[ { "id": 216524, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "page_number": 8, "title": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "content_text": "of landing \nlarge force within the influence of & \nsuch extraordinary current- \nChaps has this peculiarity, that about a fourth of the City is separated from the best, by \nnot, \nby a wall. \nwithin which alone the Chinese reside. Mit has ment \nNe \nMe affecerrace and arrangetati cantonments tech Mind the Houses an \nin Jatility \nLir \n= /pavior. Enry male odcctt writst offener When \nCa \nis dr \nor three matchlock Soldier, as in Eny house two with a quantity of Swords, , were found. Mir womeld afferre to to a mandarin privilege an The Chinese Trooper have thurs in . \nThe Strength of the Chiside fron \ndifficult \nto estimate. \nFrom the bot summer of information would say they had about 3000 men in there libit on the bright, 1900 of whom were Mantchoo Portairs. \nthe I calculate their loss to be about from 12 to 1570 \nMin. \nhod. \nd to rimate my \nIingut to feel obliged \"ops is greater than I anticipated, though small, When the strength of the position, and, for a home ta obstinate defence of the Chuxine, is batute into consideration . I by to subjoin a list of the killed and wounded, and here I may \nIn \nsteep \nto express my such regret at the loss, to the servic and to his country, of Lieutenant (alone. \nof the \nRoyal Irish, who felt at the head of her loop's in the \npill \nby wall. \nof remoron, honored \nby \nthat Corses, Camente \"I have also been deprived of the valuable \nServices of Lt. Colonel Mountain who has received \nst dangerous, Home sur tout. I trust not \nwounds this \nwhose dealous consort\", thus meritorious Staff Officier, I have had frequent opportunity of witnessing, \nand pleation in seroding – I per also Schall foron considerable tione be deprived of the services of Captain Connell of thee 33+ who is dangerously wounded, and I have spoken sporites amount of them I felt collect on for notice \nevery attention has her paid to alleviate the suffering of my other \nwernded Officers & Coldin \nSurgeon whose exertions. \nLy \nby. \nDr Frisch \nunceasing, \ndoing well \nare most-thankful to find all are \n10 \nIny \nLvst \nThe conduct of the white fore calls for \nmartand approbation. In Colonel Schorder \nMontgomerie fing \nLint Colonels 1 ms and \ncommanding, my best thanks on due, they will excente \nEsry orster they raised, was worn as vill Supported by the Serveral Contrending Seire \nof Carter & Selectments. W. Colonel 263 Mat \ndr. Cs. Knordes We body, St. (v. Stischern 49. St. W. Knores Mi", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 247589, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12]", "page_number": 263, "title": "CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12]", "content_text": "have to state that I do not intend, unless I should receive instructions \n\nfrom you, to fill up the vacancy which will be caused in the course of a few days amongst the official Members by the departure of Colonel Collin and the abolition of the Office of Clerk to the Council.\n\n \nThe Council will then consist of 6 official and 3 unofficial Members in addition to the Governor; and I beg to submit to your Grace that it should remain for the present at this number; and further that the official members should never for the future bear to the unofficial members a proportion than two to one, but that in the event of it being deemed desirable hereafter to increase the number of officials\n\n \na Contingency which I think not likely to arise - a proportional increase should at the same time be made in the unofficial Members.\n\n \nI have the honor to be \n\nMy Lord Duke, Your Grace's most Obedient Servant,\n\nGeorge Robinson", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-074 - Lieut. Governor Caine & Sir Robinson - 1859 [6-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 250264, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "page_number": 414, "title": "CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860", "content_text": "The efforts of the Sappers to lay down the pontoon bridge were unavailing; no less than fifteen of the men carrying it being knocked over in one instant, and one of the pontoons destroyed.\n\nAt this juncture, Sir R. Napier caused the two howitzers of Captain Govan's battery to be brought up to within 50 yards of the gate, in order more speedily to create a breach, and a space sufficient to admit one man had just been made when our storming party (now joined by the head-quarters' wing of 67th, under Colonel Knox) who had partly crossed by the French bridge and partly swum over, forced their way in by single file in the most gallant manner, Lieut. Rogers, 44th Regiment, and Lieut. Burslem, 67th Regiment, being the first to enter, when they assisted in planting the regimental colours of the 67th, carried by Ensign Chaplin, who first planted them on the breech (assisted by Private Lane, 67th Regiment), and subsequently on the cavalier, which he was the first to mount. At the same moment the French effected their entrance, and the garrison was driven back step by step, and hurled pell-mell through the embrasures on the opposite side.