The Sun. — London, England, 1860-12-17 00:00:00

5t1~r1! THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, - DECEMBER 17, 1869. ably, according to their degree (intending) of course that, as soon as peace was concluded, they should be sent back, with all proper attention. As regards the presentation of the letter of Govern ment, his Majesty the Emperor is obliged by law to hunt in the autumn, and has already set out on his journey. It is for this reason that the Prince will, with all solemnity, re ceive it for him, and place it on the incense table. Ample honour will thus be done it. The Prince explicitly stated this in his last reply, and he now restates it in answer to the despatch under acknowledgment. As concerns the British officers (detained), he must wait until the British and French forces have fallen back some distance ; they shall then be sent back withall proper attention. The two armies are at this -moment so near the city that a good deal of alarm (defensive feeling) is felt, and were they hurried out of it it might not be quite possible to ensure their safety, some farther harni might befal them. It were best, there fore. that the British force should fall back, and as soon as the treaty is concluded it will of course be the Prince's part to have them sent back with all proper attention, which will be much more coinme it faut. There is no objection to the appointment of deputies to confer together, but the British and French armies must, under any circumstances, fall back to the neighbourhood of Cbatag-kia •wan ; this effected, within three days of their so doing it can be arranged to send deputies from either side to some point between this and that, to settle in con ference the time and place at which the Tien-ts:n Conven tion is to be sealed and signed. The Prince is in his dealings with man most sincere; whatever he says is the truth. The British officers (in , his hands) are being treated with courtesy, and shall be sent back with all proper attention as soon as peace shall have been concluded. But he cannot refrain from stating ,be forehand that if the British force advances to attack,the city, it will, he fears, be difficult in that case to answer for their safety. He therefore replies. A necessary communication addressed to the Earl of Elgin, &c. Hienfung, 10th year, Bth moon, 15th day. (29th of Sep tember). Translated by THOMAS WADE, Chinese Secretary. Pa-li-chiau, Sept. 30. The undersigned, &c., is in receipt of the despatch of the Prince of Kung, under date the 29th fast. His Serene Highness declines to name time or place for the signature of the Convention negotiated at Tien-tsin until her Britannic Majesty's forces retire to a greater dis tance from Pekin, nor until the Convention shall have been signed will he release the officers and subjects of her Bri tannic Majesty treacherously seizes when under protection of a flag of truce by the Prince Sang-ko-lin-sin, and now illegally detained by his Serene Highness. The undersigned can regard this answer in no other light than as a rejection of the terms plainly set forth ii his previous letters to his Serene Highness, and the delay of three days, accorded to the Chinese Government haVing expired he, has no option but to acquaint his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's Forces of 'the unsatisfactory result of this correspondence. ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. His Imperial Highness the Prince of Kung, Imperial Commissioner, &c. Camp Pa-li-chiau, Oct. 1. Monsieur le Baron—l have • the honour to enclose the translation of a despatch from Prince Kung, which I re ceived yesterday morning, and a copy of my reply, which is drawn lip in pursuance of the resolution adopted at , the conference of the Allied Ambassadors and Commanders-in- Chief held at-the head-quarters of his Excellency General de Montauban, on that day.—l have, &c., ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. To Baron Gros, &c., and to Lieut.-General Sir Hope Grant, K.C.8., &c., Commander-in-Chief. The Prince of Kuag, Imperial Commissioner, makes a communication in reply. The Prince received the letter of the British Minister this morning about eight o'clock, and has acquainted him self with its coatents. As regards the condition of the British subjects (detained) the Prime has already made it plain that while peace nego tiations were still unconcluded it would not be treating them with proper attention were they to be hurried back. The treaty of the year wuwu (1858) and the Convention of Tien-tein having both been agreed to, why does the letter under acknowledgment allege that no proposition (or mea sure) has been assented to ? His Excellency the British Minister cannot have carefully studied the replies of the Prince; the interpreter he suspects has misapprehended the text of these. Were the British Government to attempt constraint by an exhibition of force, not only would this have a deplorable effect upon the condition of peace as already settled, but the safety of the British subjects in Pekin would also too probably be compromised. The British Consul Parkes is well versed in the Chinese language, written and spoken, and the Prince is now in the act of sending an officer to settle with him all matters necessary for the sealing and signing (of the treaties) at a conference. Why then do the British still thus abound in doubts ? A day can be named for the despatch of deputies from either side to confer together. The Prince accordingly replies. A necessary Communi cation addressed to the Earl of Elgin, &c. llienfltng, 10th year, Bth moon, 17th day (Ist of October). Translated by TIIOMAS WADE, Chinese Secretary. Pa-li-chiau, Oct. 2. The undersigned, &c., has the honour to acknowledge the receipt of him serene Highness the Prince of Kung's de spateh of the let inst. In his despatch of the 30th ult. the undersigned ac quainted his Serene Highness that he had informed his Excellency the Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's land forces of the unsatisfactory result of his correspondence on the subject of the convention and the rendition of her Bri tannic Majesty's subjects unlawfully detained in Pekin. Her Majesty's troops have in consequence already ad •anced some distance along the road to the capital. The Govertummt of China has already been so fully apprised, in ♦arious despatches, of the exact nature of the demands of the undersigned that it is impossible it can entertain any doubt as to what is required of it. If, therefore, it be in deed sincerely anxious for peace, let an officer, qualified to arrange all necessary preliminaries, be sent immediately to the advanced posts of the army, and let the prionors accom pany this officer. ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. Pa-li-chiau, Oct. 2. monsieur le Baron,—l have the honour to enclose the translation of a further let ter which I have received from the Imperial Prince Kung, and a copy of my reply, the sub stanc6 of which I have already had the honour to communi cate to yoiar Excellency. I think it right to observe that, in my opinion the corre spondence furnishes no reason for any relaxation in the im• mediate and energetic prosecution of the measures for the attacking of Sang-ko-lin•sin's force we were agreed upon at the conference held at the head-quarters of the French army on the 30th inst. ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. To Baiott Gros; &c:, and to Lieutenant-General Sir Hopl Grant, K.C.8., &c., ComManding- The Prince of Kung, Imperial Commissioner, makes a communication. He has received and has acquainted himself with the contents of a despatch he has received (from the British Minister). The treaty of the eighth year (1858) and the Tien-tsin convention of this year having been already agreed to, and the promise given regarding them will as suredly not be retracted, while, on the other hand, in the late (or former) despatch of the British Government it is stated that nothing is required in excess of the eight articles now negotiated at Tien-tsin, and the treaty concluded there in theyear' (1'858); there is nothing to be added; both par • ties are, in tact, perfectly in accord. The Prince, however, bearing in mind that the Insecurity of peace as negotiated duri ngt m an y years past h as been entirely owing to the : et that p eace "h as a l ways been negotiated in presence an.to ta anned fo r ce; an d t h at i t has been impossible have, explanation of th e diff erent cond i tions of the 'treaty ha s , e r a ti o c i lt 'article, th e consequence o f which bearlei and iuspicion on both s id es (th e P r i nce t h e b r i t i4Vacs in mind), and having here present Chinese, seiittril Parkes, w h o i s we ll acqua i nted with name