Lu Ch'uan-lin, Viceroy of Szechuan, reports that during the year 1896, there were 3,463 baggage ponies "attached to the various regiments of the province and 763 ponies doing duty in. carrying the Imperial Government despatches in the said province.
All the ponies named herein were found to be good condition upon inspection by trustworthy deputies of the memorialist and this report is sent to the Throne in nccordaee with the Imperial commands present an annual report of the sate in order that the various courier services, ete., be Kept in proper order and up 'o the m-rk.—Rescript: Noted; let the Board of War also take note.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.