\n\nHere the same obstacles which had impeded our advance, obstructed their retreat; in addition to two wet ditches and two belts of pointed bamboo stakes, there was swampy ground, and a third ditch and bank.\n\nThe storming parties opened a destructive fire on them from the cavalier, and this was enhanced by the cannister fire of Captain Govan's guns which had been moved to the left of the fort for this purpose.\n\nThe ground outside the fort was literally strewn with the enemy's dead and wounded: three of the Chinese were impaled on the stakes. A few fugitives reached the outer North Fort, which opened fire to cover their retreat, and was answered by the Armstrong guns with good effect.\n\nAbout an hour after this the whole of the forts on both sides of the river hauled down their war banners, and hoisted flags of truce. General Montauban and I sent each an Officer to ask their meaning, and summon them to surrender, but they only received an evasive and insolent reply, and were defied to come on to the attack.\n\nAccordingly two fresh regiments, the 3d Buffs and the 8th Punjaub Infantry, having been brought up, I advanced to attack the outer North Fort. Two 8-inch guns were placed in position against it; the other siege guns could not be brought up.* The field batteries were placed at 800 yards' range on an arc encircling the left and front, the French guns on our right. Not a shot was fired by the enemy, and the Allied Infantry pushed on, crossed the ditches, and scaled the walls, without meeting any opposition; the garrison of 2,000 men being made prisoners.\n\nThis Fort was stronger than the first. They are all constructed on the same plan, being Redoubts with a thick rampart heavily armed with guns and wall pieces, and having a high cavalier facing seawards, the guns of which were all turned in towards us; they have two unfordable wet ditches, between which and the parapet sharp bamboo stakes were thickly planted, forming two belts, each about 15 feet wide, round the fort, an abattis encircling the whole, and further covered by pieces of water, which force an advance to be made only on a narrow front.\n\nTowards evening the garrisons of the South Forts were observed to be evacuating them, and detachments of English and French were passed over in ships' boats, and occupied them. There is not now the trace of an enemy near us, and the whole of the forts and entrenched camps are in our hands, containing about 400 guns, many of which are of very large calibre.\n\nIt is difficult to account for the confusion and uncertainty which seemed to pervade the enemy when the first fort fell; but it now appears that the general in command was killed, and the second in command was either killed or missing; and the confusion caused by this, together with the severe lesson received in the first fort, rendered them incapable or unwilling of further resistance.\n\nI cannot conclude this Despatch without expressing my sense of the very valuable services of Major-General Sir Robert Napier, who conducted the attack, and whose assistance has been most useful.\n\nThe service of the Artillery under Brigadier-General Crofton was most excellent; its effects I have already described.\n\nThe engineering operations were conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Mann; and, lastly, I must bring to notice the gallant conduct of the storming party, which was commanded by Brigadier Reeves, who, himself severely wounded in three places, did not quit the field until he had conducted his men into the Fort.\n\nThe wounded were removed as soon as possible into Tang-ku, where every arrangement for their temporary reception was made by Dr. Muir, the Principal Medical Officer.\n\n*The guns of the cavalier of the captured fort were manned and turned on it.\n\nMany others, both officers and soldiers, behaved in a manner deserving of being mentioned; but want of time does not permit me to treat of it in this despatch, and on a future occasion I shall do myself the honour of bringing their names to your notice.\n\nI would also wish to inform Her Majesty's Government how cordially and sincerely our French Allies have co-operated with us, as well as the admiration I feel for their gallant conduct in the field.\n\nGeneral de Montauban has always shown every disposition to act thoroughly in concert with me, and to co-operate in every manner in his power.\n\nThe services of the gunboats will doubtless be brought to notice by the Naval Commander-in-Chief, and I beg here to record what a valuable and efficient colleague I have found in Admiral Hope, whose unwearying exertions throughout the whole campaign, and in discharging the numerous duties of transporting this large force to the seat of war have contributed greatly to the success of operations.\n\nI have, &c. (Signed) J. HOPE GRANT, Lieut.-Gen.\n\nCommanding Her Majesty's Forces in China.