Shih Nien-tsu, Governor of Kuangsi, reports upon the successful crushing of a band of outlaws and the slaughter of their leader and his lieutenants and prays that rewards be granted to the officer chiefly instrumental in effecting it. In the city of Szechoucheng, department of Hsilungchou, Ku-ngsi, 'a certain Hoi San-fu at the head of a band of outlaws occupied some impregnable fortresses in that vicinity and for maw years successfully defied all efforts to dislodge him and his band. For a number of years Hsii and his band terrorised the countryside and trade was almost at a standstill on account of his flagrant depredations far and near. Recently, the new prefect of Szechoucheng, Wang Fang-tien, having taken over his seals of office determined to attack the out law in his fortresses and accordingly after consulting with the local military authorities, mide his plans to effect his object. With a strong force of soldiers, local militia, and volunteers the said prefect managed, after repeated attempts coupled with severe fighting, to surprise thedesperadoes in their principal stronghold in the hills, in consequence of which Hoi San-fu, his son Hsit Ma-liu, his grmdson Bsit' Hsino-yang, several lieutenants, and a large number of their following wereslaughtered. A much larger number of the desperadoes were captured alive together with an immense collection of muskets, spears, swords, ammunition, ete. We are pleased to commend this energy and ability of the prefect Wang tang-tien, in that he was able to kill a; desperate outlaw, his son, grandson, and Hliewtenants, crush their band and level their stronghold within ten days, although these men had been terrorizing the country side for years and had, as it were, taken root inthe place. We therefore, hereby permit the ssid. Governor to. send us his recommendation as to what reward the said prefect deserves in order to inspire eaulation in others similarly situated.
20th July.
No papers of interest.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.