d I, wlio a and. ep°ken, and the French officer sur eiont efticeri`tbsed l-a Chinese, has before: go i ng f ar th er With the officer Parkes and I (Abbe de Luci) to discuseand. disposesfaotorily of the treat (of iBSS) already the en , tion of Tien ' y of this 'Year, and 4 8 '°°n.',l4 discussion shall have he s e: brought to satisfaCtory . a_ l etter will be writt en t o his Excellency the British Minister. It is assumed that there is nothing . therefore that cann o t a. , anged, or that to this arrangement there cannot be any objection As this discussion is still in process, it is imp ossible to send back the British ontdects hore. As re6rds'the Chinese army, this has be e 4 desired by the Prince t o f a ll b ac k f o r a while, which being theta can be no d ou bt th a t th e B r itish force ought similarly, for the time, to retire. If troops continue to be brought e or .. leard;then peace negotiations will be as before conducted in presence ?f a force; there will be every difficulty in the way of sending officers 'from either side to the other ; peace negotiations will too probably fail, and injury befall the British subjects in the city. Let his Excellency, however, think over, this. The Prince in his despatch has spoken plainly, and It is his hope that his Excellency the British Minister will cause the interpreter in his camp to translate very carefully for hfln what the Prince has said.. The two bags and the note for Consul Parkes have been received and handed to Consul Parkes. A neceseary, communication, addressed to his Excellency the Earl of Meaning, 10th year, Bth moon, 19th day (Oct. 3, 1860). Translated by T4t0.442 WADE, Chinese Secretary. Received October 4, 11 al.m. The Prince of Kting,' Imperial Commissioner, makes A eemmunicatii:T. T hiffwaritish officers, Messrs. Parkes and Loch, having , neat in four notes to the Prince, it becomes his duty to . vl:r . r,; send a special messenger with them to his Excellency the British Minister, whom he will thank to receive them and acquaint himself with their contents. The Prince hopes to receive without de' y a reply from the British Minister to the effect that, a , he proposed in his earlier reply to his Excellency, the p priety of retiring the armies on either side, so as to admi; f a conference be tween deputies from both at some spo` midway between them, shall be taken into consideration, and that, in accord ance with what has passed, the understanding entered into between the British Consul and the deputy of the Prince, peace shall bo established on a permanent basis. A necessary communication, addressed to his Excellency the Earl of Elgin. Hienfung, 10th year, Bth moon, 19th day (3d of October, 1860). The undersigned has received two despatches from his Imperial Highness the Prince Kung, under date the 3d inst. In that which reached the undersigned this morning was a letter from Mr. Parkes to the effect that the Chinese Government desires some neutral spot there to arrange the preliminaries of a permanent peace. Mr. Parkes's efforts in the cause of peace have the entire approbation of the undersigned ; neither Mr. Parkes's let ter, however, nor the despatches under acknowledgment, contain any satisfactory reply to the demand so frequently made by the undersigned for the immediate liberation of the subjects of her Britannic Majesty unlawfully detained in Pekin. The conditions upon which alone peace can be negotiated remain as the Imperial Prince will find them stated in the despatch of the undersigned, and to these he must beg once more to refer his Imperial Highness. The undersigned will be obliged to the Imperial Prince to forward the enclosed to Mr. Parkes and Mr. Loch, toge ther with the accompanying articles, for which they have applied. ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. Chang-kia-ying, Oct. 4, 1860. ' Received October 7, 1860. The Prince of Kung, Imperial Commissioner, makes a communication. The Prince addressed a communication yesterday, the 21st inst. (6th of October), to his Excellency the British Minister ; his Excellency has not replied to it, and the British troops have resumed their movement forwards. How is this ? It does not look like peace. (Enclosed) is a note from the British Secretary Parkes. If the intentions of the British Minister be really pacific, it is the hope of tke Prince that his Excellericy will immediately cause the British force to fall back for the present to a distance of some li, in order that an Officer may be sent out for a con ference, on the 24th inst. (Sth of October), when the oppor tunity will be taken to return the British subjects now in the capital with due honour. If the troops do not fall back and hostilities continue, there eau be no real friendliness in the relations between the two countries (or no sincerity in the professed desire for friendly relations), and how, under such circumstances, is either the Conclusion of the treaty or the rendition of the British subjects to be efected ? It is for his Excellency alone to'consider this. A necessary communication, addressed to his Excellency the Earl of Elgin. ' Hienfung, 10th year, Bth moon, 22d day (7th October, 1860). Translated by THOMAS WAD.; Chinese Secretary. [Enclosed is a note in Chinese from Mr. Parkes, as follows.] PA-HIA-LI (HARRY PARKES) TO WEI•To-MA (THOMAS WADE). I beg to state that Chinese officers have this day come to say that the 24th inst. (Bth October) has been named as the day on which the French and Engliek detained are to be sent back to the head-quarters of their respective forces, with all honour; also that the Chinese commanders have been this day written to to fall back some li from the posi tions now occupied by their forces, in order to the conclu sion of a bona fide peace. If they do so fall back, I may be allowed to assume that the allied forces will in fairness make no further advance. Bth moon, 22d day. (Signed in English) HARRY S. PARKES. Kau-Mean (Temple), October 6, 1860, 3 p.m. Note addressed to Hangki, a deputy of the Imperial Com missioner the Prince of Bung, and handed to that officer on the evening of the 7th of October, 1860. Palichiau, Sept. 25, 1860. The undersigned has the honour to state that he has been sent hero (to the Hwa-zing-aze, by the Commander in- Chief of the allied forces). Their Excellencies have been given to understand by their Excellencies the Ambassadors of their respective na tions, that his Serene Highness the Prince of Kung, Impe rial Commissioner, has officially informed their Excellencies that there is nothing to which he does not assent, either in the treaties concluded the year before last or in the conven tions negotiated this year at Tien-tsin. The Commanders-in- Chief have consequently no remark to offer regarding the treaties, but unless the Chinese Go vernment immediately send in to their respective camps the officers and subjects of the two Powers still in its hands, their Excellencies will cause the capital city of Pekin to be stormed, in order to show to those who break faith and do injury to others, that sooner or later their offence will be punished. If, on the other hand, the Chinese Government send back those now in its hands without delay, and at the same time depute a competent officer to prepare the conventions and the other documents, their Excellexcies the allied Am bassadors will name a day for the signature of the conven tions, the exchange of ratifications, and similar formalities. Late events, however, considered, it will not be proper that faith should be placed at random in the Chinese Go vernment or its people. It becomes expedient to take mea sures of precaution beforehand against evil that may be done. Before, therefore, their Excellencies enter Pekin, a gate of the capital will have to be occupied by an escort de tached from both armies. The Commanders-in. Chief will decide which of the gates, and the Chinese troops will be then required to fall back for the time being from the gate their Excellencies choose to hold. This effected, if the officers and people of the capital remain quiet without giving trouble, as in the ease of Tien-tsin and Tung .chow, the allied forces will conduct themselves towards them as they have done towards the officers and people of those two cities. THOMAS WADE, Chinese Secretary. Camp before Pekin, Oct. 9. My Lord,—l have much satisfaction in informing your Lordship that the anticipations in which I ventured to in dulge at the close of my despatch No. 57, of yesterday's date, have been realised, and that the English and Frenck prisoners detained in Pekin, numbering eight in all, were sent to this camp in the afternoon. The subjects of Her Majesty thus restored are Mr. Parkes, my Private Secre tary (Mr. Loch), and a trooper of Probyn's Horse ; the French subjects are M. l'Escayrac de Lanture, who is at the head of a scientific mission, and four soldiers. To no one of their numerous friends is the return of these gentlemen a matter of more heartfelt gratification than it is to me. Since the period of their arrest I have been compelled by a sense of duty to turn a doaf ear to every overture for their restoration which has involved the slightest retrograde movement of our array, or the aban - donment of any demands previously preferred by me against the Chinese Government. I have felt that any such conces sion on my part would have established a most fatal pre cedent, because it would have loch the Chinese to suppose that by kidnapping Englishmen they might effect objects which they aro unable to achieve by fair fighting or diplo macy. 