''T'an Chung-lin, Governor-General of the Min-Che provinces, states that in accordance with the decree of the 15th May lust received by him through the Grand Council, he made the necessary enquiries into the characters and conduct of Tung chi, Prefect of Shaowufu and Yen Liang-hsun, Prefect of Funingfu, and now sives the following results and recommen-lations. Tung Yii-chi, Prefect of Shao-wuhu, is a man who looks like one who possesses some talent and ability, but unfortunately he is subject to partiality and treats his subordinates according to his likes and dislikes upon which depends whether they are right or wrong. He has no idea of decency. He often brags of his knowledge of the Western arts and sciences; but in reality there is no foundation for his boastings. Last January when Pong Siu-chin gathered a strong body of men to seize by force some criminals that were under the care of the authorities of Taininghsien which district is within the jurisdiction of the Shaowufu prefecture, in which affair some runners and soldiers were wounded, memorialist sent by express courier a despatch to the said Tung Yit-chi to go at once to TYaininghsien to invest gate and overawe the malcontents, and, if possible, to seize the ringleaders and bri them to condign punishment. Tung Yiieh'i had the presumption to delay as long as possible obeying the order of memorialist, and then finally not to go at all but sent instead the retiring Chehsien of Chiening, Tstien Teng-yuen, to do what it was his duty to do in person. Final memorialist sent the expectant Pre!
i-chin to T'aininghsien who suc-in arresting the ringleaders and winding-up the whole affair, Even then, Tuny Yit-chi endeavoured to make many excuses, in the hope of whitewashing his insubordinate conduct. The man is certainly unfit for his post and moreover failed to define matters of urgency and those that. could be delayed.—Memorialist there fore requests a decree degrading Tung Yi chi from his his rank of Prefect to that of a department magistrate of the sixth rank as a warning to others inclined to follow his example. As for the Prefect of Funingfu, Yen Liang-hsun, he is really aman of learning and erudition and withal has always displayed energy and carefulness in his duties. Although his business talents are not of the brilliant Wen Yii had by this time loosened his hold order, still he is one who has a respect for himself and so far has not been derelict in his duties. The Imperial Grace is therefore asked for in Yen Liang-hsun's case, that he may keep his present post of Pre: fect of Funingfu; but if he should at anytime evince laziness or lack of attention to his duties, the memorialist will at once report such to the Throne, asking for that official's punishment. As to the now to be vacant post of Prefect of Shaowufu memorialist requests the Imperial permission to allow him to choose a man of Prefect's rank from among the expectants of the province of Fukien to fill that post.—Rescript: Let it be as requested, and let the Board of Civil Appointments take note.
13th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.