Board of War, with reference to the war betw France and Annam and the importance of the defences of Kuangtung, to which place in obedience to the Imperial Commands the Memorialist has proceeded, in order to act conjointly with others.
The Memorialiat therefore in answer the Imperial Decree reverentially presents to the Throne a Digest of the deliberations of the Buard, embodying also information of the time appointed for his setting out, with regard to which he prays the Throne to conoider the matter.
The Memorialist on the Gth day of the 9th moon received from the Chitu Chi Ta Oh'én i.e. Grand Council, the Secret Decree ated the 23rd day of the 8th moon in the Oth year of Kuang Hoi, relating to the war between France and Anam, that "the French after having attacked and taken the Forts on the river near Shun Hua ie Hué, hind perforce made a Treaty, cent ing'Thicteen Articles, with the Annamites,—whence the gravity of the situation of that Kingdom; that Mons. Tricon, the French messenger, hada the present moment arrived at Tientsin, having come by a gunboat; and that a large fleet of ships of war had arrived at Canton for the purpose, it is said, of investigating matters there. Such being the juoportauce of the state of affairs, it ie required that plans should be consulted upon with regard to them. The Northern and Southern Coast Defences are both of extreme importance; hence i that great energy should be for! ig to conduct them properly, so that by being prepared no harm may come when the time (for fighting) arri The number of soldiers in Kuangt i defences, on the whol the reasons stated above therefore ordered to take with lim certain able generals of the old regime, and consult with them about enlisting and calling for soldiers for the army; and, having so done, to haste with all speed' with them to Kuangtung, where he is to act in conjunction with Chang Shu-sheng and Yi K*uan, in all matters relating to the affair in ques: tion."—The Memorialist, on receipt of th: Decree, immediately started upon his duties, nor did he at all make any delay. The Southern Coast Defences have been completed by Tso Tsung-tang, whose maps and plans the Memorialist lias soon and understood, showing that, such as they are, proper caro has been exercised. Ihe defences of the Yang-tsz Kiang also have completed by ''so Taung-tang. Li mot has the command of all the 3 he has. exercised great insomuch that sast appearance of I or lack of earnestness. With ref to the Northern Cuast defences, Li Hun, chang has alr wmorialized about then im obedience to a Decree dated the 19th day of the present month, to the effect that "Wa ta chen had memorialized from Kirin that the Lien Fang Chin, or guards composed of 3,000 picked men from the people and army, were realy and awaiting orders, &e. The Memorialist therefore recommended that these men be conveyed by sen to Tientsin and there await further orders portation, Luoking at the present t, how very important matters are, Memorialist, in all matters relating hould exerci Guisite for the occa Feespect thin."
on the general preparation
Pho Memorialist by dint of study had come tolerably acquainted with military tactics; from the beginning of the reign of up to the present time, some teus of years have elapsed, and by Grace of the Throne, he has attained to present rank. Now this year, the Memorialist had the intention still of continuing control of the defences of the river and sea 3 but owing to the recurren tot Loss of bland, returned - to the Memorialist, not neglect his duties, therefore did memorialize with great row and bitterness on the 18th day of Sth moon, praying the Throne to make wat open for appointment and also to him to retire from it for Uke purpose of attending to his sickness, so that when healed he might again devote to his country. Before the Res Memorial had arrived comes thi the defence of Kuangtung, a vital importance, indeed a' matter which the times show to be of great difficulty. The Throne, pitying the private trouble of the Memorialist, did afterwards sanction his memorial that his post should be made open for appointment and that he might also retire from his post of Admiral of the Yangteze; but upon news reaching him of the great matter under discussion,' the Mem it would not dare to retire on account of his sickness, but has determined in spite of it to place his budy at the disposal of his country, so that the Throne need not look to another person for the performance of his duties, and that there might be no delay, in coming and going, to the neglect of the matter in hand.
Now with reference to the fighting between the French Barbacians and the Anamites, the Memorialist says that they (the French) frst thought they would be able to beat them as easily as spitting upon their hands, From' beating the Annamites the next thing will be the country with Liu Jung-fa fu being beaten, which.can be clearly foreseen, at the present moment, and which may be likened to a g¢ breaking his horns against a wall, French will then be looking for an opening in Kuangtung. Now why should these Barbarians, forgetful of reverence, thus act towards our Sacred Dynasty, whose bone: valence and justice is so complete? This spirit must be innate in the minds of men outside the Empire, to attempt daily to browbeat and harass; and, getting possossion of one inch, to scheme after a hole foot. Hence all who have breath them, with hair on end and eyelash bristling are determined to fight sword hand to avenge the wrongs of their country. At this day the minds of all men are bent upon the idea of fighting, a0 that, if we still give way [to the French], what honour is there left to our Empire? Old generals will by scarcer as the days go by, and it is to be feared that the people will not know what a soldier soldier know what a weapon of Leaders and Generals will think of nothing but luxury and getting rich, and therefore be even more ignorant of war; what will then be the result? Those who have the of their country at heart, keep of this in the depths of the night until it seems as if a knife was being strack into their backs. Those who know the hearts of the people, know that the Heaven-born instinct to fight is within them, s0 even if there be a scarcity of regular troops there is no lack of voluntoora who may be utilized. There is no alternative but to fight, and if we take the matter as it is, not even Chu-ko Lion, of the Han Dynasty, wore he resurrected from the dead, would dare to say that victory was sure for us. If we go to war, people with one mind will be as strong ly-walls; men will be able to conquer wen, and Fi lit to vat numbers. we have fear of the beginning and of the end, all will be lost, and what, will be the result? The Memorialist's virtue is small, his ability is little, hw dues not know much about soldiers, especially the movements of armies; but he las commanded naval forces for more than thirty years in which he acted upon his own plans when fighting 5 nor in doing so did he seek for office, oF money, or life, in the performance of hi duties, but, depended entirely upon the the Empere manded for the last twenty odd years the forces of five provinces; he therefore hua only naval men and is only acquainted with naval tactics, he pretends to know nothing of military affairs—nor has he mili tory men. If there be occurrences on water, the coast defence is most important, The Memorialist while in command of the naval forces in the Yangteze did his best; he does not wish for a land appoint= ment. 8, ranks of the army, he might make seleotions just the opposite of what might be requited, 80 that not only would there be no advantage gained, but possibly much hart. Tiis is because the Memorialiat has had no experience on land; he is not like Chiao, who has under him veteran soldiers and generals. Moreover, Pao' Ch'ao, in answer to a Decree, occupied two to three mouths in recruiting his army. The Memorialist is poor; from whence then can he gat money to pay for arms and provisions? he try to obtain them from other places, he must at least provide for 20 to 30 regiment {about 10,000 to 16,000 men); and even then it will take him many mouths to everything ready, for to-lead undrilled troops to battle will be like leading shop-Keepers and tradesmen, Moreover the digs
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.