'confess that I have been, moreover, throughout of opinion that, in adopting this uncompromising tone, and boldly setting the national above the personal interest, I was, in point of fact, best consulting the welfare of our friends who were in durance ; but it was not to be expected that all persons would view in the same light a question of policy so obscure; and, apart from the warm personal inte rest which I feel in their safety, your Lordship can well understand that it relieves me from a. great load of anxiety to learn from the result that the course which f have fol lowed was not ill calculated to promote it. The account which they give of what they have gone through since their capture on the 18th ult. is most interest ing. I have requested each of them to put down his recol lections on paper, as I can submit them to your Lordship most accurately in this form. A copy of Mr. Loch's nar rative I enclose herewith, but Mr. Parkes has been so much engaged on public duty tosday that he has not been able to complete his. Enough has already transpired to convince nee that these gentlemen have exhibited, under circum stances of great trial, constancy and courage of the highest order—an example nobly followed by the fine old Sikh trooper who was in attendance upon them. The Chinese officials treated them at first with mach brutality, obviously with the intention of working on their fears, and, through their fears, influencing in some degree the counsels of the Ambassadors.. When this plan failed, they resorted to gentle methods and endeavoured to estab lish a claim on their gratitude, Such was the conduct of persons whose demeanour towards them was prescribed by authority. It is, however, remarkable that they experienced ranch kindness and respect throughout from prisoners, and sores others of the humble classes with whom they came in contact. mr. It is,a matter of great concern to me that we know asyet the n othing 2,:ii_n„ ? ..e s , r , taaindn t r wa esp l ec 9 t t ing the fate of Mr. Bruce's attaché, De -Norman, Mr. Bowlby, the special correspondent of one Drago on , who famed roopers, consisting of IS Sikhs and of Lietnoant Anderson, of Fane's Irregular comMand the escort, and were under the Messrs. Parkes and Ltecthhe Horse. This portion party became separated from of the conflict , o . f ilhen „tent 18th nit., were taken up to the latter, at the com mencementktile object of obtaining a safe Sang-ko-lin-sin, for the conduct from him. Since thatw we zai,re y wiei-i asossured that, though we have heard nothing entioninOg:too'hbpotrsoe;eral Yalu authentic about them, but thleytaarenthoiot n o o p w po i r n ti nk t i y n that restored tau . ,* of th m e able papers have been . found in the summer pa l ac e, Yuen-min-Yuen, which has been seizeds French. Some are in the Emperor's holograph. ,The y the important, so far as a hurried examination enables most s es t o t decide, are some memorials discomed by Mr. Morrison, In one of these Sang-ko-lin-sin ascribes the loss of the Take forts to the explosion of a magazine, and strongly urges the Emperor to withdraw from the capital—a proposal strenu ously resisted by other memorialists. Many of the papers show a determination to resist the barbarians even after the fall of Baku. Great exertions had been made, and it was supposed, with the reinforcements expected, the force avail able for the defence of the capital would amount to 300,000 men. The allies are put at 10,000. I hope by the next mail, to be able to furnish translations of these very inte resting documents. • I have, &c., EL')IN AND KINCARDINE, The Lord John Russell, &o. MR. LOCH'S STATEMENT. Camp before Pekin, Oct. 9, 1860. My Lord,—Mr. Parkes will no doubt iaform your lord ship, at greater length than I shall be able to do, of the events that preceded our oapture, and of the subsequent occurrences ; but as for the first 12 days wo were separated, I send your lordship this short report of what came under my own observation, however imperfect it may be from my want of knowledge of the language. On the morning of the 17th of Sept., I accompanied Mr. Parkes, with your lordship's sanction, to Tung-chow, to make arrangements for the moving of your Excellency's camp to that place, when the day was decided on for the signature of the Convention. We arrived at Tungchow about 10 a.m., and nearly the whole of that day was occupied by discussions on various questions connected with the Convention, between the Im perial Commissioners, Tsai, Prince of I, and Muh, Presi dent of the Eoard of War, and Mr Parkes, endeavours being made on their part to draw Mr. Parkes into a decided ex pression of opinion on the question of your lordship's delivering the letter of credence to the Emperor. Towards 6 o'clock, however, in the afternoon, Mr. Parkes thought he had succeeded in showing them that that was a question he was not empowered to discuss, having no instructions on the subject and that moreover it was a question not included in the Convention, but one left opal for negotiation. It was not until this late hour that Mr. Parkes could get their serious attention to the various arrangements necessary for encamping our troops, and for opening markets for their supplies, and sending carts fcr the conveyance of your lordship's camp to Tungehow, but they then appointed officers for these various duties, and everything seemed satis factorily understood and agreed to. Colonel Walker, who had also accompanied Mr. Parkes to Tungchow, for the purpose of examining the ground agreed on for the encampment of the troops, decided on starting early in the morning to make arrangements fur their arrival on the ground, and therefore at about 5.30 a.m. on the 18th Mr. Parkes, Colonel Walker, and Mr.. Morri son, with an escort of five King's Dragoon Guards and four sowars, started for this purpose, leaving the remainder of the party, which consisted of Mr. De Norman, Mr. Bowlby, and Mr. Anderson, who commanded the whole escort and 15 sowers, in Tungchow, to await our return, when we intended to look for a suitable residence for your lordship. The yamun in which we were lodged was in the western suburb. The shortest way to gain the road to Matou was through the country, and not through Tungchow, which road we had been brought in by the previous evening. We advanced at a quick trot, and as we approached Chang-kia wang we observed many detached parties of matchlock men and cavalry hurrying to the front. As we passed through Chang-kia-wang the numbers increased, and became massed as if being moved forward to take up certain positions. Observing a largo body of men to our right, I rode across a field, and found about 500 cavalry dismounted in a dry watercourse. Being joined by Mr. Parkes, we proceeded along their front until we came to a village, through which we passed, and suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a battery of 12 guns is position, and commanding the very ground on which it had been agreed the night before that our troops were to encamp. Although somewha t surprised at our sudden appearance amongst them, they merely told us to go on to the road, where we joined Colonel Walker and the es cort. We had now arrived on the ground decided on for our camp. A narrow stream of water runs close up to the road from the eastward, an embankment or bund running at some 20 yards distant from it. This bund was lined with matchlock men, extending to the left as far as we could see. We rode a short distance along this bund. In front of it, at about 100 yards distant, was a long line of cavalry skir mishers, extending the whole length of their position, which appeared a sort of semicircle. Mr. Parkes asked some of the men where their general was, and was told he was many li distant. We held a consultation on the threatening appearance of affairs, and Mr. Parkes at once decided on returning to Tungchow, to find out from the Prince of I the meaning of the