9th October.
'THE WRATH OF HEAVEN TO DE APPEASED.
The recent drought and lack of rain in this portion of the Empire caused Bry earnestly and, frequently to High heaven for gentle showers to quench the thirst of the parched earth; but we regret that these prayers have been of no avail, and we are led now to think that we have incurred in some way the wrath of Heaven. "This dynasty has always considered the Welfare of its people the paramount subject of gorernment, Is Heaven then angry because the litigations of the people of the Imperial Prefecture hare not been settled, and the murmurs of the people have reached Heaven's ears? Are the officials neglectful of the people's welfare and their sufferings have therefore moved the compassion of Heaven? This may he 60, and we, therefore, command the Board of Punishments, the Commandant of the Peking Gendarmerie, the Governor of Peking, the Censors of the Five Cities of "the Cspital, and the Viceroy of Chihli, to immediately sce to it that their subordinates shall pay strict attention to the clearing up and settling of all cases of litigation now jpouding within their various. jurisdictions.
et caves that can be easily settled be finished off at once, while those that cannot be summarily settled, let the witnesses and those connected with said cases be allowed to bring forward bondsman who shall bail them and so secure their liberty. As for prisoners under sentence there officials specially' delegated to over such. These officials are commanded to pay strict attention to the welfare of their prisoners and to see to it Yhat they are not tortured and cruelly treated by the gaolers, Moreover, there is an official fund' which grants warm elothing, food, and money to the prisoners Let care be taken that these prisoners are substantially benefited by this fand and that any attempt at cheating the prisoners be severely punished. Finally, the earlier crops in the North have this year been -Plentifal, and due care should be given to tke the necessary arrangements to Gill the reserve granaries against famine, and not to wait until famine be actually at our doors and then trouble others towards the drought having all but destroyed the autumn crops this year will cause the peuple to suffer. hence they should not be forced to pay up all their taxes, but time must he given until next year for them todo 0; while to those really needing aid prompt chef should be given. Severe punishment and dismissal will be visited upon such officials as purposely fail 10 report a famine in their jurisdiction. We trust that Heaven will consider our attempt at ameliorating the condition of the masses and avert the disaster impending over them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.