(2) Since the opening of treaty ports to foreign trade there have been large numbers of our Chinese subjects who have gone abroad to trade, but who, although absent from their native land, are still imbued with the love of country and have not forgot. ten their ancestral land. This loyalty and patriotism is, indeed, highly commendable. Ina former decree we enjoined upon the Viceroys and Governors of our maritime provinces to take all returned emigrants from abroad under their special protection, defend and protect these men from the extortion and cruel treatment of the likin and other Customs stations en route, og well as from local rowdies and bullies who might have been attracted by the wealth of thuse returned from foreign countries. But in our anxiety for the welfare of all our subjects and especially for those who are so-mourning on a foreign soil, as merchants, traders, etc., we hereby command our Ministers accredited to various countries to be alert and on the watch to give every help and protection that may he needed by Chinese abroad, as we ourself would protect and help them, 14th October.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.