Chinese force occupying our position, while I was to pass through their force to give the General as early intimation as possible. Colonel Walker, with five King's Dragoon Guards and one sowar, was to remain on the embankment until either joined by Mr. Parkes or he received orders from Sir Hope Grant to retire. I met the army with Sir Hope Grant on the march, within half a mile after passing through the Chinese line of skirmishers. I informed him of the position of the Chinese army, and of the position of our party, and the course Mr. Parkes had decided on following. Sir Hope Grant told me it would be necessary to occupy the ground as already decided on, and drive the Chinese back if they offered resis tance ; but that, if a shot was fired, he would capture Tung chow. As the enemy's cavalry was moving round to our right, it was necessary to act as soon as possible, and to withdraw Mr. Parkes and his party from Tungchow. Ho therefore gave me leave to return to Mr. Parkes with this message, and gave me two sowers of Major Probyn's regi ment to accompany me with a flag of truce; Captain Brabazon was also ordered to return with me, so that he might see the ground. The Chinese made no difficulty about allowing us to pass through their lines; On arriving at the bund, not being able to see anything of Colonel Walker, we proceeded at a rapid rate straight to Tungchow. On arriving at the yamun we found all the gentlemen of the party were absent in the town, but I gave orders to the escort to saddle their horses and be ready to start at a moment's notice, and in a few minutes the gentlemen returned. Mr. de Norman and myself, accompanied by four men, then started through the city to look for Mr. Parkes, who had gone to the Prince of I's residence. 'We had not gone half a mile when we met him. He said not a moment was to be lost in escaping. On our arrival at our yamun the whole party were mounted and ready. It consisted of Mr. Parkes, Captain Brabazon, Mr. do Norman, Mr. Bowlby, Mr. Ander son (commanding), one King's Dragoon Guard, and 17 Sowers and myself, 24 in all. We proceeded at a sharp can ter. After proceeding half way we took a wrong turn to the left; this, however, did not delay us five minutes, and we made straight for Chang-kia-wan, the streets of which place we found full of soldiers. As we cleared the town we heard the guns open, and saw the smoke of guns on both sides, at which. time we were within half a mile of being clear of the Chinese line. As we went at a canter, a body of cavalry ranged up on either side began blowing their matches and getting their matchlocks and bows and arrows ready. As this had rather the appearance of flight on our part, and as the cavalry might have opened a cross fire upon us at any moment, we halted to consult. The Chinese cavalry, aboui 300 in number, then drew up in front, and on either flank, supported by a large body of infantry. They said civilly enough that as fire had opened, we could not pass through their lines without an order from their General, who was close by. We had to consider whether we should attempt to force our way through this body of men, and' some 3,000 who were beyond them and between this and our army, or act as this officer proposed, and go to the General, by which course we should not forfeit the protection of the flag of truce. Mr. Parkes said he would go to the General, and asked me to accompany him. Taking one Sowar to carry the flag of truce, we galloped off in the direction indicated. As we turned the corner of a field of millet, which hid us from our escort, we found ourselves in front of about 150 infantry who rushed forward with their matchlocks pointed, and had it not been fora Chinese officer, who knocked them up, we should have been shot down. These infantry were on the bank of a small stream I have before referred to, beyond which we saw several Man darins on horseback. We pushed through the infantry, and Mr. Parkes addressed one, who he was informed was Prince Sang-ko-lin-sin, and asked for a safe pass for our flag of truce, but he only received abuse in reply. After a few words Mr. Parkes turned to me and said, " I think we are pri soners." At that time we were surrounded by men, who seized both us and em horses. It was hopeless to resist ; we dismounted, and our arms were laid hold of and twisted behind us. In this position we were taken across the stream, over a bridge formed by a boat, and pushed down on our knees in front of Sang-ko-lin•sin. I was knocked forward, and my head rubbed in the dirt. Sang-ko-lin• sin spoke to Mr. Parkes with much vehemence. He accused Mr. Parkes of being the cause of all the difficulties that had arisen, and of the action that was now taking place. He then ordered our being taken to the Prince of I, and sent an officer to tell our escort to return to Chang-kia-wan. We listened anxiously for any firing or signs of resistance from that quarter, but heard none. We were removed to a tent close by, where another General was seated. He treated us more civilly, and allowed us to sit down until the arrival of a cart. While waiting two French prisoners, belonging to their commissariat, were brought in from the front. The firing becoming mach heavier, a message came for the General whom we were with, and a •art was sent for us at the same time, into which all five of us were put, and, surrounded by an escort of some 20 men, we were hurried into Tung-chow. The jolt•• ing was great over the rough roads of the country, but that over the paved streets of Tung-chow was most painful to bear. The Prince of I having left the city, we followed him out on the Pekin road. Crowds of soldiers were hurrying into the city, and we saw large camps on each side of the road. After going about six li, we came to a largo bridge which crosses the canal this we passed over, but apparently our escort had a difficulty in finding where the Prince of 1 was, for we were turned back, and had to recross the canal, and were taken to a large camp a short distance front the bridge. There we were taken out of the cart and taken before Jui-lin, one of the Principal Secretaries of State ; we were made to kneel down, and an examination was commenced ; this went on for some time. The heat and dust had greatly exhausted u 4, and Mr. Parkes, to bring this tiresome and useless exa mination to a close, pretended faintness, and we were moved t) a room of a small farmhouse close by. Here we were `allowed to lie. down for a short time, but were soon made to get up by people coming to search us. They took from us all our letters, papers, watches, &c. We were then re moved to a small temple and taken before some Mandarins, whom Mr. Parkes recognised as belonging to the Prince of I's suite. They made us kneel, and commenced a long and troublesome examination, which was suddenly interrupted evidently by some panic, either by an advance of our troops or from some other cause. Our examiners hurriedly dis appeared, and a number of soldiers rushed in with loud cries, who bound our hands tightly behind our backs ; from their language and gestures Mr. Parkes anticipated we were about to be executed, for they shook their spears and swords at us in a threatening manner; we were taken thus bound into the court of the temple, where some change seemed to take place in their plans, for they hurried us back again and took us outside, when they put us into a common coun try cart, which they drovo off at a very quick pace ; this, with our hands bound behind us, caused us agonies. We soon got en to the Pekin paved road, but had they not occasionally taken the cart on to the side road I do not think we could have lasted out the seven hours we were in it. From pain, dust,' and heat our thirst became intense. Once or twice they gave us water. After a time they took out one of the French and Sikh prisoners and put them into another cart, some of their officials taking their place in ours. These men caused me great tortures by lifting up my arms, which seamed tearing them out of their sockets. The old Sikh Sower behaved with calm endurance. I told him not to fear, we were in God's hands. '• Ah, Sahib," he said, "I do not fear ;lam6o; if I do not die to-day I may to-morrow, and I am with you; I do not fear." It was getting dark ere we reached the suburbs of Pekin ; they were not so bon as we expected, for after about half a mile we reached the gate, which, from its great height, has an imposing appearance. The crowds of people could hardly be kept back who pressed forward to see us. The street we entered on passing the gate was some 50 feet broad, but the houses on either side were small and only of one storey. Darkness coming on, we could not see anything even if we had had the strength to look about