Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 610

563

Journal of Occurrences.

old, under the statute, with strangulation summarily, or strangulation after detention in prison, or transportation to greater or less distances, or flogging with the heavier bamboo;

the law admits of no leniency. But if any guilty persons shall come to the authorities and declare themselves to be penitent, and shall walk over the crucifix, the penalty shall in each case be mitigated one degree. The laws of the state are of a stern severity, but it has ever been their wont to allow men to repent of their errors. If therefore there be any among you, simple people, who have been led astray or excit- ed as aforesaid, lose no time in waking up, and by coming forward save yourselves from falling into the meshes of the law; but you who, regarding [this command] with an unfriendly eye, continue to indulge in your own liking, it will assuredly be my duty to seize forthwith and bring to trial and punishment, as a warning to the doltish ́and perverse. Families of literary fragrance, and those whose members are in office, or descended from officials, must at once draw up rules to be displayed in their ances- torial temples, and publicly and conjointly expel from their tribe all sons or brothers who may have adopted this creed, as persons who have of their own accord broken communion with their kindred, past and present; and they must, as occasion shall re- quire, report them to the authorities, that they may be subjected to judicial investi- gation; to the rectifying of the natural relations. In the village jurisdictions, the head- boroughs and inhabitants must be prompt to detect and to make inquiry; and if there be any members (of a society) engaged in propagating this doctrine, they must not leave them to entice or excite our population, but must immediately inform against them to their superiors, and assist in their apprehension; lest they be involved in their crimina lity. By these means the hearts of men will be daily rectified, and the laws more so- lemnly observed. It is my earnest desire that this should be. Let every one tremble and obey. Let none resist. A special proclamation.—China Mail, No. 296.

Six pái-fáng, or honorary portals, are now erecting in and around Canton to commemorate the victory over the English in April, 1849, and the elevation of Su to the peerage for keeping them out of the provincial city. One is in Honáin suburb, three are inside of the city, one is near the southern, and the sixth near the eastern gate. They are all made of stone, and built on the usual plan of these structures, a large gateway in the middle, and a smaller one in each side. Small roofs project over the top and side gates, more for ornament than use. The edict given in our last volume, page 250, conferring honors on the provincial autho- rities, is engraved in intaglio on the fricze over the main entrance, and on the lintel below it is the inscription Yih tái sih yung "Reverently

翊戴錫榮

to commemorate glory conferred." The names of every village and neighborhood which contributed its quota of braves, are inserted in the frieze over the side doors. The total force enumerated on the six portals, as having been drafted to resist the English if they attempted to enter the city, is 89,598. The total ex- pense of their erection is about 6,000 taels, which has been defrayed by the provincial treasury.

The insurgents in this province gained a victory over the imperialists during the month, having decuyed a detachment into a defile in the hills between Tsingyuen and Yingteh, and cut the entire body of 200 to pieces. The insur- gents seem however, to be retiring, or acting on the defensive. They issued a proclaination of their intentions when they first appeared from which it is ap parent that nothing beneficial can be expected if they should succeed :-

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"The present dynasty are only Manchus, people of a small nation, but the power of their troops enabled them to usurp possession of China, and take its revenues, from which it is plain that any one may get money from China if they are only powerful in warfare. There is therefore no difference between our taking inoney from the villages, and the local authorities taking the re- venues. Whoever can take keeps. Why then are troops causelessly sent against us? It is most unjust! The Manchus get the revenues of the eigh- teen provinces (China Proper) and appoint officers who oppress the people, and why should we, natives of China, be excluded from levying money? The universal sovereignty does not belong to any particular individual; and a dynasty of a hundred generations of Emperors has not been seen. All depends, therefore, on obtaining the possession.”

Lin Tschst has been commissioned by his young master, to proceed from his home at Fuhchau to Kwangsí, in order to concert measures with the authori- ties to repress the troubles there and quell the insurgents.