300
Inclosure NA in Despatch N. 153 of 1819.
Translation of an Official Communication addressed by the Chinese Naval Commander-in-Chief on the Hainan Station, to His Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
Ho, by promotion Acting Commodore on the Yai-chan station, now Acting Commander-in-Chief at Hainan, &c., &c., &c., makes a communication.
Whereas the Pirate Chang-shih-wu-tsz' (Shap-'ng-tsai), and others, had, for some time past, been burning and destroying merchant vessels at Pih-liai (Pak-hoi), in the Department of Lien-chau, and all that neighbourhood, I had been apprehensive that he would find his way into the waters of Kiung-chau, and cause trouble therein. I had accordingly consulted the Intendant of the Circuit of Lien-chau and Kiung-chau, and the Prefect and Subprefect of the Department of Kiung-chau, and, with their concurrence, had instructed Hwang, the naval officer temporarily in charge of the Hai-kau (Hoi-hau) station, to put himself at the head of a naval force, and to take up, in addition, some trading vessels, and arm them properly. The Intendant, Prefect, Magistrate, and Assistant Magistrate also sent a contingent of troops and militia and the 28th of the 8th moon (14th Oct.) had been fixed as the day on which they were to go to sea in quest (of the pirates).
On the afternoon of the 27th (13th Oct.), two steamers and a vessel of war, despatched by Your Excellency, arrived at Hai-kau, the commanders of which being desirous of accompanying the government ships in the pursuit, as soon as I had had an interview with them, I desired Hwang, the Senior Officer on that station, to move on with the force under his command, to exterminate and make prisoners.
On the 5th of the 9th moon (20th Oct.), in the barbarian waters of a place known as Hwa-fung* they seized Chin-tsiu-ching and other men, 48 in all, Wáng-pei and other women, 8 in all, and 6 children, whom they brought in to the city. I have had the prisoners examined strictly, and they have admitted their share in several acts of piracy. I have, in my turn, forwarded them to the Provincial City, to be tried and disposed of, and have at the same time given positive orders for the pursuit of the pirate-chief, Chang-shih-wu-tsz, insisting upon his apprehension and surrender, that he may be brought to justice. In addition to this, as in duty bound, I make this communication to Your Excellency, of the contents of which I hope you will inform yourself.
A necessary communication, addressed to Mr Bonham, by Royal appointment Envoy of Great Britain, Governor of Hongkong, and Superintendent [of Trade] at the Five Ports.
Taukwang, 29th year, 9th moon, 11th day, (26th October, 1849.) (Received 1st Nov., 1849.)
True Translation,
T. F. WADE,—Assistant Chinese Secretary. * Off the Coast of Cochin China.
300
Inclosure NA in Despatch N. 153 of 1819.
Translation of an Official Communication addressed by the Chinese Naral Commander-in-Chief"
on the Hainan Station, to His Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary.
Ho, by promotion Acting Commodore on the Yai-chan station, now Acting Commander-in-Chief at Hainan, &c., &c., &c., makes a communication.
Whereas the Pirate Chang-slih-wu-tsz' (Shap-'ng-tsai), and others, had, for some time past, been burning and destroying merchant vessels at Pih-liai (Pak-hoi), in the Department of Lien-chau, and all that neighbourhood, I had been apprehensive that he would find his way into the waters of Kiung-chau, and cause trouble therein. I had accordingly consulted the Intendant of the Cireuit of Lien-chau and Kiung-chau, and the Prefect and Subprefect of the Department of Kiung-chau, and, with their concurrence, had instructed Hwang, the naval officer temporarily in charge of the Hai-kau (Hoi-hau) station, to put himself at the head of a naval force, and to take up, in addition, some trading vessels, and arm them properly. The Intendant, Prefect, Magistrate, and Assistant Magistrate also sent a contingent of troops and militia and the 28th of the 8th moon (14th Oct.) had been fixed as the day on which they were to go to sea in quest (of the pirates.)
On the afternoon of the 27th (13th Oct.), two steamers and a vessel of war, despatched by Your Excellency, arrived at Hai-kau, the commanders of which being desirous of accompanying the government ships in the pursuit, as soon as I had had an interview with them, I desired Hwang, the Senior Officer on that station, to move on with the force under his command, to ex- terminate and make prisoners.
On the 5th of the 9th moon (20th Oct.), in the barbarian waters of a place known as Hwa- fung* they seized Chin-tsiu-ching and other men, 48 in all, Wáng-pei and other women, 8 in all, and 6 children, whom they brought in to the city. I have had the prisoners examined strictly, and they have admitted their share in several acts of piracy. I have, in my turn, forwarded them to the Provincial City, to be tried and disposed of, and have at the same time given positive orders for the pursuit of the pirate-chief, Chang-shih-wu-tsz, insisting upon his apprehension and surrender, that he may be brought to justice. In addition to this, as in duty bound, I make this communication to Your Excellency, of the contents of which I hope you will inform yourself.
A necessary communication, addressed to Mr Bonham, by Royal appointment Envoy of Great Britain, Governor of Hongkong, and Superintendent [of Trade] at the Five Ports.
Taukwang, 29th year, 9th moon, 11th day, (26th October, 1849.) (Received 1st Nov., 1849.)
True Translation,
T. F. WADE,—Assistant Chinese Secretary. * Off the Coast of Cochin China.
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