us. We rolled through street afterstreet, and the way seemed interminable ; we passed through another gateway, and shortly afterwards turned into a large courtyard. Mr Parkes saw on the lanterns " Hsing-poo," or the " Board of Punishment." We were kept in the court some quarter of an hour, Mr. Parkes was then pulled out and taken before the examiners ; after 10 minutes' anxious suspense I saw him pass loaded with chains. I was then taken into a small room dimly lighted; chains and various other evidences of prisons and tortures were hung about the walls. The exa miners sat behind a table, in front of which I was forced down on my knees; a number of questions were put to me, which, of course, I did not understand ; but a man, who seized me by the hair, and another by the ear and beard, gave me a shake and a cuff each time I failed to answer. After five minutes of thiA I made signs I wanted my hat, that had been knocked off and was lying in front of me ; at this the examiners abused me, and I was knocked forward on my face, a large iron collar was put round my neck with a long, heavy chain attached to it, and I was removed into an inner courtyard, where by the dim light of a lantern I saw Mr. Parkes seated on a bench. Few words passed be tween us ; two chains were here made fast to my legs, pass ing through the long chain which was attached to the col lar round my neck. We were then made to get up, and the saddest moment of the day then came, for I saw Mr. Parkes being led away in one direction while they took me in ano ther ; I could only say, "God bless you, Parkes I" and we were separated. They led me through long open passages into a court yard, which had a long barn-like building on one side with grated windows, through which a strong light shone. The gaolers rapped at the door, when the most unearthly yell arose that I ever heard; the door was opened with a bang, and I found myself surrounded by about 40 half naked, savage, and as villanous-looking fellows as I ever saw in my life. They were criminals of all descriptions—murderers, thieves, &c., some 20 of them were chained like myself. One end of the room seemed kept apart for their use ; at the other end were the prisoners who were not chained, and seemed of a better class. As soon as I had entered the door was closed behind me, and the gaolers pinioned my elbows, although my hands were still bound. By this time I had lost all use of my fingers ; they felt bursting, and my hands were greatly swollen. After a little time they loosened the rope at my wrist, but only to put on irons. They gave me a cup of tea, which was very grateful, for I was greatly ex hausted. I was glad to see that they intended to place me among the better lot of unchained prisoners, for the others were covered with itch and vermin. They laid me down on a board like a guard-room bed, and chained me up by my neck-chain to a beam over my head. I was able to lie at full length, and, worn out utterly, I fell into a deep sleep. The next morning my waking was very sad ; a little after daylight the doors were thrown open, bud we were un shained from the beams, and every one went into the court • yard. The yard was about 16 yards square, and a large verandah was in front of the prison ; in one corner o the yard was the cook-house, on the other three sides were small wards or prisons for one or two favoured prisoners. At about 9 o'clock two mandarins came in to superin tend the distribution of the food for the prisoners. The food the Government supplies is only boiled millet, with oc casionally a little salt vegetable; a large bowl twice a day is given to each prisoner. The millet is brought in in a large tub by two men and served up hot. Only those in chains are on this feod. The rest of the prisoners, among whom I was included, received some rice, green vegetables, and a little chopped meat, and French beans, with either bread or biscuit ; this we got twice daily. This food is found and paid for by one of the prisoners, it being a way by which they are allowed to work off a portion of their term of imprisonment. The man who supplied us was im prisoned for thieving, and the cost of feeding the prisoners could not have amounted to less than two taels a day. The' prisoners were very civil and kind. Three were appointed to watch and guard me, and at night one always sat at the head of my bed. They helped me by carrying my chain, by getting me water to wash my face and hands, and by getting me a seat to myself if I wanted one. I found out that of my three attendants two were mur derers, and the third was imprisoned for biting his father's finger off. I was surprised to see the good and kindly feel ing that existed between all the prisoners ; they seemed to feel for each other, and I have often seen a man who had a little better food than his neighbour give him half. Daring the 12 days I was in prison with them I only heard one quarrel. On the first morning of my imprisonment the officials of the prison, two white-buttoned mandarins, made me go down on my knees and asked me a number of questions which I did not understand. In the afternoon I was taken into the courtyard again, and made to kneel for a long time before a number of red-buttoned mandarins, who from their manner evidently abused. me. I was then taken back and chained up. I had succeeded in saving my Prayer-book up to the time of being brought into the prison, but it was then. taken from me ; by signs, however, I got it returned to me the second day. What attracted the greatest curiosity among the prisoners and the mandarins who visited me were my boots and this book, The second and third day I was also much visited, sometimes had to kneel and be abused, other times the visits seemed private, after then I was eel • dom visited. I made various efforts through the official visiting man darins to obtain an interview with Mr. Parkes, and, although they sometimes by signs led me to hope that such might be granted, it never was. I heard of Hang. ta-jin having been to see Mr. Parkes frequently, but I was utterly ignorant of the subject of his visits. The days past wearily by. I cal culated and re-calculated the time that would be required for the various movements, I fund reasons for delays as days passed and no change came to our situation, but I fed myself with the hope that we should all be released. I had many anxious thoughts as to what had happened to the rest of our party ; our impression was that they had escaped. So the days passed until the morning of the 29th of September; there had been two great gasl deliveries during the period of my confinement, and on the 29th all excepting the men in chains were liberated. About the middle of that day, while I was lying down, one of the men who watched me, putting his mouth close to my ear, whispered " Pa ta jin" and Hang ta jin," and made signs my iron collar was to bo removed. About two hours afterwards I was taken into one of the side rooms, and there Hang came and ordered my chains to be taken off. I was then removed to another yard, and shortly afterwards joined Mr. Parkes. That moment repaid me fir much suffering, I did not know whether this was our final release or not, and it was not till ovonity, that I learnt all that had oc curred from Mr. Parkes. We were placed in separate carts, but this time in the proper carriage -cart, well cushioned. We were taken to the Rao- miao temple, which is close to the north gate. Here we found a good room prepared for us, and another for our attendants, who were some of our old gaolers. We had a good-sized courtyard, in which we were allowed to walk. A remarkably fine guard of Manchu cavalry, consisting of 20 men, had us under their especial chaige. Hang accompanied us to the temple, but soon left, pro mising to return in the morning. I then learnt from Mr. Parkes of the frequent visits Hang had paid him during his imprisonment, and I cannot be too grateful to Mr. Parkes for his noble and disinterested conduct towards me, in his firmly refusing to accept any of Hang's offers of re lease unless he was accompanied by me. In fact, during the whole of the first day, and during the latter portion of our imprisonment which we passed together, I cannot express myself in terms of too great ad miration of his fearless and determined bearing through.ut the trials and difficulties that surrounded us ; and I am convinced that one great cause of the happy termination to those dangers was the firm and consistent language he held to those mandarins who were sent to att rapt to gain some admission from him, either through his hopes or fears. From the 29th of September to the Bth inst. we were confined in the Rao-miao temple ; almost daily Hang came and held long conversations with