\n\nThe Right Honourable\n\nThe Secretary of State for War,\n\nSIR,\n\n&c\n\n&c.\n\n&c.\n\nDESPATCH from Major-General Sir R. NAPIER to Sir J. Hope Grant.\n\nHead Quarters, Tang-ku, August 24, 1860.\n\nTHE 2d Division of the China Force occupied the fortified camp and village of Tang-ku on the 14th instant, and the four succeeding days were devoted to the severe labour of bridging the numerous canals which intersect and surround the work, of making raised causeways through the broad spaces of the interior which are inundated at every tide, and of making roads to the front for heavy Artillery, in preparation for advancing on the Northern Forts of Taku.\n\nHaving received the sanction of the Commander-in-Chief to commence operations against the Fort which lay nearest to my position, I advanced on the evening of the 19th a strong picket, composed as per margin, to the border of a series of canals which surround the enemy's position. The Engineers, under the direction of Lieut.-Colonel Mann, immediately commenced passages across the broad canals to my front and left. My right was comparatively open and bounded by the Peilo. Tartar village and cantonment gave some cover on the left bank. The right bank was studded with strong batteries, which, together with the nearest of the Southern Forts, were capable of giving a severe flanking fire against our line of advance. An attempt to avoid this, by making a way through a series of salt works, consisting of deep canals and broad reservoirs, which protected the enemy's right, was unsuccessful.\n\nThe labour of the night of the 19th, during which nearly my whole picket was on the working parties, advanced us to a distance of 800 yards from the Fort.\n\nOn the morning of the 20th, the Commander-in-Chief visited the positions, and the sites of the batteries were determined on.\n\nUp to this time the enemy had apparently taken no notice of our proceedings, but about 11 A.M. they opened from both of the Northern Forts, from the South Forts, and from the battery on the right bank, thus developing their whole fire. This was of material advantage in guiding my subsequent proceedings.\n\nThe fire from the Fort under attack was immediately replied to most effectively by a few rounds of Milward's Armstrong guns, at a range of 2,000 yards, and after a time the firing gradually died away, without loss on our side.\n\nDuring the night of the 20th the batteries were completed by the Engineer Department, and the remaining canals in front were bridged, so as to give access to the ground, and convert them into valuable cover.\n\nDuring this day the force was strengthened as per margin.\n\nThe Artillery for the batteries was passed to the front during the night, and placed in position before daylight, with the exception of one 8-inch gun, which got so deeply embedded in the mud that it could not be extricated until morning,\n\nAn aide-de-camp from General Collinôt informed me at dusk, on the evening of the 20th, that the French force destined to share in the attack had arrived.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-079 - Public Offices - 1860.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 261492, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-104 - Sir Robinson - 1865 [1-3] & Acting Governor Mercer - 1865 [3-4]", "page_number": 191, "title": "CO129-104 - Sir Robinson - 1865 [1-3] & Acting Governor Mercer - 1865 [3-4]", "content_text": "# \n## RECEIVED\n### APL 19 1865\n188\n\nI am to call the attention of the Colony to a matter that has been under the consideration of his Lordship & the testimony of H. H. is borne out by it. The present occasion is afforded by Lieutenant Colonel Commandant Robinson to state the prospects of the Volunteer Movement in the Colony and the services rendered by the Corps, not only in Hongkong, but also in China and in affairs connected with the main object of the Corps.\n\n## \n### Hong Kong, 27th February, 1865\n\nI have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter received from Major Brine, Royal Engineers, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Hongkong Volunteers, in which he recommends an Allowance of £100 ($480) a year to the Adjutant.\n\nThe Right Honorable \nEdward Cardwell, M.P., \n\n## \n| Date | Reference |\n| --- | --- |\n| 16 May /65 | [illegible] infr. |\n| 28 Apr/65 | by Elias Collin |\n| 11 Th... | ... |\n\n### Page 363", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-104 - Sir Robinson - 1865 [1-3] & Acting Governor Mercer - 1865 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403483, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 392, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "# Inclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\n## Mr. Colvin to Government of India.\n\nSrinagar, May 11, 1904. IN continuation of my letter, dated the 27th April, 1904, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India, translations of a letter and its inclosure, received by the Political Agent in Gilgit from the Mir of Hunza regarding the recent interchange of presents between Hunza and the Chinese authorities at Kashgar.