Li Hung-chang lately sent the Memorialist a copy of his application for leave, and he saw in the Gazette of 8th March that he was directed to act as Superintendent of Trade. He represents that, in apito of the comparative leisure he has enjoyed during winter and the efforts of his physicians, health has not been, restored. are affected, his stomach is weak, his dig tion is impaired; his cough continues severe as formerly. Though the season spring, the cold winds are slow to cease 3 and, though he can by an effort leave his room, ho is still as worn out and weak as ever. He purposed praying for permission to retire on the expiry of his leave. His Majesty's command Jays on his worn-out servant a far heavier burden than he bore before. But, as Li Hung-chang return in three or four nionths, the rialist will endeavour to proceed to Tientsin, When Li Hung-chang returns, ho will again beseech His Majesty, in consideration of the long illness and utter prostration which render him unable to ill a provincial post, to permit him to return home. On his arrival at Tientsin he will according, to rule entrust all ordinary busittess to the Treasurer; only important matters of public interest will be forwarded to him.
April 7th (KGS, 145 14,1.) (1) A Decroo luting Yen Ching-ming a Commissioner tigation of the Yunnan accounts is retained in Peking, and Wen-pei (ALIF) is appointed Assistant Comptroller at Jehole, (8) Wei Kuang-tao is appointed Finan cial Commissioner, Kansu; Chang K'ai-sung is promoted to be Financial Commise sioner, Ssu-chuan; Tan Chi-hsin (Ae i) is appointed Judge of Kansu, and Fushan, Judge of Ssu-chuan.
(A) A Decree ordering Mei Ch'i-chao and Li Ho-nien to await the arrival of Oh'ings and Lu Fo-lin before resigning their poste, (6) Tso Teung-tang reports that his personal forces now amount to 4,100 irre. gulars, who are divided into six battalia and paid in the same way as the Hay force. These men are the most ouergetio of those of his old soldiers who have applied to be enrolled again under his command, A list of them will be sunt to the Board, and their pay will be shown in the accounts under the heading of defence of Kiangsu,—Reseript: Noted,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.