Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 436

398

Topography of Sz'chuen.

JULY,

XIV.—XVIII. The inferior ting departments of Shihchú, Tái- ping, Sungpwán, Tsah-kuh and Muukung, have all been erected into separate jurisdictions in order to exercise a better control over the growing population. The first named is situated south of the Yáng- tsz' on the borders of Húpeh, north of Yúyáng chau. The second formerly belonged to Kweichau fú, and lies on the borders of Shensí in a mountainous and sparsely settled region. Sungpwán ting once belonged to Lungngán fú, and is important only as a military post, having control over an immense tract in the northwest of the province ; the town lies on the R. Mien, not far from Lungngán fú. Tsáhkuh is south of it on the same river, and its officers superintend a large num- ber of forts and native towns, scattered over the regions on the base of the Peh-ling. The last, Miukung, lies south of the preceding, and the town nearly west of the provincial capital, and exercises sway over the aborigines to the frontier. These three last are all unimportant towns, except as garrisons. Their climate and productions resemble that of the adjacent prefectures on the east, but of the number and condition of the inhabitants very little is known.

Maukung ting comprises the country formerly occupied by the petty kingdoms of Great and Little Kinchuen, so called by the Chi- nese from two streams running through them. The conquest of these Miáutsz' by Akwei in 1775 is described by Amiot in the Mémoires, tom. III, page 387, &c., and from the Chinese account there given it is plain that the inhabitants fought for their lives. The Manchu general learned that the sterility which reigned on the mountains, the steep rocks and frightful precipices met at every turn, the deep gorges and dense forests, and absence of roads, rendered them inaccessible to all besides the natives, and that an invading army must be divided into small detachments, and carry everything itself. Urged on by his master, he made the attack, and by his skill and bravery overcame every natural and human obstacle. The mountaineers bravely held every pass; even the women armed themselves; they rolled down stones on the Manchus, and destroyed them by guns placed in ambush, as well as ʊpen attack, but all their resistance was unavailing, and Sonoın, the king, capitulated on the promise by Kienlung of sparing his life if he surrendered, but the royal autocrat murdered him and his family at Peking in the presence of the army. The aborigines were nearly exterminated, and Chinese settlers were brought in to occupy the land with such rapidity that in 1778, several towns had been built, and the whole region quieted