peemacial of Pairs Governor of in, reporting a disturbance caused by the members of an affiliated society in the neighbourhood of Siang-tan, and announcing the steps taken for the suppression, not only of the insurgents now in arms, but also of those still lying in ambush. Looking upwards, he prays the sacred glance may rest on this his memorial, reverently prepared, and forwarded by flying post.
Your slave has to remark that, whilst the natives of Hunan have been styled simple-minded, yet Tseng-kwoh-fan, and other military authorities who were in the campaign against the Taiping rebels, found that they possessed soldierly qualities they being patient under fatigue, and haying some amount of courage. It was found that the levies raised improved under military training; that they came to look upon fighting 2s child's play; and thet, ing all natives of one province, a strong spirit of freemasonry existed in their different camps. On being disbanded, they returned with ill grace to agricultural pursuits, and the greater part of them became inbers of a society started under the of "Ko-te-wei" (society of brothers), which had for its object combined action and support in cases of emergency.
Previous to their being disbanded, disaffection existed amongst the troops commanded by Paon-chaou, Kaou-loew-sheng, Lew-sung-shan and others; and though force was employed, and quiet restored, yet many ringleaders escaped home, whence they have been watching their opportunity to raise disturbances.
Outbreaks have therefore been of constant occurrence, and in the 4th moon of the present year, your slave reported the steps taken in connection with the troubles ang-hsiang, Lew-yang and the neighbourhood.
The seeds of sedition being sown far and wide, and floods having prevailed during the last two seasons, causing the price of rice to be doubled, your slave fully anticipated that the disaffected would avail of the opportunity to rise and plunder.
On receipt therefore of information from the district magistrate of Siang-tan, to the effect, that members of an affiliated society were gathering in the southern district of Chao-ting, and that flags and banners wore being prepared," your slave forthwith appointed a force' of' militia to assist the district magistrate, Koh-che-ping, in restoring order. 'The result was the capture of a leader named Ho-teng-yun and others, who, however, were nearly Tescued by their brethren in' arms, and who had to be sent by water route to the district city. The further operations of Koh-che-ping were unsuccessful; he was outnumbered, and himself wounded so severely that he died.
Chao-ting was then looted, part of the magistrate's office was burt down, and the' rebels spread through the districts of Hwang-moon-shan, Man-luh-kow and Chaon-ling, establishing their head-quarters at Lien-hwa-chai, which is in the neighbourhood, between Siang-bhang, Yew-hsien and Hong-shan. Hence a body of them marched on Hwa-she and Pai-kwo in the Hong-shan neighbourhood, and adjacent to Siang-hsiang; to act against whom, the magistrate of the last named district has now made s requisition for troops.
On receipt of the alarming news from Chao-ting, your slave appointed General Vu-kao-sheng. of the Jui-few brigade, to advance on Hwang-moon; Colonel Lew-wan-tsun of the Chang-sha garrison, and Captain Hwang-teh of the naval brigade acting in support.
This disposition having been made, information was received through spies that the insurgents had pushed on to the westward of Sinng-tan by way of Luh-kow, and that General Vu-kao-sheng, having marched in a southerly direction, was unable to operate against them. At this juncture, expectant Taou-tai Li-kwang linon arrived from the Kweichow province with a req: sition for military supplies, and he was at once placed at the head of 1000 men and ordered to advance on Luh-kow.
Despatches have subsequently been ceived from Vu-kao-sheng, Li-kwan; Tiaou and Lew-wan-tsin announcing suecessful engagements, attended with the capture of prisoners, horses and flags &e., at several places, and adding that the prospect of affairs looks more promising. They report, however, that the rebel stronghold at Feng-hwang-shan cannot be attacked forthwith, owing to their being unable to join forces; they further mention that Dands of ordinary robbers are making the best of their opportunity, and robbing and plundering at a distance of some 10 li in advance of the insurgents. Until a well matured plan of attack be arranged for, they consider that there is little chance of utterly exterminating the pests.
Your slave has to note, that the forces only some 2,000 strong, it is not to be sup-under Li-kwang-hoon and the others being
posed that they can act against the insurgents—who are now distributed through a Targe tract of country—with such a degree of success as will secure complete tranquility.
Allarger and more efficient force being requisite, your slave hus conferred with His Excellency Tseny-kwo-tseuen, late Governor of Hupeh, who has been ona visit to the provincial capital, and has arranged with him for the raising of an adequate corps, to be officered by picked members of his Excellency's former command.
In the event of the force thus to be raised being required for active service, it is your slave's intention to request H. E. Tseng to assume supreme command, and it is thus hoped that the rebellion may be completely rooted out, and that your Majesty's anxiety for the welfare of the State may be allayed.
'The sub-magistrate Koh-che-ping having lost his life in battle, your slave prays that the proper Board be' directed to take his case into consideration, and award such posthumous honours as shall tend to console his departed loyal spirit. The above particulars anent the present state of affairs in the Siangtan district, and explanatory of the means proposed for the restoration of peace and order, are, as before stated, forwarded by flying post, and the instructions of your Majesties are awaited.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.