March 15th. Ma-gan-poo presents a supplementary petition. From the time that the rebels first caused disturbance in Yunnan to the present date, the number of Literati and common people who have committed suicide in that province has been very great, As, for example, the Ken-jin 'Twan Ting-yun, who, at his native place, lived in attendance upon his mother, and whose filial piety was mani-feat to' all. The rebel Too Wan-sew endeavoured to entice him to accept office with the insurgents; but ho pleaded his aged mother as his excuse for refusing to do so, His mother, however, subsequently died, and then this rebel again presse him to join them; but he again refused on the ground that he must attend to his mother's obsequies. But, when the funeral rites were completed, he imme-lately strangled himself at' the grave; ignified manner acting in accordance with propriety. Such filial ety and determination are worthy of imitation. There were also the privileged \duate Ma Kwang-tsao, the Sew-tsao ang Ying-kwei, and Soo Vu the elder of the people, and others who, because the rebels wanted to force them to take office amongst them, took poison one after the other, and terminated their lives. All these brilliantly displayed a lofty propriety. The petitioner having examined into all these particulars, finds that they are strictly correct, and' cannot endure that such deeds should be forgotten. He considers'it to be his duty to implore the Emperor graciously to command the proper Board to take this matter into consideration, and to bestow tokens of commiseration upon the deceased. Also, to permit the placing of their tablets in the ancestral hall, and the erection of a triumphal arch to their memory, at their native place, Ta-lo-foo, in order to make known their fidelity and propriety. Besides those already mentioned, there were not afew other persons who committed suicide; but as the place where these events occurred is ata distance from the Capital, it is impossible to ascertain all the facts clearly. The petitioner therefore considers it to be his duty to pray the Emperor to order the Governor-General and the Deputy Gover-not of Yunnan to open an office for inquiry, similar to those established in oth provinees, and to make extensive inquiries as to the facts, and report; in order that all the deserving may be commiserated, to that the tender compassion of His induce others to follow their example; and may be made manifest.
1Gth.—Foo-ho presents a supplementary petition. From the time that your Majesty's slave entered upon office to the present date, my expenditure has been overwhelming as a flood, and everything has been so dear as to require the expenditure of an enormous amount of money. I draw but 80 Taels a month at present, which is not sufficient to meet my expenses. On examining the Records, I find that the Ts'au-tsan of Ti-urh-pa-lid-tae should re+ ceive yearly the sum of 1,500 Taels, Do-ducting from this the sum of 300 Taels, for the usual percentage taken from each officer's allowance, a yearly sum of 1,200 Taels remains. I'your slave dare not dice tate as to what my allowance should be, but I implore your Majesty graciously to consider whether this increased allowance may be granted or not, to enable me_adequately to meet my expenses, and to avoid getting into difficulties. I leave the matter entirely with your Majesty, when ther I may draw this increase of allowance or not: I simply considered it to be my duty to petition your Majesty on the subject.—His Majesty replies that the proper Board has been ordered to take the case into consideration, 17th.—Chen Mow-keen, President the Board of War, and member of the Imperial Council, petitions the Emperor with Tegard to the periodical inspection of the army. This 12th year of the present reign, being the proper period for reviewing the troops of the four provinces Fith-keen, Chirkeang, Kwang-tung, and Kwang. the petitioner begs His Majesty to appoint officers for that purpose is. Majesty replies that the petition is recorded, 2.) We, your Majesty's slaves Vu-k3, tion, respectfully offering certain informa-Tese-tso, and King-ling, kneel and, peti tion, praying your Majesty to take the matter into consideration.
Your slave Vu-k6, during the early part of the first month of the present year was suddenly seized with influenza, while about to discus his duties in -obedience to Imperial orders received. He did not immediately venture to pray for eave of absence, nor did he desire in the least to relax his efforts in the discharge of his duties. At present, although he has called in a doctor to cure him, yet he does not improve under medical treatment. We find, on respectful examination, that in the12th month of the 11th year of thepresent year, your Majesty granted the petition of the 'T'ae-chang-sye, and ordered your slave Vu-kd to superintend the sacrifices at the Heaou-ling tomb, on the 1st day of the second month. At' the present time, the illness of your Majesty's slave Vu-k has considerably increased, and he fears that he shall not be able to attend to his duties at the appointed time, and hence we respectfully pray Your Majesty gracie ously to grant him 20 days leave of absence. We humbly consider that the ceremonies performed at the Imperial tombs are most important, and now the season for forming them is near at hand that, if we delay to petition Your Majesty to appoint a substitute, there will not be time to arrange the matter properly. We therefore, after frequent consultations together, pray that Your Majesty's slave Tsao-tsan be sent at the appointed time to the Heaou-ling tombs, reverently to stipe-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.