CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11] — Page 163

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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English and French Fleet in 1859, and afterwards captured only by an attack by the allied army from the landward side, have now been greatly multiplied and strengthened. The American officer Li Hung Chang has been employed to instruct the Chinese Torpedo Corps at this point, and he himself told me that the artillery and Torpedo Corps were very efficient, and that he much doubted if any number of hostile ships could now force the passage.

It is generally agreed - even by the French themselves, that France will require an army of ten thousand (10,000) regular Troops to conquer and hold Annam and Tonquin alone; while she would require an army of at least forty thousand (40,000) to take Peking; which might eventually prove a second Moscow.

I have the honour to be
Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble servant,
P.L. BOWEN

on my return to Hongkong

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2026-05-24 00:11:47 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
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English and French Fleet in 1859, and afterwards captured only by an attack by the allied army from the landward side, have now been greatly multiplied and strengthened. The American officer Li Hung Chang has been employed to instruct the Chinese Torpedo Corps at this point, and he himself told me that the artillery and Torpedo Corps were very efficient, and that he much doubted if any number of hostile ships could now force the passage. It is generally agreed - even by the French themselves, that France will require an army of ten thousand (10,000) regular Troops to conquer and hold Annam and Tonquin alone; while she would require an army of at least forty thousand (40,000) to take Peking; which might eventually prove a second Moscow. I have the honour to be Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble servant, P.L. BOWEN on my return to Hongkong
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¡ 15- 1611 English and French Fleet in 1859, and Ivere afterwards captured only by an attack by the allied army frome the land word side, have now been. employed by greatly multiplied and strengthened. The American officer Li Hung Chang to instruct the Chinese Torhedo Corps at this point, -himseit Fold me that the artillery and Torhede Corps overe very efficient, and that he much doubted if any number of hostile ships could now force the passage. It is generally agreed - even by the - Somal Fruch them selves, that France will : require an army of ten thousand (10,000) reqular Froops to conquer Troop› and hold Annam and Tonquin alone; while she would require army of at least forty thousand (40000) to take Vering; which might eventually prove a second Moscow. I have the honour to be alby Lood Your Lordship's Most Erdient Humble servant, PL Br 5.M.Bowen my return to Hongkong
2026-05-24 00:11:47 · Baseline
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¡

15-

1611

English and French Fleet in 1859, and

Ivere

afterwards captured only by

an attack by

the allied

army

frome

the land word side, have now been.

employed by

greatly multiplied and strengthened. The American officer Li Hung Chang to instruct the Chinese Torhedo Corps at this point, -himseit Fold me that the artillery

and Torhede Corps overe

very efficient, and that he much doubted if any number of hostile ships could now force the passage.

It is generally agreed - even by the

-

Somal

Fruch them selves, that France will

: require an army of ten thousand (10,000) reqular Froops to conquer

Troop›

and hold Annam and Tonquin

alone; while she would require

army of at least forty thousand (40000) to take Vering; which might eventually prove a second Moscow.

I have the honour to be

alby Lood

Your Lordship's Most Erdient Humble servant,

PL Br

5.M.Bowen

my return to Hongkong

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