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highly desirable. My suggestion was at once accepted, and I have the honour to inclose a translation of the result. This had a very marked effect in quieting matters, which was further increased by another short rhyming Proclamation of the same tenour, in twenty-four simple characters, issued two days later, for the benefit of the illiterate. A Proclamation concerning the protection of chapels, translation of which is inclosed, was issued on the 29th, At my suggestion, forty copies of a Proclamation, under the seals of the Governor-General and Governor, were sent to me, to be affixed to each British chapel in the province, stating that the chapel in question is known to the authorities to be British, and to have no connection with the French, and is therefore to be left alone, under heavy penalties. I have great pleasure in testifying to the manifest desire of his Excellency the Governor-General to do everything possible to prevent the present state of affairs from reacting prejudicially on the subjects of neutral Powers.
The Proclamation to be affixed to chapels came, unfortunately, a day too late to prevent an attack on two English chapels at Fatshan, one of which was considerably damaged. The matter, however, does not appear to be a very serious one, and the local authorities have expressed their desire to settle it without its being referred to the Governor-General. I am in great hopes that no more trouble may ensue in this direction. With regard to the French cathedral and the French Consulate in the city, I learn that they have been sealed and a strong guard put on them, and also that the same course has been taken with the French chapels in the interior. I am further informed that the French claims on account of the Shamien riot were daly paid about five days ago.
Early on the morning of the 6th instant a despatch arrived from the Governor- General, stating that the opening in the barrier in Collinson Reach would be closed at 11 A.M., while the opening in the other barrier in Cambridge Reach would be reduced to 7 chang. I at once directed the "Ningpo," the only large-sized British steamer in port, to get up steam, and telegraphed to Whampoa to ask that the closing should be delayed, at any rate, till she had passed, and received a reply that my request would be complied with. I also at once addressed the Governor-General, pointing out that closing the Collinson Reach barrier would preclude all deep-draught steamers from coming to Canton, and that even the larger river steamers could not with safety get through a passage only 7 chang in width. My communications appear to have had some effect, for early yesterday morning I received a visit from a Wei-yüan of the Governor-General, asking my opinion as to the smallest passage that would admit of the river-steamer traffic. I elicited from him that the Chinese had received intelligence of Admiral Courbet's arrival in Hong Kong, where he was said to be incognito on board the "La Galissonnière," and also that up to that time he believed no work had been commenced at the barriers. I told him I believed a 10-chang channel would be the very narrowest the largest river steamer could pass through in safety, and took the opportunity of suggesting that if the channel were left in the Collinson Reach barrier, and the Cambridge Reach barrier completed, trade would still go on much as usual; while, if found necessary, the former channel could be blocked as easily as the latter. I am now in hopes that the panic caused by the arrival of several French ships in Hong Kong waters has more or less passed off, and that the Imperial Commissioner charged with the coast defences may see fit to delay to the last moment the execution of an act which would have such serious consequences to trade generally. Should occasion require, I will send shortly a separate Report on the above subject.
In conclusion, I may add that there appears no cause of alarm for the safety of the foreign community here.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. F. HANCE.
P.S.--Information has just been received from the Governor-General that the passage in the Cambridge Reach barrier will not be diminished in width, but be left as heretofore, i.e, with a width of 180 feet, or 15 chang.
H. F. H.
(Translation.)
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Proclamation.
Pêng, a junior guardian of the Heir-Apparent, Imperial Commissioner for the Coast
Defences of Kwangtung, and a President of the Board of War. Chang, a junior guardian of the Heir-Apparent, by Imperial appointment charged with the coast defence of Kwangtung, and lately Governor-General of the Two Kwang. Chang, Governor of Shansi, and Acting Governor-General of the Two Kwang;
and Ni, a Vice-President of the Board of War and Governor of Kwangtung.
In the matter of rewards offered,
BE it known that the French have picked a quarrel with us, and have "themselves rejected those who gave them birth and brought them up." Ungrateful for our kind- ness and condescension in cherishing them, and disregarding the laws of humanity, they have concentrated their forces and are eager for the fray. Ignoring right, and disregarding heaven, they have spied out our frontier and done injury to our depen- dencies.
The sacred benevolence was indulgent to them, and allowed them to make a Treaty and Regulations, which they forthwith broke and repudiated. At the affair of June- last, at the Kwan-yin Bridge, at Liang Shan, they first wounded our envoys and then opened fire on and injured the Imperial troops, when we returned their fire. The double dealing is on their side. They know no repentance for the misfortunes they have caused, but, on the contrary, make exorbitant demands, and, covetously trying to extort an immense sum, think to get hold of our ports. They are cruel, overbearing, and covetous.
Heaven's justice will not countenance them, and all the countries bounding the seas are aware that they are in the wrong. The scholars and people of Yueh have been known from early time for their loyalty and public spirit. Leaning on their spears and donning their armour they have long been eager to meet the enemy, but, standing in awe of their Sovereign's laws, they have not dared to drive [these enemies] out. The latter have now themselves begun the quarrel, and we publish the fact deliberately that the universal resolve of the soldiery and people may be, as it were, a wall, and that with one mind they may put forth their strength. Rewards will be given according to merit; and we will in no wise go back from our word in this matter. A tariff showing how the awards will be made is given below.
Exterminate these miserable slaves, and purify our borders of their stink. Let every one give awed attention to this Proclamation.
1. Any person, whether soldier or civilian, who can capture and kill the French Commander-in-chief, will, on bringing proof to that effect, receive a reward of 10,000 taels, and have the rank of Major and the single-eyed peacock feather secured to him.
He who takes and kills a French official wearing seven stripes will, on bringing proof to that effect, receive a reward of 3,000 taels, and have the single-eyed peacock feather and the rank of First Captain secured to him.
He who takes and kills a French official wearing five stripes will receive a reward of 1,000 taels, and have the blue plume and rank of Second Captain secured to him.
For a French official wearing three stripes a reward will be given of 500 taels, and the blue plume, and rank of Lieutenant will be secured to him. If [the person claiming the reward] has already substantive rank, he will have additional rank secured to him, and all brevets will be given at once [i.e., without waiting for Imperial sanction].
2. Any persons, whether soldiers or civilians, who can capture and kill one of the French regulars, will receive a reward of 200 taels. He who takes and kills an Annamese or Chinese mercenary, hired by the French to fight, will receive a reward of 50 taels. Any one man who takes and kills several will receive an additional reward according to the number. The above will also be given the blue plume and the rank respectively of Lieutenant and Sergeant. Satisfactory proof must, however, he forth- coming, and foreigners of other nations must not be recklessly killed. The brevet for each rank award will be issued at once.
3. When the French army invade the place regulars and militiamen who succeed
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