\n\n## (Translation.)\n\nI have given this order, and thus every year he comes he is well looked after. It would be better if in future you send the gold earlier. You, Mansabdar, are doing your work well, and have given your heart to it. We also are pleased with you. When a person possesses peace of mind, he can then work in the interests of his subjects, look after them diligently, and do good to them. In such circumstances the subjects, too, serve their Ruler with devotion and behave like good people. The result is that such an Empire never comes to grief. I, Taotai, am very pleased with you, Mansabdar, so I write this to you.\n\nThis letter is given to Mansabdar, Mir of Kanjut, Muhammad Nazim Khan, 30th year of Kuang-Hsü Khan, 19th of the 1st month—viz., Zilhijja, 1321 (8th March, 1904).\n\n# Inclosure 10 in No. 1.\n\n## Mir of Hunza to Captain Gurdon.\n\n(After compliments.)\n\n1 Safar, 1322 (April 18, 1904), NAZAR ALI has returned from Kashgar with the presents that the Chinese authorities send me every year. I am sending the Taotai's letter on to you, and hope it will reach you.\n\n2. As directed by Colonel Miles, Nazar Ali talked over the Raskam question with the Taotai, and explained that Raskam was from ancient times within the limits of Kanjut, that in the past years the Taotai had stated that the lands were given over to the Kanjutis, but that the Russians were making mischief, and that Raskam could not therefore be given either to Hunza people or to any other people, and that now the people of Sarikol were cultivating the lands for reasons not known. The Taotai, in reply, said that the Raskam lands were undoubtedly within the Kanjut limits, and that he would write on the subject to the Futai (Governor of New Dominions) at Urumchi, who, the Taotai hoped, would sanction the grant. All this conversation was reported by Nazar Ali to Colonel Miles with full details. The Taotai also said that he would write to the Amban at Tashkurghan and instruct him to prohibit cultivation in Raskam by foreign people.\n\n# Inclosure 11 in No. 1.\n\n## Taotai of Kashgar to Mir Muhammad Nazim Khan of Hunza.\n\nI HAVE seen the letter you sent me. You, Mansabdar (official), have sent here the gold fixed from old times for the 29th year of Kuang-Hsü Khan (Emperor of China). It weighed 1 seer and 5 miskals (4 tolas). I, Taotai, have received it personally, and will forward it to Shingjang Shongfu (Governor of the New Dominions at Urumchi). The said Shongfu will send it on to Bogh Khan (Emperor of China). As usual, two pieces of tawar (Chinese silk of superior quality) have been sent you by hand of Nazar Ali and Gauhar Shah. They will deliver them to you. I, Taotai, have, according to old usage, shown my favour to you and have sent to you, Mansabdar, 20 pieces of shahi (Bokhara silk), 10 bricks of black tea, 4 pairs of China cups, and 1 big yamboo (Chinese silver coin weighing 160 tolas). In addition, I am also sending 2 pieces of durdoon (Chinese silk inferior to tawar), and 200 pieces of white and blue kirbas (coarse cloth made in Kashgar). All these things have been made over to your men who came here, and they will hand them over to you. You should see these favours of mine and distribute the articles among the persons who are doing service to you, so that they also may see the favours. To Nazar Ali and Gauhar Shah I have shown my kindness by granting them 12 strings of puls (1 string = 20 tangas = about rupees 3:8), China cups, kirbas, and black tea. I have also given them a written order to all my subordinate officials to look after them (Nazar Ali and Gauhar Shah) properly, treat them respectfully, and make their journey easy from karawal to karawal (karawal is a small post stationed at certain places to watch routes leading from one place to another). No hire will be taken from them for the carts and ponies supplied to them.\n\n# (Confidential.)\n\n## Inclosure 12 in No. 1.\n\n## Mr. Colvin to Government of India.\n\nSrinagar, June 3, 1904. IN continuation of the correspondence ending with my telegram of the 22nd April, I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of the India, copy of a letter of the 19th May, received from the Political Agent, Gilgit, in which he expresses his views on the amount of compensation to be given to the Mir of Hunza, if the relations of that Chief with China are to be severed, and also on the possible measures for providing for the redundant population of Hunza.\n\nI concur with the Political Agent that, under the circumstances explained by him, the actual pecuniary loss to the Mir, if the severance of the relations of his State with China is effected, would possibly be less than that sum, but it is a matter in which compensation should, I think, be liberally given. The compensation should be fixed at not less than 3,000 rupees per annum.