The following circular, referred to in our Ni ningpo correspondence, was sent round by
vailing uneasiness at that port. Our cor-Consul, in consequence of the pre-responses explains the action that has been late, for general information, the annexed {The undersigned deems it right to cre translation of an official communication in reply, received from H. E. the Tavtai, relative to the existing state of political feeling at this port, in connection with the recent outrages at Tientsin.
The undersigned has always found H. E., in ordinary times, prompt to afford early aid in preventing popular outbreaks or demonstrations; and in the present mei has no reason to doubt that the local officials are doing all they can to maintain peace and good order at the port.
Inconsequence, however, of certain threatening rumours, which obtained considerable credence among' the fozoign and native communities last week, tiv. undersigned deemed it advisable to apply to H. M.'s Senior Naval Officer at Shanghai, for the services of a gunboat; and that officer promptly despatched H. M.'s gunboat ' Leven," to aid, by her presence, in the prevention of any contemplated outbreak, and to render the requisite assistance in the preservation of life and property, in the event of such being actually endangered.
During the stay of H. M.'s min boat, and with the assurance of the asserted intention of the local authorities to do their duty, the undersigned sees no reason to anticipate, at present, any interruption to the public tranquillity at this port, either within or without the city.
The undersigned also deems it right to
Major Watson, the officers commanding the just tribute to Colonel Cooke and disciplined force garrisoning the city. Since the receipt of the sad intelligence from the North, he has been fortified by their assurances that they would do their utmost for the protection of the lives and property of foreigners, both in the city and the settlement, sv far as their control over the force they command extended.
So long as there is a Senior Naval Officer at the port, the duty of devising the best means for the protection of life and pro} ty necessarily devolves on him; and he would, as matter of course, give the earliest information to those concerned, as to the course he proposed to adopt, when he had acquainted himself with the nature and the quarter from which danger was to be apprehended.
The undersigned, however, deems it requisite to remind the foreign residents that they are not to rely upon the continual presence of a man-of-war, even in the present unsettled state of affairs. Moreover, the undersigned is aware that some mem~ ers of the community do not even concur with him that a gunboat, and the friendly assurances of the local authorities are adequate guarantees for the continuance of tranquillity; and he deems it his duty, under these circumstances, to suggest to those concerned the desirability of their consulting together, with the view of devising some plan for mutual protection, in the event of the gunboat having to be withdrawn, The undersigned would submit two courses which are undoubtedly open to the community to adopt.
Ist.—The formation of a Municipal Council and police, similar to that called into existence by the occupation of the city by the Rebels, in 1862.
2nd.—'The formation of a Vigilance Committee, from which to furnish help to the existing small police force, in patrolling the streets at night, and for the collection of such early information, of a reliable nature, as might enable the Foreign Consuls to take the earliest steps to prevent any contemplated rupture to the public tranquillity.
With the view of forwarding the above suggestions, or for the consideration of any others, the undersigned will have mu pleasure in consulting with his colleagues, as to the best means of giving them effect if desired to do 30."
W. H. Firtock, LIB. M.'s Consul.
Ningpo, 20th July, 1870.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.