Mr. Parkes, who will in form your Lordship, at much greater length than I am able to do, of what passed on these occasions. I will not enter, therefore, at length on this portion of our imprisonment. It was a period of great anxiety and trial, for although we were well treated, wo knew that our release, indeed, our existence, depended greatly upon how the movement of our troops outside the city might affect the feelings of the Chinese and mandarins inside. We felt that in any sudden panic, when they would be scarcely masters of their senses, they might rush in and wreak on us their vengeance; this was our real clange% as long as they gave themselves time to reflect we were in comparative safety. This, under God's providence, with the steady advance of our troops, and the consistent and determined line of your Lordship's policy, resulted in our happy release. Up to within the last few days, we were kept in utter ignorance of all that had occurred, but Mr. Wades letter of the 4th inst. made us pretty well acquainted with what had passed. Hang came yesterday morning with Mr. WTade's letter, calling on the Chinese Government to surrender one of the gates of the city to be occupied by our troops ; he said it was impossible, and it was long before he would say whether we could be released ; however, at last he did so, and at two o'clock we were put into a cart together, and conducted un der a stiong escort to the west gate. The streets were de serted and the shops closed. On leaving the gate our escort left us, and we were left by ourselves to reach the camp, where, I thank God, we arrived in safety at 3 30 p.m. The Sikh sower and five Frenchmen were released at the same time. This report has grown to much greater length than I anticipated. I only regret that the information I have been able to give your Lordship in it is so meagre. I have, &e., The Earl of Elgin, &c. HENRY B. Locu. LORD ELGIN. Camp, before Pekin, Oct. 13. My Lord,—l have the honour to enclose the translation of a despatch which I received yesterday kfternoon from Prince Kung, and purports to be a reply to the summons addressed to him three days ago by the Commanders-in- Chief, also a copy of the letter in which I transmitted a translation of this despatch to Lieutenant-General Sir Hope (grant. The north-eastern gate of the city was handed over to the allied armies without condition at noon of this day --I have, &c., To Lord John Russell, &e. ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. The Prince of Kung, Imperial Commissioner, makes a communication. The Prince having repeatedly written to say that he had deputed officers to treat the British Secretary, Mr. Parkes, with all honour, and that as soon as they and he had satisfac torily settled together all questions relating to the sealing and signature of the Convention (the rest of) the British subjects could be returned (as well)—conduct towards the British Government which was not illiberal—how comes it that the British troops have carried their outrages into the garden palace of the Emperor, and have fired his Majesty's audience halls and dwellings ? Is it reasonable that the nation of the British Minister being one acquainted with the obligations of man to man, with discipline long esta blished in its army, while its troops have wantonly fired and plundered the garden palace, the commanders of the two armies and the British Minister should affect ignorance of this ? The British Minister should by right state plainly in his reply what steps are to be taken with regard to these proceedings.* This day, however, to his surprise, the Prince has received a despatch from his Excellency General Grant, the British Commander-in-Chief, to the effect that he is about to take possession of the An-ting Gate, and to preface this by the erection of a battery, and that, in the event of a refusal, he will assault the city on the 29th inst. (October 13.) That the soldiers the British Minister might bring with him when he comes to the capital to exchange the treaties should be distributed without the walls, and that his escort should accompany him into the city, were indeed conditions inserted in the convention,and to which, of course, effect will be given, as (the convention) has been sn tote assented to both by the former Commissioners and the Prince. The British Minister having also stated in a despatch which tho Prince has received that there should be no alteration whatever in the treaty, this, too, can be at once exchanged, that a good understanding may be estab lished, to endure for ever. But the words of the convention had reference to the British Minister's entrance into the capital for the purpose of exchanging the treaties ; the city gates have ever been under the surveiiance of high officers specially charged to see th em opene d and closed, and if they bo thrown open at this moment before (peace be con cluded), and the duty of inspection and search recklessly neglected, the disorderly of the place will probably seize the opportunity to commit all sorts of irregularities. It is in dispensable, therefore, that proper precautions should be taken. The letter received from the British Goverantent (Sir Hope Grant's despatch) says that the An- tang gate will be occupied by a body of troops, and, the two nations being now at peace, this is an arrangement which can of course be made, but the reply to this despatch should specify cer tain regulations for the occupation of this gate, and when the British Minister's reply to this effect shall have been received, a day can be named for the signature of the con vention and the exchange of the treaties, in order that, be fore that day, all necessary arrangements may be duly con sidered to the establishment of a good understanding. The,British officers (still detained) were seized by the late Commissioners. A certain number were missing after the fight, or have died of their wounds, or of sickness. The Prince gave orders to the officers whose business it was to find out where they were, to make them comfortable, and to put them under medical treatment, and he now returns them, as his former despatch promised that he would return them, keeping his word without any abatement or modifica tion. The Prince's correspondence during Ihe last few days has been all carried on with the British Minister, and he thinks it proper to continue to address himself to his Excel lency, although he has received the despatch of his Excel lency the British General, as the good understanding has been restored. He therefore writes this despatch, a necessary communi cation, addressed to his Excellency the Earl of Elgin, &c. Ilienfing, 10th year, Bth moon, 28th day (12th of October, 1860). Translated by ThomAs WADE, Chinese Secretary. Camp before Pekin, Oct, 13. Sir,--I have the honour to enclose for your Excellency's information the translation of a despatch which I received last night from the Prince Kung. I consider its tone to be by no means satisfactory, and I trust that the Commanders in-Chief will adhere to their determination to require the unconditional surrender of the gate. ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir Hope Grant, K.C.8., &c. Camp before Pekin, Oct. 13, 1860. My Lord,—ln reply to your Excellency's letter of this date, I have the honour to state that I sent officers this morning with Mr. Parkes to meet the Chinese deputies with respect to the surrender of the An-ting gate. These latter made various excuses to postpone the sur. render, but were informed that, if the gate were not given up by noon to-day, the guns would open fire, on the walls. I have just now learned that this has been effected quietly, and the allied troops are now in possession of the An-ting gate, upon which their respective flags are planted.--I have, &c., HOPE GRANT, Commander of the Forces. His Excellency the Earl of Elgin, K.T., G.C.8., &c. Camp before Pekin, Oct 13. My Lord,—Daring the afternoon of yesterday nine prisoners were returned to this camp—eight troopers of Fane's Irregular Horse and ono French soldier. All were suffering more or less severely from the effects of the ligatures with which their wrists had been bound. I grieve to say that the evidence given by them lead us to fear the worst for Lieut. Anderson, of Fane's Irregulars, and Mr. De Norman, Mr. Bruce's attache. They seem to hays sunk under circumstances of much suffering from the con sequences of the maltreatment to which they were sub jected. I' enclose herewith copies of the depositions of two of the troopers. I was not personally acquainted with Lieut. Anderson, but he is spoken of by all who knew him as an excellent officer. Mr De Norman was a young man of remarkable promise. With considerable abilities, great assiduity, singular steadiness of character, and courage of no common order, he had every promise of achieving emi nence in his profession. 