Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period/Gali
GALI 噶禮 d. 1714, a Manchu of the Donggo clan belonging to the Manchu Plain Red Banner, was a great-grandson of Hohori [q. v.]. After study at government expense he was made a second-class secretary, and later a department director, in the Board of Civil Office. In 1696, when the forces of Emperor Shêng-tsu attacked Galdan [q. v.] and the Eleuths in Mongolia, Gali served under Yü Ch'êng-lung (1638–1700, q.v.) in charge of military grain transport for the middle route. After several promotions he was, three years later, made Governor of Shansi where he showed himself a diligent, clever, and able executive. He was, however, covetous, lax in control of minor officials, and oppressive towards the people. Hence after a few years much opposition developed and numerous accusations were made against him. Official investigations did not sustain these, however, and the accusers were punished. In 1709 he was transferred to the vice-presidency of the Board of Revenue, and then to the governor-generalship of Kiangnan and Kiangsi. There he showed still less restraint, attacking and deposing many officials, some of high character and ability like Ch'ên P'êng-nien [q. v.]. His conflict with Chang Po-hsing [q. v.] is famous, and resulted finally in his removal from office in 1712. In 1714 he was accused by his mother of participating with his nephew in an attempt to poison her. For this crime, and for giving rein to covetousness while in high office, the Board of Punishments judged him to be worthy of the lingering death. He committed suicide and was followed in this by his wife who had been condemned to death for otherwise making trouble for the family. His brother and nephew were beheaded. A foster son, also involved, was banished and the family property was confiscated by the state. Ka-li-êr hu-t'ung 噶禮兒胡同, a lane inside the gate, Hsüan-wu mên 宣武門 in Peking, is believed to have been the site of Gali's residence.
[1/284/4a; 2/12/26b; 11/23/33b; 京師坊巷志 Ching-shih fang-hsiang chih, 2/23a; 文獻叢編 Wên-hsien ts'ung-pien, no. 2 (Wang Hung-hsü [q. v.], 密繕小摺 Mi-shan hsiao-chê, no. 17); ibid, no. 9 清康熙硃批諭旨 Ch'ing K'ang-hsi chu-p'i yü-chih 3b–7a.]