48
On the 19th (30th March) a meeting was held in the meeting-house at Ün Long at which the elders from the five districts were present. A very heated dis- cussion took place, but the writer and NG K'I-CH'EUNG never said a word,
On the 21st (1st April) the gentry of Sheung U division went to Un Long and agreed to join the general movement.
All the
On the 22nd (2nd April) in the early morning the writer went home. gentry deliberated until the afternoon but without having arrived at any definite decision.
Unfortunately the incident of the burning of the matshed at Tái pó by some- drunken men occurred. MAN CHAM-TS'ÜN wrote applying for help. Ha Ts'ün alone replied to the call.
TANG TSING-SZ went in person to my house. On the one hand he moved me by appealing to justice, and on the other hand he worked on my fears by dwelling upon the calamities that would overtake me hereafter. My ancestors having been occupiers of the soil for generations, how could I bear this change? Moreover, I was afraid that the laws and customs of the West and China not being the same many difficulties would arise, and false reports were also spread that cattle and swine would be taxed; that women would be violated; that fishing and wood cutting would be prohibited. The writer was misled by these rumours, which he believed. Another deliberation was held and the matter was finally settled. TANG A- TUNG, of Wang Toi Shun, of the Påt Heung district, proposed that a reward should be issued for the arrest of traitors. I strenuously tried to prevent this; but I was not present at the meeting.
I have always avoided trouble and looked after my own affairs.
But having seen what I thought was the right course to adopt, I boldly fol- lowed it, and many followed my example.
Further, being a graduate of many years' standing my name appears in the correspondence which has taken place, though the matter in question did not pass through my hands.
The trouble having once begun it was impossible to stop it, and being cöerced by the majority the gentry became powerless. Fighting began and ended in a disastrous defeat on the 8th (17th April).
On the 9th (18th April) I came to the camp at Sheung Ts'ün to yield sub- mission when I was treated with clemency far beyond my deserts.
Unfortunately, the men from the Ping Shán and Ha Ts'ün districts again made resistance (18th April). I did all I could to dissuade them, but not only did they refuse to follow my advice but they abused me and called me a traitor.
This is a true statement of the facts from beginning to end.
IIL (A.)
(Sd.)
TANG KOK-LAM.
( Letter handed over by Ng K'i-ch'eung.)
Now that the English barbarians are about to cross our borders and take possession of our territory, the inhabitants of the various districts are filled with public indignation and are anxious to find a means of defending themselves.
We would therefore trouble you to prepare a place to-morrow for receiving our friends and relatious from the different villages so that we may discuss mat- ters with a view to our future security. Please do not delay. We are waiting with anxiety.
Hoping you are well,
To our dear friend,
SHING CHI,
[Another name for NG KI-CHE UNG].
Dated 2nd Moon, 18th day (29th March).
Seal
of
善積
TANG CHÁK-SHIN.
TANG I-YAU.
TANG CHÁK-SHIN.
TANG FONG-HING.
TANG CHIK-TING.
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