Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 697

1841.

Memorial from Lew Yunko of Chěkeäng.

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boldly undertaken the duties of that station; and accordingly, clothed with proper authority to act, he has repaired thither to take com- mand and give security to the inhabitants, and to seize and severely punish traitorous natives.

Luh Tseihchang, the intendant of Ningpo and Shaouhing, is at present at Shangyu collecting the scattered soldiers.

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Le Tingyang, the commander-in-chief of Keuchow, after having been wounded a Chinhae, retired to Shaouhing, and there rallied and collected his forces; and we have deemed it right to order him to repair to Tsaougo, to join commissioner Ching Tsooshin, and as- sist in the direction of affairs at that station.

Tseäng Wanking, the provincial commissioner of justice, has been directed to repair to Shaouhing, and to remain there with the troops, to act in concert with Ching Tsooshin.

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A commissariat has been established at Shaouhing, in order easily to afford the requisite supplies.

The troops which have been repeatedly asked for from Showchun, Keängse, and Hoopih, have not yet arrived. Those stationed at Tsaougo are few, and having been already defeated, will be again the more easily shaken and moved. That by such a force the enemy will be overcome, we, your majesty's ministers, really cannot give any assurance.

The soldiers on the lieutenant-governor's own establishment not being distinguished for their valor, your majesty's minister, Lew, has therefore enrolled the brave and patriotic among the people, and put them under discipline. The whole number of these recruits, in and about Hangchow, is about twenty thousand. Their leaders are brought day after day before the lieutenant-governor, who labors to inspire them with a sense of fidelity and justice, and at the same time encouraging them with pecuniary rewards. By this means, these troops have been somewhat emboldened; but those who fought at Tinghae and Chinhae are scattered and disheartened. Thus the regular troops at Hangchow are weak and feeble, while the recruits are wholly unused to war. Under these circumstances of extreme danger, it is impossible to give any security that either will stand to their posts.

We are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, our strength of body. and mind is exhausted, and our weakness and inability are extreme. It is not in our power to repay the imperial favor. We can only beg his majesty to direct. what we ought to do, and cause us to fulfill our duty. Then great will be our gratitude.