'We all mourn most bitterly his untimely end,—l have, &c., ELGIN AND KINCARDINE. The Lord John Russell, &c. THE SONAR'S STATEMENT. EVIDENCE OF MAIIOIIED KIIAN, 4TH TROOP, FANE'S HoitsE. When we got to the camp of the Chinese, near Chan kianwhan, we heard the firing. commenced ; Messrs. Parkes and Loch left us, with ono sowar of Major Probyn's regi ment. Mr. Anderson waited for about half an hour, and then wanted to go in search of them, but we were stopped by the Chin, se. We were eventually taken outside Tung-chow, and our arms taken away from us. We then remounted, and went over the stone bridge along the paved road to a joss house about a mile or two miles on this side. The next day Captain Brabazon and a Frenchman left us, and we were taken through Pekin to a garden on the other side (this place was near a lake and temples round). We were there put into tents, six in each ; Mr. Anderson told off the numbers to each. This was about two o'clock in the day. About half an hour after our arrival Mr. Do Norman was taken out, under the pretence of having his face and hands washed ; he was immediately seized, thrown on the ground, and his hands and feet tied together behind. Mr. Anderson was then taken out and tied in the same manner, then Mr. Bowlby, and then the Frenchman, and then the sowers. After we had all been tied they put water on our bonds to tighten them. Then they lifted us up and took us into a court-yard, where we remained in the open for three days. exposed to the sun and cold. Mr. An derson became delirious the second day from the effects of the sun and want of water and food. We had nothing to eat all that time, At last they gave us about two square inches of bread and a little water. In the day time the place was left open, and hundreds of people came to stare at A us t . There were many men of rank a m o n g night a soldier was placed on guard over each of us. w the spectators. At we * What punishment inflicted on the troops, what repara tion made for tosses, &c, spoke a word or asked for water, we were beaten and stamped upon. They kicked us about the head with their boots. If wo asked for something to eat, they crammed dirt down our mouths. At the end of the third day irons were put on our neck, wrists, and ankles, and about 3 o'clock on the fourth we were taken away in carts. I never saw Mr. Anderson again. In our two carts there wore eight of us, viz.,—three Frenchmen, four Sikhs, and myself. One Frenchman died on the road ; he was wounded with a sword-cut on the head. We were then taken away tewards the hills. That night we stopped at a house to eat and rest, and travelled all the next day. We stopped again at night, and late the next day arrived at a walled town as big as Tien-tsin. There was also a large white fort outside the town about two miles off. The place was ,surrounded on thre3 sides by high hills. 1% e were taken into the gaol in side the town. A Frenchman died after we had been in the gaol about eight or nine days, and Sowar Prem Singh about three or four days after that. They both died from maggots eating into their flesh, and from which mortification ensued, The Mandarin in charge of the gaol took off my irons about ten days ago. The Chinese prisoners were very kind to us, cleansed and washed our wounds, and gave us what they had to eat. (True translation.) WALTER PANE, Captain Commanding Fano's Horse. Camp, Pekin, Oct. 13, 1860. EVIDENCE OP JOWALLA SING, DUFFALAR, IST TROOP FANE'S HORSE. When Messrs. hakes and Loch left our party for the purpose of seeing Sang-ko-lin-sin, there were Mr. Bowlby, Lieutenant Anderson, Captain Brabazon, Mr. De Norman, one man King's Dragoon Guards, one man Ist Sikh Cavalry and our own party of 17 men. We stood waiting for half an hour, when Lieutenant Anderson asked to be taken to where the other gentlemen were gone; he was told to remain till they came back. After another half hour the army assembled in large numbsrs and surrounded us, told us to get off our horses, and leading them to come with them. Thon, the whole army, as Lieutenant Anderson remarked, about 10,000 men, took us back to Tungchow, and made us rest for about a quarter of an hour, and give up our arms. They,then made us remount, and paraded us through the army, and then took us on the road to Pekin, and rested for that night in a joss -house. In the morning they again mounted us on our horses and took us to Pekin. In Pekin they made us dismount and fed us. They then took us through the city to a place about two miles beyond it ; they there made us dismount and gave us tents, the English officers and the natives separate. Then they took us away one by one and bound us lying on the stomach, with hands and feet tied behind the back. They kept us there in this position for three days. They gave us food three times, and that only a mouthful at a time. They then threw us, bound as we were, into carts, and took us, as I think, about 20 toss—the mules were trotting and galloping all night. We arrived in the morning at a fort,* and were there put into prison, confined in cages and load ed with chains. At that time we were seven in all.f I know nothing of the others. They were taken further on. We were kept in this place three days, so tightly bound with cords that we could not move, the sowars bound with one cord the others with two. At the first place we got nothing to eat, after that they gave us a little as before. After the first day at the second place,t. Lieutenant Anderson became delirious, and remained so, with a few lucid intervals, until his death, which occurred on the ninth day of his imprison ment. Two days before his death his nails and fingers burst from the tightness of the cords, and mortification set in, and the bones of his wrist were ex posed. While he was alive worms were generated in his wounds, and ate into and crawled over his body. They left the body there three days, and then took it away. Five days after his death a sowar named Ramdum died in the same state. His body was taken away immediately. Three days after this Mr. De Norman died. On the evening of the day of Lieut. Anderson's decease the cords were taken off our hands, but our feet were still kept bound, and from that ime we were better fed. Our feet were unbound two days after this, and kept so until our release yesterday evening. When Lieut. Andersen and our comrades called on us to help him by biting his cords, the Chinamen kicked us away. When we arrived at the joss house between Tung Chow and Pekin, Captain Brabazon and a French man went back, and Lieut. Anderson told us they were going to the Commander-in-Chief to give information and obtain our release. (True translatioz.) WALTER FANE, Captain, Commanding _ __ Fane'* Horse. SIR HOPE GRANT. WAR. OFFICE, DEC. 15. Mr. Secretary Herbert has this day received two despatches and their enclosures, of which the fol lowing are copies, addressed to him by Lieutenant- General Sir J. Hope Grant, G.C.8., Commanding her Majesty's Forces in China : No. 51. Head-quarters, Bivouac, outside Pekin, Oct. 9, Sir,—ln continuation of my letter of the 4th instant have the honour to report that, on the sth of October the allied forces advanced from Tungchow, leaving the heavy guns, tents, and baggage stored about three miles from that place. We halted for the night about three miles east of the north-east angle of Pekin, and the following morning resumed our march in a north-westerly direction, so as to pass along the northern face of the city, but out of gun-shot of the walls, and attack Sang-ko-lin-sin's army, which was supposed to be encamped directly in our front. The country about here is not good for cavalry, from the great number of trees, villages and hollow roads. I accord ingly despatched the Cavalry Brigade with two 6-pounders with mounted detachments, with orders to advance on the road leading to the Emperor's Palace at Yuen-min-Yuen, with a view of cutting off the retreat of the enemy in that direction. The French were on our left, while the English force moved along the out side of an old rampart which runs parallel to the north face of the city. At this time we received information that the Chinese army was in full retreat, having commenced moving the night before. I therefore sent a message to General de Montauban that I should advance at once to the Emperor's Palace. On the road, however, we came across the rearguard apparently of the enemy, with whom a few shots were exchanged before they fled towards the city. As they appeared to be in considerable force in the suburb, I determined on halting on the northern road to prevent their moving out in that