troops to-day, and that we can delay a day or two, and have a further consultation. Be careful not to make any rash movement. This is most important.

To Chik Ting, Chak Tsan (Chak Shin), I Shek.

From the Great Peace Meeting House (Un Long).

VII.

Letter found in the Meeting House at Un Long.

Your letter received and contents noted. A strong force must be posted at Taipo in order to resist with our full force. The two posts at Castle Peak and Sha Kong should have many flags flying in order to mislead the enemy. A force of the stronger men of your district should be detached to take part in the engagement. Sixty

(Confidential.)

SIR,

[Answered by No. 199.]

Government House, Hong Kong, April 28, 1899. In my open despatch of this date* I have given you as fully as possible the history of the disturbance in the extended territory beyond Kowloon. I hope that I have been able to satisfy you that short evidence of personal knowledge of the hostile pre- parations for resistance on the 17th there is ample proof that the officials of the Viceroy of Canton did not afford the protection for which he had assumed the responsibility, and that they must have been cognisant of the state of affairs.

2. This being so I submit that ample reparation is due for the expense to which this Colony has been put, and for the troubles present and prospective brought upon us by the active or passive assistance given by the Canton Government to the movement, or the utter neglect of duties towards the Colony undertaken by the Viceroy.

3. There is here a very strong feeling that the extension of the Colony should be carried still further to the north, and that the lease of 99 years should be changed for a grant in perpetuity. I know that Mr. Stewart Lockhart is a strong advocate for the extension, so as to include the entire Sam Chun Valley and to the summit of the range of hills to the north of it. I have not yet seen the country, but I have studied the maps carefully and by the light of recent events. The district north from Sam Chun River to

• No. 171.