1842.
Journal of Dreurtences
No. 4.
63
On the 22d of October, the emperor expresses his great regret on account of the death of Yükien, who gave his for lite his country, casting himself into the water.' He adds to his departed servant's titular distinctions, orders him funeral honors of high class, and remits whatever there may be recorded against him in any of his official situations. His majesty then calls to mind the death of Yükien's grandfa- ther, in the same manner, at I'lí, during the reign of Kienlung, directs that Yakien receive subordinate sacrificial honors in the same temple of “faithful ministers" in which his ancestor had already found a place,-promises farther honors at the end of the war.-directs all the local officers to pay to his remains every honor, wher ever they may pass on the way to Peking, and sends Yükien's brother to meet the coffin, permitting him bring it within the city of Peking.
No. 5.
An express from the Board of War was received at Hángchau on the 27th of October, giving cover to an imperial rescript of the 17th, in answer to the report of Yu Puyun, the commander-in chief in Chekiang, That functionary, in announ- cing the loss of Chinhái, added that he had retired to Ningpò, which was at that moment defenceless, but which he would use every exertion to save. It was then threatened by the enemy, but it might be that they were only making a feint to draw off attention from Hángchan. His majesty commands him to continue if possible at Ningpò; but, should that place also fall to the enemy, to retreat to Háng- chau, and aid in its defence: Shauling from its neighborhood to Ningpo, might in the latter case also be found untenabile ;—every exertion should, however, be made for its defence, that might be consistent with a due care for the safety of the empital of the province.
No. 6.
On the 24th of October, another imperial rescript was issued consequent on hav- ing received from the general of the Tartar garrison, and other officers at Hang- chau the announcement of Ningpò fallen. His majesty has once more to give ut- terance to ‘the extremity of his wrath and indignation.' By this report, it appears, that, on the 12th of October, eight foreign vessels approached the city, and com- menced a cannonade of it, when, the force therein being but "small, the place immediately fell." The emperor, in commenting upon this subject and the arrange- ments to be made in consequence of the loss of Ningpò, alludes to the impor- tance of the post of Tsáugo, a small river, having its embouchure to the northward and westward of Chiuhái, whith runs past the city of Shauhing (beyond the town, lately visited, of Yayáu): sundry civil officers are ordered to be sent to Shau- hing, and among the rest a commissary-general to lay in a store of grain. With regard to Hángchau his majesty continues, officers and troops have already been dispatched thither; but it must require about two months for them all to arrive. Reliance must meanwhile be placed upon the exertions of the provincial officers. -It seems, that since the fall of Ningpò, nothing had been heard of the com- mander-in-chief, Yû Púynn; his majesty directs search to be made for him, and a true statement of all particulars to be forwarded to the court. It is further com- manded, upon the representation of the it--governor, Liú Yunko, that the militia of the neighboring provinces shall not be sent till the moment of action arrive, lest they become, during a period of inactivity, mere bandits. These last orders were received at Hángchau on the 30th of October.
(True Abstract) J. R. MORRISON. Chinese Secretary and Interpreter. 5. Defensive measures of the Chinese at Hangchau and Tientsin, as detailed in letters received at Hángchau, and published in the Hongkong Gazette.
Hú Cháu, commander-in-chief in Shensí, was on his way, apparently, to Fu- kien, when he received, on the 20th of October, the imperial commands, appoint- ing him a joint commissioner. He was then on the frontiers of Chili, from whence he wrote to the government of Chekiáng informing it of his appointment, and stating that he was about to repair to Hángchau, in obedience to the impe- nal commands, with 2000 men. He received, at the same time, the announcement ued at Peking two days earlier) of the appointment of Yiking as generalissimo
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