Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/120

94 the remaining forces, was unsuccessful, and the officer at its head unfortunately cut off by the enemy. After these effects of his negligence and timidity, al; that remained in his power was to defend and secure the banks of the Tungho. The rebels having effected a passage across the Kia-lin-kiang, had laid the way open for thier march to the capital of the province, and which they might at that time have easily reached, had they not fortunately been diverted from that object by the approaching birth-day of one of their leaders, which they resolved to celebrate with great festivity.

It was also a fortunate circumstance at this juncture, that we had issues orders to the general Te-lin-tay to pass over with his army from Shensy to Se-chuen, to assist in the defence of the latter province.—Te-lin-tay lost no time in obeying our commands, and a succession of victories, as well as the capture of two of the most considerable rebel leaders, Tsay-tien-tay and Ly-pin, were the consequence of his entry into the province of Se-chuen. The former neglect and misconduct of Quay-lung was very unpardonable, but might in some measure have been retrieved by an able defence of the river Tungho; for the rebels must inevitably have surrendered, has their progress been opposed from that quarter while they were driven forward by the army of Te-lin-tay on the other.

Considering also the services formerly rendered by Quay-lung, we did not entirely disgrace him on this occasion, but merely changed his rank from the first to the third degree, and left him in possession of his office, and spared him and further examination of his conduct: giving him notice, however, that on the activity and diligence with which he should defend the banks of the Tungho, his life and fortune must ultimately depend.

Notwithstanding all these circumstances, we now receive accounts of the rebel having reached the city of Tay-pin, and possessed themselves of the distruct of Vang-chu-tray, in consequence of their having effected the passage of the river Tungho, above-mentioned.

From this grievous intelligence, we were somewhat relieved by satisfactory accounts from the general Te-lin-tay who, having night and day exerted his utmost endeavours in our service, has, since his entry into the province, taken above 1300 prisoners, put an equal number to the sword, and liberated above 20,000 of the country people from the oppression of the rebels. Four considerable stations of the rebels surrendered to his army: so that we may now look forward with confidence to a speedy restoration of peace in that province. But since that, Quay-lung, by his unparalleled remissness and neglect, suffered the rebels in the first place to gain a passage across the Kian-lin-Kiang, and afterward across the Tungho, whereby the damage and injury which arose to the people, was like poison infused in their tea; and to leave it unpunished or unrevenged, would be a manifest violation of public justice.

We direct that Quay-lung be divested of all dignities and employments whatsoever; that Le-pao shall be substituted as the temporary viceroy of Se-chuan, and who shall examine into the offence of