There can be little doubt that, persistent efforts were made to arouse the country Fetters were received ly every vil people to drive the British back to Weilai, within the boundary and in many without, calling for armed help. Notice was sent to the Chinese soldiers that unless they deserted by a given time their houses would he destroyed and their friends punished, besides which their fathers and brothers would join in. the attack and perhaps be shot by their brothers and ins. Anyone comected with the foreigners would either he drowned or buried. alive. The letters were unsigned, but it is known they emanated ' from Taot'ou, where the Chinese officials were prisoners, and the Wenteng magistrate's name is freely mentioned in connection ith them. Tt ix not easy to sift the rumours. The Wenteng magistrate is spoken of as a just and" popular officer.
jo has been dismissed, it is stated, and his successor appointed." Another the is that the Taotat himself was responsi for the inflammatory letters, and this is at east as likely as the other. "But however he, events recounted in earlier let-the Taotais's responsibility for the mischief abundantly evident. He wished to curry favour with the people and with is superiors. He overreached himself, little knowing what a fire he had kindled. No doubt the Chinese counted on the British fae lity for backing down in the face of threatened trouble. Even when they found they had to deal Iveally with determined men, they probably hoped the Legation at Peking would act as sq
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.