A decree based on a report from Ch'ang Shun, Military Governor of Kirin, who was ordered to investigate certain charges of embezzlement of public funds. brought by the censor Te Yin against Yi Tai-lin and other gentry of Petune, in the Manchurian province of Kirin, The Governor reports that he has failed to discover any evidence of the malpractices alleged to have occurred in connection with the issue of charitable dif, with which indeed the accused Yii in had nothing whatever todo. He finds, however, that the sub-prefect I' Pei-chang and nine others have been guilty of embezzlement of public funds and various other malpractices, the conduct of a certain Yii Chung-lin being specially disgraceful, his position as a compiler of the Hanlin, These individuals are one and all to be cashiered forthwith, the "Literary Club" and " Ancestral Hall" founded by them being likewise instantly abolished. Rigorous measures are to be taken to suppress all abuses of the kind committed by members of the gentry class under pretext of having a hand in matters of pul concern; and should any further instances be brought to light the Governor of Kirin will denounce the perpetrators for punishment. With reference to his postscript memorial stating that Yi Chung-lin is the owner of a number of money shops, the cash notes issued by which are constantly refused payment under one pretext or another, His Majesty commands that all such notes issued by Yi Chung-lin's establishment are to be withdrawn from circulation within six months under penalty of the severest punishment. In all other respects action is to be taken as proposed by the Governor.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.