The Viceroy of Canton reports the capture of " large number of notorious pirates and solicits rewards for the officers who specially distinguished themselves in effecting their apprehension. The coast of the Canton rovinee has, it is stated, been infested for many yeats past by bands of pirates who have formed themselves into powerful organisations and harass the country far and wide, The chief of all these societies whose number is considerably over hundred was a notorious pirate Called Tséng-luch'tian whose depredations had long been the terror of the coast. Last year his principal confederate, Tseng Ya-chieh, fell into the hands of the authorities, whereupon he organised another band and continued present Viceroy entered upon office, he as active in crime as before. When the
to suppress piracy within his jurisdiction and determined upon making a strenuous effort entered into consultation with Fang Yao, the Commander-in-Chief, with a view to devising the best means for effecting his object. The latter ascertained that Tseng Lu-vii-ch'iian and his whole following had made their way furtively into the interior and he decided upon despatching a strong force to attack them. After capturing twelve pirates, the Imperial troops came into sight of two pirate vessels one of which carried the chief Tseng-lu-vii-chian himself. A brisk fire was at one opened on both sides and the pirate chief being wounded and closely pressed was obliged to take to the Water and swim for his life. Finding escape hopeless, he stabbed himself and was arrested in a dying condition. The vessels having been boarded, 17 foreign guns and 23 containing the pirates' plans of campaign were amongst the contents of the plunder. Tséng's evidence was to the effect that as a boy he had joined the rebels in the Canton province and had subsequently taken up piracy as a profession. For nearly " quarter of a century he claimed to have been the undisputed leader of all the pirates in the Canton waters and his yearly income which, exclusive of disburse. ments, he estimated at several tens of thousands of taels, was shared in by the other members of the confederacy. He died before he could be sent to Canton, but his head was exposed to the public gaze as were also those of twelve of his followers who shared his fate. Two other parties of troops which were sent by Admiral Fang to scour the neighbourhood succeeded in capturing thirty-one pirates and three vessels. Several of the prisoners proved to be heads of pirate organisations which have been preying upon the country for years. Altogether, over 40 pirates were brought to justice and the Viceroy claims that no such Success has been achieved by the prevent service in recent years. He closes his memorial by soliciting the bestowal of special rewards as a recognition of their services on this oceasion.—Decree already published.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.