31
accordance with the foregoing to speak authoritatively on the subject, and to assign to those who ought to pay their respective quotas, as it is recorded. But whereas it appears that no small number of the inhabitants of the different villages of the jurisdicton have the repute of great wealth, it behoves them, at a crisis like the present, when there is an urgent demand for the necessaries of war, possessing as they do a full sense of what is their duty before Heaven, to subscribe and bring in their subscriptions with all haste, that so they may become recipients of the Imperial bounty, to be bestowed on them in recognition of their services.
Further, the villages of Seaou-lan (Sui-lam), and Hwang-po (Wong-poo)[1] having already contributed 200,000 taels, it would not seem right to call on them again. The levy should of course be evenly laid upon the villages which have not subscribed, and quotas levied on these in even proportions till the total be made up.
It is the duty of the Chief Magistrate to lose no time in issuing a proclamation. He accordingly gives notice to the gentry and the opulent of every village in the district, requiring them, in conformity with their instructions, to come forward with subscriptions eagerly and with speed. He trusts that the quotas obtainable under the names of particular individuals,[2] with the sums undertaken by those who have landed property, or have made their fortunes by trade, will amount to the 100,000 taels required, and that this will be paid in in a succession of instalments.
The names of the subscribers, with the amounts subscribed by them, will be entered from time to time in a form, which the Chief Magistrate will forward (to the Governor-General) with a request that he will encourage the contributors by rewarding them, It is imperative that the gentry of the village committees should zealously urge on the subscriptions, themselves setting the example as subscribers. There must be no niggardly saving, as it will prejudice the public service.
If any be contumacious, the gentry of their village committee are authorized to apply privily to have them arrested and brought to trial. Let them look to it that there be no vacillation and delay. Haste! haste!
A special proclamation.
Heen-fung, 7th year, 2nd moon, 4th day. (February 27, 1857.)
No. 23.
Sir J. Bowring to the Earl of Clarendon.—(Received April 28.)
Hong Kong, March 12, 1857.
My Lord,
I HAVE the pleasure of forwarding to your Lordship a despatch, dated Shanghae, 7th instant, from Mr. Consul Robertson, reporting that the state of affairs at Canton is not likely to interrupt the public tranquillity at that port.
As regards trade, it is satisfactory to observe the enormous increase in the export of raw silk, whose value, for the present season, cannot be less than eight millions sterling.
I have, &c.
(Signed) JOHN BOWRING.
Inclosure in No. 23.
Consul Robertson to Sir J. Bowring.
Shanghae, March 7, 1857.
Sir,
I HAVE the honour to acquaint your Excellency that peace and order remain undisturbed at this port, and I see nothing as yet which leads me to believe any change will occur; my relations with the Chinese authorities continue
- ↑ Not Whampoa. That place is in the Pwan-yu district.
- ↑ Names of particular individuals; these are gentry and the like, not rich themselves, but able to subscribe something, and entrusted with the task of beating up for subscribers of small sums, which are entered in the book issued them for the purpose.
