Again, the great majority of Chinese residents on the French and English settlements are Che-chiang and Keang-si refugees who have not paid their proper taxes, and who have fled there since the great collection of the allied troops, and who carry on their business solely by their protection ; and as unless the troops are maintained the people cannot continue to enjoy security, as they are innumerable, I have proposed to divide them into three classes, the first paying five dollars, the second one dollar, the third half a dollar per head, children and women being exempted, and one collection being final.