Hung-chang reports that the following statement has been addressed to him by two of the gentry of Kiangsu, Wu Ta-cheng, late Director General of the Yellow River, and Chu I-tseng late Civil Vice-Governor of Fengt'ien: The late Ying Pao-shih Judicial Commissioner for Kiangsu was appointed in the 10th year of Hsien Feng when the Taipit overran the Soochow and Sungkiang district to superintend the organisation of the trainbands and was instrumental in recapturing the Prefectural city of Sungkiang. During the next year when Shanghai was so closely threatened he in cooperation with the gentry established the Huifangchii (Joint Defence Office) and raised money wherewith to pay the troops, The rebels at that time were in possession of Chapu, Funghsien, Chinshan, Ch'uansha, and Nan 4 hui, and Shanghai was surrounded by them on all sides. The late Provincial Judge recognising to the full the great im of Shanghai as being the centre of foreign trade, and the one point whence a revenue ed and where duty was pai the most strenuous efforts for its protection and by his masterly stroke of sending steamers to meet the troops (of Li Hung-chang) in Anhui and conveying them to Shanghai, was the main instrument in recovering possession of that region. When afterwards he acted as Taotai at Shanghai he founded a College and an Asylum for the poor, and in his capacity of Provincial Judge enjoined a ie "Chou" and "Sisica'* the stocking them with" grat wf"ARABS ARE vide against unforeseen contingencies, He further raised Tis, 200,000 for dredging the Wusung river and by all means in his power strove to prove himself worthy of his post. His eminent services call for some recognition and it is suggested that the
special shrine in his honour." gentry and People of Shanghai erect a Memorialist would add that when during the last year of Hsien Feng the Sungkiang district was in the hands of the rebels, Shanghai was the lace on which reliance could be pi was the eastern base from which he directed his troops. It is undoubtedly owing to the energetic measures taken by the officiale and gentry of that city that Kiang.
was Tecurarel. Amongst the gentry proemment is the name of Ku Wen-ping and that of Ying Pao-shih amongst the tic At the time when he proj to hire steamers to run the gauntlet of Nanking, then in possession of the rebels, and meet the (i.e. Li Hung-chang's own) troops, such a thing had never been done before and his detractors secretly threw obstacles in the way. The British Consul Chinghuat'o however supported him strongly and as he was always on good terms with foreigners he laid the critical state of things before Admiral Hope. He also got together large sums of money to enable him to charter steamers for the purpose from the foreign merchants, and Made all necessary arrangements, for the transport of troops and munitions of war. Feng Kuei-fen who was an eyewitness of all that was done has special; recorded all the services rendered by critical time in his "Hu Cheng Hi and Wan Shui Ying Shikehi. now when the people of Kiangsu look back on the past they all remember the sending to mest the troops.
Memorialist who has served with the oticer in question cannot speak too highly of his ability and does earnestly request that the mission asked for m the receding document be granted.—Granted.
the Board concerned take note.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.