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Wei-nan has been here, suggesting that if, while our purpose is in so far changed, the stoppage of supplies be rigorously enforced, it will cow the rebel- lious barbarians, and so far furnish us with a means of keeping them well in hand. This measure, therefore, must not be discontinued.
Compliments, &c.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 11.
Chan-tsze-tin to Chan-kwei-tsih.
March 4.
I HAVE the honour to state that I have received your commands of the 28th February. Regarding the proposition that I should head the subscription to provide funds to remunerate (the captors of) devils' beads, I immediately applied to my teacher Kang (qy. Su-ting-kwei). He says, that the Ruler of the rebels has written back, blaming the military head of the devils altogether for commencing the disturbance of last year, and that the Governor-General (Yeh) has issued orders to the different train-bands to suspend offensive operations for the present, and if these are to be deferred, it is clear that the (taking of) heads is a measure that may be even yet more deferred. As regards the head now in custody, when this is forwarded to Canton, it had better be stated in the memorandum forwarded with it, that it was taken by my relation Cheung-chan-inei (that he may get the credit of it). The amount to be paid in reward can be carried to the last year's account of money lent between you and myself. If this, however, is any great trouble to you, there is no occasion to press it. Cheung-king-san (a Mandarin distinguished in Kwang-si three or four years ago) has already had the kindness to recommend my relation Cheung, and if this instance be added to the former, bis credit will be increased.
In addition to the payment made by me on the 13th February into the District City Fund, for the support of the braves, I made a further payment of 2,000 dollars on the 24th February, and another of 1,000 dollars on the 2nd March.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 12.
Chan-tsze-tin to Chun-kwei-tsih.
March 7, night.
I SENT Man-tsap-shin to you to-day at noon. At 6 this evening, I sent a man to Victoria to spy: he has returned with information that Duddell's store, in the Ha-wan, had been burned with upwards of 1,000 peculs of flour therein, several score of casks of biscuits, twenty or thirty barrels of spirits, and other articles of consumption. A devil was burned to death in this fire, which is not yet extinguished. There was so much flour that it was difficult to get the flames under. As soon as the fire broke out, the English devils fired some guns, and knocked down the Christian church by the side (of the bakery). The barracks to the left of it, and the powder magazine, were guarded by several hundred devil soldiers, who planted cannon for their protection. (The spy) saw with his own eyes that the building burned was Duddell's store and not the great devil building (Government House or the offices. Ever since the closing of the Heung-shan man, Cheung-alum's bread-shop, the greater portion of the devils soldiers' rations have been ordered of Duddell. This is why he had so much flour in store. The burning of supplies as on this occasion is a more successful measure than the interdict itself.
It is said that a few days ago three devil men-of-war came in with 1,000 and odd English (red haired) devil soldiers on board, and that yesterday arms were issued to them. I have not ascertained whether there is any devil design (in this or not. Wang-sui-shang's undertaking on the night of the 5th March failed, and being discovered, two of his underlings were seized.
The rest escaped to Cowloon. It is a great pity that this enterprise should have failed, as it has, through the dilatoriness of Wang-sui-shang.
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Yesterday a spy reported that supplies are privily sent from Shui-chun- chung, on account of Ho-tsai-luk of Hong Kong, who has a boat armed with four muskets. He makes ordinarily 100 dollars on a run to or fro, by the carriage of bullocks and poultry. His run to and fro now stands him in 120 taels ready money.
Ho-tsai-luk is the head of the villains. The way to take him would be to send people to lie in wait at the water-side, until his vessel came out; success would then be certain, and were this man taken, the supplies would be cut off, without any interdict being necessary. However, I do not venture to undertake this on my own responsibility, or until I have represented its expediency. The supply of provisions from the Sha-yu-chung (Shark's Bay) is increasing. I am going to detach a vessel from Sha-tin, to. cruize off the place. There are some water-braves in my camp, whom I can detach without inconvenience to Ch.-k-chow. It is also a place inland (within my range.)
(Application for powder, &c.)
(Translation.)
Inclosure 13.
Chan-kwei-tsih to Chan-tsze-tin.
Morning of the 21st February. THE proposal respecting the gunpowder* (poison) is very important. A reward of from 500 to 600 dollars may be given. Three days will be the time allowed, and notice is to be given beforehand. If the introduction of the powder (poison) is successful, it will be rewarded.
The lists of the train-bands of the six wards and the nine wards (or confe- deracies) have been forwarded by the hand of Yu-ke-nin. station having now its full complement, a hundred or more, there is no vacancy Every camp or to be filled up. I will write to you separately regarding the proposed reduction of the braves, and you can act accordingly.
I hear that the rebellious barbarians are spreading a report that between the 28th of this moon and the 2nd of next (22nd to 25th February), they will attack the District City, and I am making arrangements for its defence.
Postscript 1.-The banners for the trainbands, and the circular badges for their dresses, will be finished in a few days, and shall be sent.
Postscript 2.-I send a jar of rice and one of powder.
Postscript 3.-If among the fifty-six volunteers you propose to disband, there be any available men, the propriety of retaining some ten or so may be taken into consideration.
Inclosure 14.
Tan-chin-yung (supposed to be a Pa-tsung, or Ensign, of the Cowloon establish- ment) to Chan-han-tsun (supposed to be Chan-tsze-tin).
(Translation.) Compliments.
March (?). WITH reference to the affair which was to have come off yesterday, they (the parties) were to have set to work on the 10th (5th March ?), but there are five barbarians belonging to the steamer; and on the evening in question, the servants (or persons concerned), after giving them their tea, had gone ashore in different parties, and having obtained the powder, were approaching the vessel, when one of the barbarians who was reading in the cabin, and had not drunk his tea, hearing the boat coming, fired upon her. The party fled to the shore, and so the matter fell through. The barbarian at once gave information, and search being immediately made for the people concerned, they are now in prison awaiting their trial. I do not know what admissions they have made; when The word "yo" (Cantonese "yeuk") may stand either for "ho yo," powder, or "yo tsai," medicine; and the expression "fu yo," a little farther on, for introduction of one or the other. The teacher inclines to refer it to powder.
D
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