\n\nOf the three possible measures proposed for relieving the excess population of Hunza, the one promising the quickest and most certain results is, in my opinion, the suggested increase in the strength of the existing levies. Captain Gurdon has pointed out that, although relief is not so urgently required in Nagar as in Hunza, it would, nevertheless, be impolitic while dealing with the question to omit the former State from consideration. The increase in the number of levies in each State to 250 men is, in my opinion, in itself a desirable measure, for the Hunza and Nagar men make excellent levies, and may now, I think, be fully depended on, but it would be a somewhat costly measure, involving, according to the Political Agent, an extra annual expenditure of 14,000 rupees. Details of this amount have been asked for, and will be forwarded, if required, to the Government of India.\n\nThe advisability of rearming the levies has been revived by Captain Gurdon. My views on this question—which agree with those of my predecessor, Mr. Dane—are already known to the Government of India. Should an increase in the number of the levies be decided upon, I think there would be no undue risk in providing them at the same time with a better weapon than that they at present possess.\n\nAs regards the other two measures proposed by the Political Agent, they possess the undoubted advantage of taking people out of the country instead of putting money in. The principal obstacle to their success is the obstructive attitude adopted by the Chiefs towards the emigration of their subjects outside their States. The conditions on which the Durbar were willing three years ago, and are still willing, to allow colonization on the Matam Das lands are very reasonable, and it is a pity that the proposal should be thwarted owing to the disfavour with which it is viewed by the Mir of Hunza. It would appear that the scheme is not alternative to the suggested increase of the levies or contingent on the decision of the Government of India as regards the latter. I am therefore urging the Political Agent to use his influence in inducing the Mir to change his present attitude, and to refrain generally from discouraging his subjects from seeking employment in Gilgit and elsewhere. It will be seen from the Political Agent's recent diaries that he has already pressed the Mir to reconsider his views in the matter, and I hope shortly to hear that his arguments have taken effect.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 403491, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 400, "title": "CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## 22\n\n4. There is much to be said for the proposal to deal with the question of suzerainty first and that of the frontier afterwards, but this will undoubtedly protract the settlement of the latter question to a distant date; and if we at once adopt the frontier-line proposed in my last letter, I should be disposed to advise that both matters should be taken up with the Chinese simultaneously. The cession of all rights in Raskam and the Western Taghdumbash should prove a great inducement to make the definition of the frontier acceptable to China.\n\n## Inclosure 34 in No. 1.\n\n### Consul Macartney to Mr. Colvin\n\nCamp Yarkand, October 2, 1904.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 2nd September last, calling for a report from me on the following matters in connection with the frontier between Kashmir and New Dominion:\n\n| Matter | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | The extent to which rights in the western extremity of the Taghdumbash Pamir have recently been exercised by the Kanjutis; |\n| (b) | Measures which it would be practicable to adopt for effectively asserting the rights of the Mir of Hunza in the country referred to, in the event of China acting inconsistently with such rights; |\n| (c) | Measures for securing the observance of the frontier which it has been proposed should be treated as having been accepted by China. |\n\n2. In reply, I beg to state as follows:\n\n3. With reference to (a). Before and since 1891, the year in which Hunza was annexed by us, the Kanjutis have levied, yearly, a tax of numdahs and woollen ropes from the Wakhis on the Taghdumbash Pamir. It is believed that the Wakhis in the two valleys leading from the Kilik and the Mintika Passes and joining at Mintika Aghaz and thence in the combined valley (Taghdumbash) as far down as Dafdar (about 30 miles south of Tashkurghan) pay this tax. No doubt, in former times, those who lived to the north of this place, down to Tashkurghan, were also more or less subjected to this imposition. But I think the tax was forcibly levied chiefly in the country south of Dafdar. Dafdar may therefore be said to have been the limit up to which the Kanjutis used to exercise an effective influence. The tax is still collected; and the last time this right was exercised was in this year. The matter was reported to this office by our Sarikol newswriter in his diary in the following terms: \"August 5, 1904. - Zarparast of Hunza, with nine men, arrived here to take the yearly tribute from the Taghdumbash.