Page:Parliamentary Papers - 1857 Sess. 2 - Volume 43.pdf/44

30 place within a given time. Recusants will be severely dealt with as traitors; all their goods and property confiscated; and such of the gentry or elders as screen them will be held equally responsible."

In accordance with the above, it became the duty of the Chief Magistrate to issue a proclamation to the effect prescribed, as also to send written instructions to the gentry and elders of the several wards to act as they were therein directed.

Fearing, however, that there may be hamlets and farms here and there to which the injunctions referred to have not penetrated, and being sincerely anxious to prevent the inhabitants thereof from falling into the net of the law, it is the duty of the magistrate now to issue a second proclamation.

He accordingly notifies to all classes, military and plebeians, that if there be any of their sons or brethren still remaining at Hong Kong, or as employés in barbarian ships or houses, they must call on them to return home within five days, and to tarry no longer. If they be not forthcoming when the Chief Magistrate makes his visit, it will be seen that they are still hanging on at Hong Kong; their houses and property will be confiscated, and, as soon as they can be arrested, they will be punished as traitors to China.

The gentry and elders (of their wards), as well as their fathers and brothers, will all be proceeded against under the law against collusion. Let the good tremble and obey.

Let them not act so as to have hereafter to repent.

A special proclamation.

Heen-fung, 7th year, 2nd moon, 1st day.(February 24, 1857.)

KEW, Acting Chief Magistrate of the Heang-shan district, &c., issues a proclamation requiring subscription to be made.

The Chief Magistrate had the honour some time since to receive the following despatch from his Excellency Yeh, guardian of the heir-apparent, Governor-General of the Two-Kwarg, &c.:

"Whereas the measures belonging to the conduct of the present barbarian question at Canton involve an enormous expenditure in respect of all the necessaries of war, as I look entirely to the subscriptions of the gentry and people for supplies, I have given instructions that the duty of subscribing be urged upon them. The district of Shun-teh has undertaken to furnish 200,000 taels, and as it appears that the districts of Heang-shan and Sin-hwung enjoy the reputation of great wealth, and contain no small number of zealous and public-spirited inhabitants, it is my duty to desire their respective magistrates to call on Heang-shan for a contribution of 100,000 taels, and on Sin-hwung for a contribution of 120,000 taels, for provision of the necessaries of war. This is, therefore, to command you (the magistrate of Heang-shan) to issue a notification forthwith, recommending the gentry and men of wealth to exert themselves in making up the sum of 100,000 taels, to be forwarded to Canton in instalments to meet the expenditure. Let there be no deficits. The urgency of the present demand for the supplies of the army considered, you must at once and earnestly exhort (the people to subscribe) to the end that all may eagerly contribute enough to make up the sum required; that it may be dispatched to the city with all speed. There must be no trifling or delay, to the hindrance of the service.

"As the lists of the subscribers' names arrive, it will be my duty to bring them to the notice of His Majesty, and request that they may be rewarded to encourage them. Let there be then no waiting and doubting, be it ever su little."

As in duty bound, on the receipt of the above, the Chief Magistrate called on the General Committee, established near the district city, to co-operate with the gentry and elders of the different subdivisions of the jurisdiction, and in