Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 563

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V.

(B.)

We e hereby inform you that 7 o'clock of the morning of the 8th, has been fixed as the date for the commencement of the battle. The armed men of your worthy district should have their early meal at the Fourth Watch and proceed at daybreak direct to Castle Peak to join battle. You need not wait for the signal drim.

To our clansmen of the Ping Shán district. Dated 16th April, 1899.

Y. (C.)

A letter to the same effect as No. V. (B) only addressed to the villagers of Sbán Ha and Hang Ha in the Ping Shán district.

Dated same as No. V. (B).

VI.

This note is to inform you that YAT HIN (Military Sau Ts'oi (Graduate) named TANG SÁM-WAI = # of ‡ Kat Hing Wai) has just been to the meeting-house and says that it is not necessary to send troops to-day and that we can delay a day or two and have a further consultation. Be careful not to make any rash movement. This is most important.

TO CHIK TING,

CHÁK TSAN

(CHÁK SHIN)

I SHEK.

From the Great Peace Meeting-house (Un Long).

VII.

Your letter received and contents noted. A strong force must be posted at Táipó in order to resist with our full force. The two posts at Castle Peak and Sha Kong should have many flags flying in order to mislead the enemy. A force of the stronger men of your district should be detached to take part in the engagement. Sixty per cent. should be retained for self-protection. If troops arrive from Ngan Tin they should all be sent to Táipó. Let there be no indecision in the matter. To these points (Castle Peak and Sha Kong) none of the enemy will ever go.

We must devote our individual attention to Táipó.

TO SING CHI (ie., NG KI-CH'EUNG).

VIII

I beg to inform you that Major FONG LEUNG-18'01, of the left wing, has received instructions from the Viceroy and Governor (at Canton) to make a special visit to your district in order to orally explain to the gentry and elders the parti- culars regarding the leased area so that they may inform the villagers in order to prevent misunderstanding. He is also bringing the Viceroy's proclamation to be posted in the villages. I am sending a special messenger to go ahead to inform

Other particulars I will tell you when we meet.

you.

I take this opportunity to send you my regards.

PS.-Please at once inform your clansinen that Major Foxg will arrive in the afternoon to prevent suspicion and anxiety.

Written from the Transmitting Order Department of the Major's Yamên at Nam T'au.

IX.

The gunboat by which I have been towed here is only General Ho's. Not a single foreigner has come in it.

All other particulars you will know fully when you see Major Foxe who will not in any way use force but will freely allow all the villagers to carry out their own settled plans.

I would also beg you, as being more satisfactory, to inform the other gentlemen beforehand.