Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 721

1850.

Journal of Occurrences.

679

July 2d. An imperial decree relating to the visit of the Str. Reynard to the Pei ho is issued :--

"We have had the honor to receive the following Imperial decree. Officers of the establishment of this realm have each of them a particular sphere of duty; [on matters beyond it] they have no power to speak, as it is highly irregular; nor may they move therein, for it produces confusion. It was from the liberality of this Government, and from the extreme inclination of His Majesty the late Emperor to love his people and to foster the stranger, the permission to trule was accorded to these barbarians; and they should have shown the fervor of their tranquillity. In coming therefore as they have now done, to Tientsin, and openly transinitting letters to ministers of the Cabinet, they have been guilty of extreme disrespect and irregularity, and We command that no answer be returned to them, and that the whole occurrence be left unnoticed, as if it had never taken place. And seeing that if it be noised abroad, memorials will be sent up ex- press from all the places passed by the barbarians, and [messengers from] Kwangtung, Fulkien, Chehkiang, Kiangsú, Shantung, Tientsin, and all the coast line will be fainting on the road,—much against the dignity (of the state); and as it is moreover said in thể Record of Observances, that public servants have no intercourse with foreigners, it would be for these reasons still less proper that the Cabinet ministers in question should open the way to disrespectful courses by acknowledging the letter. As Sa Kwangtsin, the Governor-general of the Two Kwang, manages matters satisfactorily, and is thorough- ly acquainted with the devilish malice of the hearts of these barbarians, and as Kwang- tung is withal the natural channel of their (communications), We command that all business of these barbarians be henceforward referred to Sa Kwangtain for administration, and that none of the Governor-generals or Governors along the coast be so irregular as to speak of the same, or so disorderly as to meddle with it; and We command that this law be made public as one to be observed for ever. Respect this!"—China Mail,

6th. H. E. the governor of Macao dies of cholera. See

page 404. 8th. The roof of Trinity church at Shanghái fell in during the night.— See page 464.

17th. H. E. Gov. Bonham and suite return from their visit to Shanghái in the "Reynard." See page 403.

30th. A gale of some severity is felt along the coast at the embouchure of the Pearl river.

The Nanhai hien tells the people that only the gentry and literati are authorized to give information against robbers, and warns any who shall wreak their vengenance upon any, under pretense that they are in the exercise of such a duty, that they shall be most severely dealt with.

Their Excellencies, the gov.-general and füynen, issue an "affectionate" proclamation to all pirates who had not tendered their submission "to wash their hearts and flay their faces, to show respectful obedience to the laws, and pursue their avocations in peace."

August. Bodies of banditti, which have been troublesome in Kwangsi, begin to make head against the authorities, and also to come into the western departments of Kwangtung.-See page 462.

Rewards offered by the two disirict magistrates of Canton for the appre- hension of parties concerned in the desecration of graves, an outrage recently committed on the north of the city; these miscreants, or "hill dogs" as they are called, had also been in the habit of extorting money from funerals.

Aug. 8th. The prefect of Kiáying chau issues a remarkable document against Christianity.-See page 566.

Rev. Mr. Le Turdu seized by the prefect of Kiaying chau in this province, and imprisoned; he was soon after sent to Canton and liberated.

Sept. At the end of this month, the sickness in the British troops at Hong- kong, which had carried off in all 120 soldiers during 5 months, had nearly disappeared.

10th. An ordinance passed by the government of Hongkong to enable the Trustees of the Church to raise a sum of money not exceeding $2000.

Sept. 29th. The English brig Good Success, manned by Chinese sailors, while at anchor in the harbor of Tai-ho to the southwest of Macao, refitting and procuring water, was boarded by pirates and robbed to the extent of $12,000; the local officer offered the supercargo, also a Chinese, $70, if he