\"\n\n4. With reference to (b) and (c). No doubt, in the slave-raiding days, before we annexed Hunza and the Chinese established troops in Tashkurghan, the Mir of Hunza was well-nigh the Ruler of the Taghdumbash. Recently, however, the situation has altered materially. The Chinese have informally acquiesced, on the one side, to the Russian occupation of the Pamirs in the Upper Oxus basin, and, on the other, to our annexation of Hunza. But whilst resigning themselves to these political changes, they have conceived for themselves pretty decided notions as to what their new boundary is. For all intents and purposes, they have taken this to be the two watersheds, the one separating the Taghdumbash River from the Upper Oxus on the east, and the other separating the Taghdumbash and the Raskam Rivers from the tributaries of the Indus on the south. They claim, therefore, as theirs the two valleys, the Kara Chukur and the Mintika, which we wish to have incorporated within our boundary; and I doubt if anything short of actual force would make them relinquish their claim. The Chinese are by nature tenacious about their frontier-line, and in recent years, they have furnished several instances in which they have asserted themselves against us, to prevent any confusion as to our respective spheres. In 1891 or 1892, whilst shooting in the Kara Chukur Valley, the Earl of Dunmore and Major Roche built, at their camp at the foot of the Kilik Pass, a sort of shelter consisting, I believe, of a rough stone wall. This erection was removed, by orders of the Taotai of Kashgar, immediately after the gentlemen referred to left Kara Chukur. Then, a few years later, in 1895, when the Anglo-Russian Pamir Boundary Commission was at work, Colonel Holdich crossed by the Paik Pass on to the Taghdumbash Pamir; and whilst travelling towards Tashkurghan, he was abruptly brought to a halt by a party of Chinese soldiers headed by an officer, who, having got news at Tashkurghan of Colonel Holdich's movements, came to check his further progress. Then, again, there is the incident of the topographical pillars erected by Captain Deasy whilst surveying in the Taghdumbash country; the Chinese took care to have these effaced, lest they should be said to be boundary-marks.\n\n5. These facts show that the Chinese are on the watch; and probably, in the present case, they will be found to be even more than usually so, in view of the proximity of the Taghdumbash Pamir to Russian territory. They know fully well what hysterical shrieks for compensation will be raised the moment the Russians hear that the Chinese are bartering away to us a piece of land in which the Russians claim a reversionary interest as important as in the Taghdumbash Pamir.\n\n6. Under these circumstances, I think it improbable that the Chinese will be easily induced to relinquish to us any territory, however small, on their side of the Mintika and of the Kilik Passes. If the Kanjutis came to claim their numdahs and ropes, the Chinese would, no doubt, continue to humour them, out of deference, as they would probably say, to a long-standing custom, but they would never allow this claim to be magnified into a right of taxation, and much less into one of territorial jurisdiction; and I am persuaded that, were the Mir of Hunza to send his men to assert his rights by establishing an outpost, say, at Mintika Aghaz or at Dafdar, the Chinese would immediately resort to force to turn them out.\n\n7. So much, then, for the Western Taghdumbash. Circumstances appear to be somewhat different in regard to the other tract, namely, about Darwaza, which we desire to secure on the northern side of the main watershed. No doubt, were the Chinese asked if Darwaza was within their territory, they would say yes, after they have discovered that it is situated on their side of the watershed. But we also have a good case. In the first place, Darwaza is within the actual limits of the territory of the Mir of Hunza, and secondly, the place is so inaccessible that, however much the Chinese might resent its inclusion by Kanjut, they would certainly not attempt to oust the Kanjutis from it. The thing, however, in this connection likely to give us most trouble is the cry which the Russians will raise: \"The English have crossed the Hindoo Kush. Russia must seek a new adjustment of frontier with Kashgaria.\" I may incidentally mention that our boundary in this region is closely watched by the Russians here. Only three weeks ago, happening to be on a visit to Major Lastochkin, a Russian General Staff officer now on intelligence duty in Kashgar, I found him trying to draw me into a discussion with reference to the accuracy of a Russian map, whereon the Indian boundary was traced along the Raskam River.\n\n8. Supposing that the policy of the Government is to get the whole frontier question, including the Chinese claim of suzerainty over Hunza, settled once for all, and that regardless of possible Russian counter-movements, then I would respectfully suggest the following line of action in our negotiations with China:\n\n9. The matter of suzerainty should be treated first and separately from the general frontier question.