Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 191

1850.

Journal of Occurrences.

165

ness that I am sensible of the obligation conferred upon me. To this end, I reply, availing myself of the opportunity to wish your excellency luxuriant increase of the blessings of spring.

A necessary communication, to which is annexed a list of the trifles to be presented ɲ- 8 oxen; & sheep : 8 boxes of the best tea of 10 catties each; 8 barrels each of sugar candy and of white flour of 30 catties each; 8 barrels of dried lung-ngan from Kweilin (in Kwangsi) of 20 catties each. 8 barrels of dried lai-chi from Kweilin (in Kwangsi) of W cakties each ; 8 baskets of dried oranges containing 1000 each.

The above is addressed to his excellency Mr. Bonham H B. M. Plenipotentiary, &c., &c.. ‚&c.

Taukwang, 30th year, 2d moon, 1st day. (14th March, 1850).

—China mail.

True Translation. T. F. WADE, Assistant Chinese Secretary The Emperor of China has consulted his own superstitious fears and those of his subjects in an unusual manner, by the promulgation of the following Order in Council. It should be headed “The Emperor of China rs. Luna.” The edict was torn down in the streets of Shanghai by the people who ex- pressed no little discontent at it; no public notice was made in Canton.

"His Majesty's commands have been received. The next year, the 30th of Táukwang, is the 47th of the cycle; on the first day of that year there will be an eclipse, commencing at three o'clock P. M., and ending at 5 o'clock, the ob- acuration will be a little over three tenths. Now, this day is the great one of the sun, when he like a prince rules; and it is also the commencement of mornings when affairs are begun-the chief day of the year. Wherefore, let the 30th day of the 12th month (Feb. 11th) of this year be regarded as new year's day, and let this order be promulgated throughout the empire, every governor-general and governor circulating it and carrying it into effect by issuing a plain edict for general observance. Respect this."

The death of the emperor Táukwáng following in less than a fortnight after the preceding order will be regarded by his subjects as having some connec- tion with it. We have only room at present for the official notice of his death. His majesty was born not far from Sept. 12th, 1781, and was aged 9 years, and 7 months at the time of his death.

"

Feb. 25th 1850. There were on this day, called into an audience, to a General Council, [Taitsiuen] the chief controller of the kindred, Wanking (President of the Board of Rites), and other high ministers who wait before the throne, when & Vermilion Edict was communicated : “Let Yihchu, the Imperial fourth son, be set forth as the imperial heir apparent. You princes and high officers, why wait for our words? Acsist and support him with united hearts, and do you all regard whatever pertains to the concerns of the country and the people as of high importance, without sympathy for anght else. A special command.'

An Imperial order. We have received from our late imperial Father, his Majesty who has just taken the great journey, our being and support, enjoying a nourishing anxious care as bigh and boundless as heaven. His sacred age had just attained to threescore and ten, and his force was still vigorous, so that it might have been calculated that he would have reached the period of a hundred years, and our days of joy [in each other] thus be prolonged. Last year, after the summer had commenced, he suddenly felt himself indisposed, though his bodily strength had been somewhat impaired, and the important duties con- nected with [the demise of] the Empress Dowager, and his grief and anxiety, aggravated his weakness and disease, so that his vigor and constitution were greatly enfeebled. To-day, at six o'clock a. M., he called in the Chief Control- ler of the Imperial Kindred, the great ministers of the Presence, the members of the General Council, and high officers of the Palace, and taking the vermilion pencil in his hand ordained who should be regarded as the Imperial heir apparent. His sacred instructions were very minute, urging upon them in the most im- pressive manner to regard the interests of the country.

We received this decree in anguish and tears, lamenting it in fear and dread, for we still hoped that by the utmost and constant care of his affectionate person, and a temporary cessation from his burdensome cares, that he would longer