  Correspondence concerning the bastinadoing of a British subject in the village of Ching-Wang, 30 miles from Shang-Hai. 1. To the British Consul at Shang-Hai:— From Ching-Wang. Sir, I write to say as how I have been bastinadoed on both feet. My feet is swole something cruel. This was done by the Mandarin Lu-Chu. He says as how I stole his cherries, which I never done it. Please investigate. I am a British subjick, which my mother was a Chinee. Yours truly, Fu-ling Thompson. 2. To His Complacency the Mandarin Lu-Chu:— From Consul’s House, Shang-Hai. Having been informed by the half-caste Fu-Ling Thompson, a British subject, that corporal punishment had been unjustly inflicted upon him by your orders, I sent my agent to investigate the matter. He informs me that Thompson speaks the truth, and that you yourself are perfectly aware of the man’s innocence. I therefore suggest that, to avoid complications with H.M. Government, you compensate Mr. Thompson to the extent of £50 or 100,000 sens. H. Caslon, British Consul. 3. (Translation.) To the British Consul:— From Ching-Wang. Almighty Consul whose face shines like the moon. I cannot give Mr. Thompson 100,000 sens, for I am a poor man. Moreover, the cherries were stolen. It was right and fitting that someone should be bastinadoed. Lu-Chu. 4. To Lieut.-Commander Hanlon of H.M.S. Laverock:— (Per picket boat.) From Consul’s House, Shang-Hai. Dear Hanlon, The Mandarin of Ching-Wang has been up to his old tricks again—bastinadoing a British subject. I have ordered him to pay the man £50 and he refuses. I suggest that you make a demonstration. (Correspondence enclosed.) Yours, H. Caslon. 5. (By Wireless.) To Admiral Groves, China Station:— April 12. Another case of unjustified bastinadoing. Mandarin refuses compensation. What steps may I take? Hanlon, 6. (By Wireless from H.M.S. Thunderer):— Leave entirely in your hands. Use great firmness but avoid complications. Groves, 7. From H.M.S. Laverock (by letter):— April 13. To his Complacency the Mandarin Lu-Chu. In the matter of the bastinadoing of Mr. Thompson, a British subject, the case as you know has been investigated, and I am authorized to demand the immediate payment of 100,000 sens. Unless this demand is complied with before 4 o’clock, I shall be reluctantly compelled to blow your house to pieces. Hanlon, 8. To Lieut.-Commander Hanlon (translation):— Most superb Lieutenant-Commander, whose guns roar like many devils. I cannot pay Mister Thompson 100,000 sens, for I am a poor man. Moreover, I did but beat him upon the soles of his feet. Lu-Chu. 9. To the British Consul at Shang-Hai:— From H.M.S. Laverock. Dear Caslon, Lu-Chu flatly refused to pay; so, with the Admiral’s leave, I took the law into my own hands. At ten past four I stood right into the harbour and fired a large wad of cotton-waste into his cherry-trees. The old fellow was frightened out of his life, and sent the money within five minutes. Yours, J. Hanlon. |
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