Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 169

144

Notice of Japan in the Ilái-kwoh Tú Chi

MARCH,

ed: "Wang Chih and the rest are registered subjects of China. When they talked of exerting themselves thus in evidence of their submis- sion, they should have forthwith disbanded their troops: but without saying aught upon this subject, they have simply requested leave to bring tribute, and open a trade, in covert imitation of dependent states. Their craftiness is beyond the reach of speculation, and it is therefore the duty of the Board to direct the governor-general (whose memorial they were considering), to make the power of the state to be feared, to push forward its defenses with energy, and to write to Wáng Chih and the rest, and desire them to prove that they are in earnest by extir- pating the pirates, and destroying their haunts in Chusan. Should perfect tranquillity be restored to the maritime districts, favor and re- compense will of course follow thereon."

At this time Chehkiáng, on both sides of the river, was harassed by

the Japanese. In the district of Tsz'-kí, they burned and massacred with great ferocity, and also in that of Yiiyầu, though to a less ex- tent. In the west of the province, Cheh-Jin, Chápu, Wú-chin, and Tsau-lin, were all haunts of these marauders, of whom, from first to last, upwards of twenty thousand had come. In the 7th moon, Tsung Hien, who had received the Imperial commands to devise some feasi- ble policy without delay, reported that the pirate chief Máu Hái-fung,