The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-11-22
what French Heads are Worth
im China.

New Orleans Times-Democrat-]
The bombardment OF Eoo-Chow,
the destruction of the Chinese ieet
and arsenal by Admiral Courbet,
greatly exasperated the Chinese au-
tnorities, and provoked them TO set a
price on the head Of every French
officer. A proclamation TO that effect
was publicly posted up, by order OF
the four high Cantonese officials, who
dictaied it. The following is trans
iation thereof:
"For the head of commander in
chief 10000 taels iabout $l4000),
and the title OF mandarin as distin-
gnisbed by the king fisher feather.
"For the head of an officer Of
seven STRIPES 5000 taels (S4580)
and the title Of mandarin a. desig-
na.ed by the king fisher feather.
"For the head of an officer of five
stripes 1000 taels ($l426) and tue
rank Of mandarin as designated by
the peacock feather. (The peacock
feather desIgnates civil aud military
officials of tue third rank; there be-
ing nine ranks outside OF the true
nobility.)
For the head OF an officer Of three
stripes, 500 tsels, and the rank Of
mandarin as designated by The pea
cock feather.
"For every French soldier or sailor
killed, 100 taels. But let good care be
taken not 70 mistake other forsssners for
oar enemies.
"For the capture of an iron clad of
tie first class, loo. 900 taels.
''For the capture of an iron-clad of
the second class, 81, 1000 taels.
For the capture of gunboat of
the first class, 10000 taels.
"For the capture of gunboat of
the second class, 10000 taels.
''For the capture Of small ship
or boat, loo taeis.
"For the destruction of any OF the
above, baif the foregoing prices viii
be paid.
"Ibe property captured viii belong
Of right To the capturer
For every heavy cannon captured.
5000 taeIs, and the Office Of msDda-
rln. For every cannon Of smaller
proportions, proportionate rewards
will be pnid.
The author Of any plan whose ex-
ecntion shall result in defeating the
French shall receive 10000 taels.
'All the above rewards shall be
paid by tho treasurer Of the province.
"The tenth day OF The seventh
moon, and The tenth year Of Kwapg-
Su."
The rewards are high, and may
tempt the Chinese TO one of those
audacious naval enterprises for which
they used to be famous, sbonld some
french gunboat or iropclad be iso-
lated from the rest of tue feet by
accident. But this is not very likely,
us Admiral Courbet seems to be one
of the most cautions of naval COM
manders In the old days pirniicsl
iunks would successfully attack En-
ropean steamers, - Grst disabling
them by throwing lines across
channel go as to entapgle the screws
or paddles, and trusting to numbers
for the result of baud to-haDd right.
In spite OF what has been said
about the inferIorify Of Chinese arDs,
the affair at Bac lie revealed the fact
that the Chinese were armed with re-
peaiiDg rifles aud excellent reviewers.
The action brought or by the reck-
less daring Of Col Dugenpc, narrow
| ly escaped turning into a hideons
tragedy. Dugenne's column was com.
pletety surrounded, only the daring
Of Lient Bailiy, cbisf Of the military
telegraph service, saved all From de-
s'rnction. In tie dead Of night he.
with only fifteen men, managed to
slip through he Chinese lines, swim
a river. aud install an optical tele-
graph upon hill. Tie frst news of
The danger was TINS made known 10
the commander IN chief. and Gen dc
Neerier FASTENED to relieve Dugenne.
He came only jrst in time