[EBREY, Patricia (ed.), Chinese Civilization, New York: The Free Press, 1993, pàgs. 319-320].

Proclames de la societat de La petita espasa, 1853

 
Proclama 1

        The Grand Marshal Huang of the Ming dynasty and the Han people, in order to safeguard the lives of the commoners and merchants, proclaims martial law:

        I have heard that Heaven and earth change their course of order: after a time of great prosperity, there must follow a period of chaos, and after a period of great turmoil, there must arise a general desire for peace.

        The Qing dynasty has been governing China for more than two hundred years.  Corruption of officials and oppression of the people clearly indicate that its mandate has come to an end. I now lead the Righteous and Benevolent Army to save the people and to punish those who have been cruel. I have ordered that my soldiers shall pillage neither the merchants nor the common people nor shall they rape women. The arrival of my armies will not cause the slightest disturbance to the people. If any soldier disobeys my orders I shall punish him in accordance with martial law, permitting no favoritism. You, the merchants and the people, should apply yourselves to your tasks and should not be frightened. I am strict in abiding by my words and enforcing my orders. You should obey them unerringly.
        10th day of the fourth month,  1853
 

Proclama 2

        Concerning the safety of the people and normal business:

        I, the grand marshal, have led my army to recover the southern provinces, to stabilize peace for the four classes of people, and to eliminate bad officials.

        Since the emperor of the Qing government is young and ignorant, power has been concentrated in the hands of wicked advisors and officials of the prefectures and counties plunder the wealth of the people and use it to ingratiate themselves with their superiors. As a result the people are oppressed by greedy officials.

        I, the grand marshal, have led the Righteous and Benevolent Army and have recovered Haicheng, Zhangzhou, Guankou, and Tongan. My army has advanced with irresistible power. If my subordinates have any unruly soldiers who rape women and create disturbances in the streets, you should report them to my officers immediately. I shall execute them and display their heads in public in accordance with the law.

        All the people-merchants and commoners alike- should carry on with their work and trade as usual. Do not be afraid of my soldiers. After issuing an order I enforce it immediately and do not tolerate offenders. My orders must be obeyed.

Proclama 3
 

        In the name of the Grand Ming dynasty, Marshal Huang of the Han people proclaims:

        It is well known that the way to good government is through benevolent policies; yet military strength is essential in governing a state. At this moment I have already conquered Xiamen and must now appoint capable persons to govern it. When employing capable individuals in the government one should pay special attention to their military ability. For this reason those who are able to pacify the world must exert care in choosing men.

        Now the people of Xiamen come seeking to take the oaths and join our society. There are hundreds of millions of them. If I do not proclaim the rules of recruitment, I am afraid that the wrong persons will be selected, thereby causing an unnecessary waste of time and resources. With the proclamation of this edict, those of you who have obtained the righteous banners from me and who are willing to reconstruct the nation with me should be very careful in the recruitment of more members. Only the young and the strong and those with experience in the martial arts should be selected as our members. We must eliminate the very old, the very young, and the disabled. In other words, we must eliminate all those over sixty years of age and all those under sixteen. Only by following this method can we strengthen our forces. Do not transgress this order.
15th day of the fourth month, 1853