\n\n10. We have in our hand a pretty good card in the Hunza claims to Raskam; and it ought to be sufficient to win for us the release of that State from the shadowy rights of China over it. At this stage, however, no hint should be given of our intention to secure any tract of country on the Chinese side of the watershed. Taking up an aggrieved tone, we might explain to the Chinese Government that the Mir of Hunza was weary of carrying on negotiations over Raskam, negotiations which led to no result, and that, with our consent, he has abandoned his claims over that country; but that, on the other hand, he will henceforth discontinue the yearly exchange of presents with the authorities in the New Dominion.\n\n11. I do not believe the Chinese would grieve very much over the loss of the Hunza tribute. It is to be hoped that without making any undue fuss, they will give Hunza the requisite discharge.\n\n12. Once having formally obtained this discharge, we might raise the frontier question. In doing this, we might draw the Chinese Government's attention to the existence of Sir Claude MacDonald's despatch of the 14th March, 1899, and might ...\n\n*The late Huang Taotai of Kashgar informed me probably in 1899 that he and the then Titai had been ordered to report to the Tsung-li Yamen with reference to certain frontier proposals made by the British Minister in Peking, and that a report was accordingly submitted. I believe this matter was referred to in my diary. But as I am writing from memory, not having my files at hand for reference, I am unable to state the facts very accurately.*\n\n## 23 \n## 393", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 441689, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-398 - Individuals - 1912", "page_number": 138, "title": "CO129-398 - Individuals - 1912", "content_text": "## 134\n\n2+ which hall Course our using this officer for such work if it appeared to us to be necessary. I can only presume it never has been considered necessary.\n\nThere are always Hong Kong and Straits Police officers home on leave whose assistance we are able to obtain without having to pay them any honorarium and I really don't see any advantage in having one special man told off for this duty. There is also, I think, an advantage in employing active officers home from the Colonies as these men are up to date with their local information &c. whereas a permanent officer may in the course of a few years be out of date. We don't recruit for the F.M.S.\n\nI will not regrant for...\n\n575/12\n\n? Then suggest that the S.S. is not prepared to avail himself of the offer.\n\n? Thank him for his offer but that it is not probable that it will be worthwhile availing ourselves of his services, the better without expenses for the service.\n\n### Lee Recruiting Officer\n\nI have the honour to acquaint you that the following Proposal may be considered.\n\nIt was suggested to me by the late Mr. Burn, Colonel Superintendent of Hong Kong, that I should apply for permission to recruit for Armed Police Forces of the Straits Settlements, Federated Malay States, and Johore. Having served for twenty years in various Police Forces, I know the class of man required for each and would be in a position to explain clearly to each recruit the Conditions of life in their future place, which would avoid any Complaints they may have after the men join.\n\nThe only expenses to the Government's Control would be a small fee for each recruit, and harbour travelling expenses.\n\nI have the honour to be,\nDir.\nYour obedient Servant,\nW. H. Capt.\nLate Hong Kong Police.\n\nThe under... | Colmin | \n| --- | --- | \n| 423 | FFB 12 |\n| 859 | 422 |\n| 5673 | 43 |", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-398 - Individuals - 1912.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 466628, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916", "page_number": 210, "title": "CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916", "content_text": "The Rt. Hon.\n\nDowning Street,\n\n28th May, 1916.\n\n209\n\nDear Sir,\n\nI have shown to Mr. Bonar Law the enclosed\n\nletter from Colonel Colvin. He would have been\n\nvery glad to do as Captain Dallin asks if it had\n\nbeen possible, but he regrets to say that Captain\n\nDallin's case has been specially represented to\n\nthe Governor of Hong Kong and that the Governor has\n\nreplied that it is quite impossible to allow\n\nCaptain Dallin to be absent from the Colony after\n\nJuly 15th. I am sure you will understand that\n\nMr. Bonar Law is bound to accept the Governor's\n\nopinion as to the necessity of an officer's\n\nservices and that he is therefore unable to do\n\nanything more in the matter.\n\nYours truly,\n\nLIEUTENANT-COLONEL LOCKWOOD, C.V.O., M.P.\n\n(Sd) F.G.A. Butler.\n\nPage 210\n\nPage 211", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-440 - Others & Individuals - 1916.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]