Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 108

1841:

The Emperor Tavukwang

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"Fourth. Those officers, whose deceased parents have received posthu- mous titles of honor, shall have those titles increased, to correspond with, the promotion of their sons.

"Fifth. Officers at court of the fourth degree of rank, and in the pro- vinces those of the third, shall have the privilege of sending one son to the national college (Kwo-tsze-keën).

"Sixth. Officers who have been deprived of their rank, but retained in office, and whose pay has been stopped or forfeited, shall have their rank and pay restored.

"Seventh. Let the number of candidates to be accepted at the literary examinations, in each province, be increased from ten to thirty persons.

"Eighth. Let the required time of residence in the national college be diminished one month on this occasion.

"Ninth. Let all the graduates of the degree of A. M. be permitted, as a mark of honor, to wear a button of the sixth degree of rank.

"Tenth: Let officers be dispatched to sacrifice at the tombs of departed emperors and kings, of every past dynasty; at the grave of Confucius, and at the five great mountains, and the four great rivers of China.

"Eleventh. Excepting rebels, murderers, and other unpardonable offen- ders, let all those who may have committed crimes before daybreak of the 27th of the 8th moon (the day of ascending the throne) be forgiven. If any person again accuse them with the crimes already forgiven, punish the ac- cuser according to the crime alleged.

"Twelfth. All convicts in the several provinces who have been transport- ed for crimes committed, but who have conducted themselves quietly for a given time, shall be permitted to return to their homes.

"Thirteenth. Tartars under the different banners, and persons of the imperial household convicted of the embezzlement of property, and punished by forfeits, if it can be proved that they really possess no property, let them be all forgiven.

"Fourteenth. Let all officers of government whose sons or grandsons were charged with fines or forfeits on account of their father's crimes, be forgiven. "Fifteenth. Let officers and privates in the Tartar army, to whom go- vernment may have advanced money, not be required to repay it.

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Sixteenth. Let all old soldiers of the Tartar and Chinese armies, who have seen service, and are now invalided, have their cases examined into, and have some favor conferred on them in addition to the legal compassion they already receive.

"Seventeenth. Let there be an inquiry made in all the provinces, for those families in which there are alive five generations; and for those persons who have seen seven generations; and rewards be conferred in addition to the usual honorary tablet conferred by law.

"Eighteenth. Agriculture is of the first importance to the empire-let the officers of government everywhere, and always, laud those who are dili- gent in ploughing and sowing.