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long been left to the control of the British Government, and it is certainly beyond the power of the Government of China to exercise any authority over them; nor can the Chinese Government prohibit or prevent any action these people may take,
The Yamên imagine that the Governor of Hong Kong is fully capable of exhorting the people and exercising restraint over them in such wise as to secure the pursuit of their avocations in a peaceable and orderly manner, without the Chinese Government going beyond their province, and suggesting to his Excellency the means of doing so.
Inclosure 2 in No. 8.
Acting Governor-General Chang to Acting Consul Hance.
Canton, September 25, 1884.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch (see Inclosure 3 in Sir H. Parkes' No. 203 to Earl Granville of the 7th October, 1884).
I have given its contents my best consideration, and have to remark that on two occasions, namely, at Keelung and Pagoda anchorage, in Fokien, the French have sought a quarrel with us, wantonly destroyed human life, and violated our territory, so that upright indignation was universal among the Chinese people. Our countrymen, who frequent Tonquin, Saigon, and Pulo Penang are with one accord gnashing their teeth with anger at the French.
As to the joint Proclamation, I beg to state that its original intention was to induce our countrymen to proceed to the coasts of Tonquin, Fokien, and Kwang-tung, and devise every possible means for the assistance of the Imperial troops, and not to cause trouble in Singapore, Penang, and such places. What cause, then, have you for such excessive concern ? The part referring to the destruction of life with [poisoned] provisions was merely meant as an exhortation to Chinese not to give assistance to the French. You say that "to incite men in this way to compass the murder of their fellow creatures is a most grievous offence against the beneficent laws of Heaven and humanity." Now, the French, during the fighting at Pagoda anchorage, fired on trading- vessels and ferry boats, and, when the Chinese jumped into the water to escape, killed considerably over 1,000 of them with their big guns. Those who have thus innocently suffered were Chinese non-combatants, and people of all nationalities have both seen and heard of the cruelty and inhumanity of the [French] proceedings. I put it to you, is not this indeed "a most grievous offence against the beneficent laws of Heaven and of humanity ?
As you ask for particulars, I now send you this special reply, and have, &c.
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