Li Hung-chang, Governor-General of the province of Chihli and member of the imperial Council, kneels and petitions in reference to the deceased Taoutae of Soo-chow, Sung-kéang and Mae-te'ang, named Woo Hou YA. This official arrived at his post during the winter of the eighth year of the Emperor Been-fung fay HY (1857), and entered upon his duties with diligence; showing compassion towards the people, all whom experienced his kindness on num-beries occasions. In the 4th month of the 10th year of the same reign, Soochow, Sung-kéang and Pao-tsang were lost, and the rebels advanced from the south-west, in vast numbers, to attack Shanghai. Fo-keen and Cantonese vagabonds, at the East and North gates, sized this opportunity to plunder and commit incendiarism. The Taou-tae, who was residing in the city at the time, exhorted the soldiers and volunteers to diligence in the discharge of their duties, and devised many expedients for the defence of the city, so that after the lapse of seven days and seven nights the rebels began to retire. During the winter of the eleventh year of the same reign, the capital city of Che-kéang province was also lo: jerebels, advancing 9 from Cha-poo, destroyed in' succession Fung-hoon, Kin-shan, Oh'uen-sha, and Nan-hwuy, so that the Hwang-poo—7fff (ice. THA) atone tay between them and Shanghai on the eastern side, while on the south-west, the rebels were within ten miles of that city. On their approach, the troops placed outside for the defence of the city ran away in disorder without firm a shot, and the affrighted merchants an: people fled in crowds, in order to avoid the approaching calamity. False reports were propagated on all sides, and during each night several alarms were given, The Foreigners Pf] A, outside the North gate however, had troops to tect themselves, which' were still available for purposes of defence. The Taou-tae, considering his own troops weak, and the enemy strong; and that if his own forces were not reliable, he certainly could not use those of the Foreigners; assembled the gentry together for consultation, and to apply they resolved in " body to Tsing Kwoh-fan HAT for reinforcements. It was stated by some that, as the forces of the enemy were numerous, and the expense of transmitting the reinforcements would be very great, this plan must be abandoned. The Taou-tae, however, remarked that since matters had come to stich a pass there was no time to consider any other plan. In the spring of the first year of the present reign, having made a calculation as to the expense, he hired foreign steamers and forwarded a despatch from the literary gentry to Gan-hwuy requesting that reinforcements might be sent down; and from the moment the sound of the approaching troops was heard, the minds of the people were set at rest, Finally, in consequence of the Taou-tae thus making a stand, by himself, in the midst of the enemy, and constantly placing himself in danger, and also killing a multitude of the rebels,' the entire district, East and West, was rescued from calamity.
Tm consequence of the hardships which the Taou-tae underwent at this time, and his neglect of either eating or sleeping, his hair became white, although ho was only 50 years of age, and he eventually died from over exertion. The petitioner prays the Emperor to grant the request of the literary gentry, and to permit them to erect a temple at Shanghai to the honour of the Taou-tae.—His Majesty grants the petition.
April 7th.—Chang-shun (f% If) petitions the Emperor with regard to the troops continually arriving at Woo-ching. It is absolutely necessary to give these soldiers presents of Tea and Tobacco -exclusive of their pay, but there are no funds available for the purpose. The petitioner therefore prays the Emperor to set apart 2,000 Taels from the military treasury to meet this necessary expenditure, The Emperor acknowledges the receipt of the petition, il 8th.—The Emperor issues an Edict to the effect that to-day a person named Chang Kéon having visited the Imperial residence at which His Majesty was making a temporary stay, the intruder is to be handed over to the Board of Punishments, in order that his conduct may be inquired into.
(2) The Emperor arrived at the palace to-day about 4 o'clock p.m.—Muh-Tung-ah (AS YE fig) returns thanks to the Emperor for gifts received from His Majesty, to offer in sacrifice at his ancoatral tombs.
Nole?-When the Prine sent Confucius & preset of undressed meat, be sed to ook ivan oder ft"in ens fice to his ancestors, Latrysy Oh 10
April 9th.—An Imperial Edict has ben issued to the following effect. The Office of Supplies petitions Us to institute an injury as to the cause of dilatoriness the official appointed to provide Camels for the Imperial party. It appears that on the
which should have been i day of the poet month, the Camels to carry the lu presses and thei, did not arrive in Proper time, On the 10th they were also late in arriving. Such. conduct is, most unseemly. fe order that both Hing-shang and Shoo-yun, the two officials appointed to attend to the luggage, be handed over to the authorities for regulating the affairs of the palace, to be dealt with. Moreover, We command the Governor of Peking to look into the accounts of the Office of Supplies, and to seo whether or not the number of the Camels is rightly stated, or whether any overcharge haa boon made for them; and if there is any thi wrong, let the delinquents, be iahod according to law. Consultation should be held, as to how ® change may be henooforth effected, and mules employed to con-Ney the luggage, in order to avoid loss of time; and We therefore further command the Office of Supplies and the Governor of Peking carefully to examine into the established custom in this respect and to ro-port." Re vt this, (2) Another Edict states as follows Ming-shen (Bj 3p) petitions that the person who has charge of the Imperial Carta may be dismissed from office, and that others implicated may be punished according to their respective deserts. The mules provided for the carts of the two Empresses on the present journey, were weak and half-starved, and perfectly useless in wet werther; and the drivers could not urge
wrong. We command that Hae-ling, the hem on quickly. All this is decidedly Superintendant of the Imperial stables, with his subordinate, Paon-tsang, be both handed over to the palace authorities for severe punishment. The petitioner, who has the general oversight of this department, has shown himself unable to correct any error arising in the management of these carts; so that those preceding the bearers of the Tiger-tailed spears were al last thrown into a state of confusion,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.