direction. The French meanwhile, anxious to join is in our advance, struck off to their right, and, crossing the rear of our cohimn without either of us seeing the other, pushed on to the Palace without meeting any opposition, and occupied it about nightfall. The Cavalry Brigade had reached the Palace about two hours before this, and were there waiting for us to join them ; on their way they saw a body of the enemy's cavalry, but were unable to come up with them. On the following day Mr. Wade went to meet a Chinese Commissioner, and conveyed to him a memorandum from General de Montauban and myself, a copy of which I send herewith, as also Mr. Wade's report of his interview. The result of this has been that yesterday Messrs. Parkes and Loch, with one Sikh sowar and five Frenchmen (one officer and four soldiers) were brought into the English camp. The Chinese declare that these are all of the prisoners who were in Pekin, the rest having been conveyed some •d;stance into the interior; they have, however, been sen t for, and will be given up in the course of a few days. Messrs. Parkes and Loch have given the following account of their capture :—When Capt Brabazon and Mr. Loch left the army on the 18th September to recall Mr. Parkes' party, they proceeded at once to Lang-chau, where they experienced a short delay in collecting them all toge ther, and then set out to return. On arriving within a few hundred yards of the centre of the Chinese position, where they had left Col. Walker, they heard firing commence, and immediately their passage was barred by a large body of cavalry and infantry. the commander of whom informed them that, as firing had begun, he could not permit them to pass without Sang-ko-lin's orders. Considering that it would be almost impossible to cut their way through the large bodies which surrounded them, they decided on trust ing to the flag of truce which they carried. Accordingly Messrs. Parkes and Loch, accompanied by one Sikh orderly with a white flag, quitted the rest of the party to go and speak with Sang-ko-lin-sin ; while there they were surrounded and made prisoners, by order of Sang•ko-lin-sin himself, and sent into Pekin, where for several days they were treated with great severity. have O been nt e h n e 29th Sept. they were removed from the gaol, and since treated in a proper manner. • The rest of the party they know nothing of, beyond having heard Sang•ko-lin-sin, at the time of their capture, order the remainder to be seizedalswoealn.edtsaeknetnbaperkistoonTeursngin chow. The five Frenchmen given up Tungchow while walking about the street, and ignorant of what was going on. appear Pekin into a o t o The loss of the Empero r ' s Palace a ppears to have had a great effect on the Chinese authorities, who wh f o be now willing to acce de to our d emands, to which we have a n tb d lesclwhile only hi the we giving remain u p h of the ere, in r e t urn f or w hi ch ourhands re the city will be preserved for them. The heavy guns will arrive from Tungchow to-day, so that the Chinese will that we are prepared to enforce en our demands in the event of their deceiving us.---I have, &c., J. Lieut.G see e r al, Comimia°n?dEerGoltflthNeTFerces. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for War, &c. Camp, outside Teh-Sheng Gate, Oct. 8. Sir, —I have the honour to state that I went yesterday evening, at 5 o'clock, to a temple outside the Teh-Sheng gate, to meet Hang-ki, the deputy of the Prince of Kung, and that I communicated to him in the enclosed note the decision at which I had been instructed to say your Excel lency and General de Montauban had arrived. Beyond the rendition of our prisoners, which, as your Excellency was already aware, the Prince of Kung had * Showja, I think it is called. 1 eAuderson, De Norman, one duffad a r, four so wars . 4 : Outside the kings palace, about three miles from Pekin signified in correspondence should take place on the 8 ' Hang-ki could speak authoritatively upon nothing' He hoped to hear from the Prince by 4 o'clock on the Bth' at which hour the detenus' should be surrendered 011 honour.' After fully explaining to him the views of the •alli eci Commanders-in-Chief, as I understood them, I wrote a ° note enclosed, and, his clerks hating copied it in dupliot t ' s ' I returned to head-quarters. I have, '&C., THOMAS WADE, Chinese SeoreterY. His Excellency Sir Hope Grant, K.C.8., &c. --- NOTE ADDRESSED TO HANG -SI B A DEPUTY OF TUS PERIAL COMMISSIONER THE PRINCE OF KUNO, A - HANDED TO THAT OFFICER ON THE EVENING OF 11111 7TH OF OCTOBER. The undersigned has the honour to state that he 1111 been sent here (to the Hwa-ying-szo) by the Command ers. in-Chief of the allied forces. Their Excellencies have been given to understand, bi their Excellencies the Ambassadors of their respective nations, that his Imperial Highness the Prince of 1 0 , 4 Imperial Commissioner, has officially informed their Art cellenries that there is nothing to which he does not slot either in the treaties concluded the year before last, °I. the conventions negotiated this year at Tien-tsin. mark The Commanders-in-Chief have consequently 11 0 r° - to offer regarding the treaties, but unless the Chines° n ; vernment immediately send in to their respective O i l, the officers and subjects of the two Powers still inits their Excellencies will cause the capital city of Pekin to; stormed in order to show to those-who break faith 6 ' 11(1 injury to others that sooner or later their offence lc' punished. tact If, on the other hand, the Chinese Government send those now in its hands without delay, and at the 9° o time depute a competent officer to prepare the conven t , i° inu and other documents, their Excellencies the Allied A, sadors will name a day for the signature of the conventi°". the exchange of ratifications, and similar formalities. Late events, however, considered, it will not be log that faith should be placed at rand o m in the Chinese ' es , vernment or its people. It bec omes ex p e di ent to takell sures of precaution beforehand against evil that may • done. Before, therefore, their Excellencies enter Pew' e gate of the capital will have to be oc c u pi e d by a n escort tached from both armies. The C emman d ers -i n -Chief ,i decide which of the gates, and the Chi nese troops tv w , t o then required to fall back for the time being f r om the r their Excellencies choose to hold. This effected, if the officers and people of the capital, main quiet without giving trouble, as in the case of tsin and Tungchow, the allied forces will conduct thou; selves towards them as they have done towards the ofao° and people of those two cities. THOMAS WADE, Chinese Secret/0' (No. 52.) li Sir,—ln continuation of my despeaadtc.hcilloafrttehrels' Oct. 1 3 . have the honour to inform you that, on the 10th, I 01iw Att . reconnaisance of the walls of Pekin with General de taaban. Having selected the sites for the breaching WWII the works were immediately traced and , constructed , the batteries were armed, so as to be ready to open fire 01 noon to-day, in the event of the gate not being surren o• to us. This morning I sent some officers with Mr. Parkeg ll ti e arrange with the Chinese deputies for the surrender of gate of the city, which we had demanded of them. le endeavoured to make excuses, and delay, if possible , if surrender on various false pretences ; but were told in r e j P o that 12 o'clock was the hour that had been fixed, an d extension could be granted. Accordingll the eastern •th side d _gly _most gate on the nor' l i e the city has been this day occupied by the allied forces vr i t y out opposition, and a letter having been received froll as e Prince of Kung, announcing the readiness of the Cw - 00 0 Government to agree to all our terms, I have every to hope to be able shortly to announce that the carJ3r is at an end and peace concluded. Last night a French soldier and eight sowers of - 4 .0 Horse were surrendered t o us , h av i ng b een b roug ht /D I ; places where they had been confined, about 50 miles 4 :*".1 These men had all been treated with great severi t iol first, and they report the death of one French officer one soldier. also of Lieutenant Anderson of .Fane's and Mr. De Norman, First Attache to her Majesty's . 11 ' lion, and of two sowers of Fane's Horse. hy es The remainder of the prisoners are to be brought to-night or to-morrow morning, having been malls' great distance off. le This letter will be despatched by a special stes l3l 7 to Hong Kong, to overtake the mail, and I trust to be e 1P43 0 . add a postscript, giving the names of those who have vived.—l have, &c., J. HOPE GRANT, Lieutenant-Gene r4 ' Commander of the Forces. boo s Oct. l4.—The remaining prisoners have not yet , sent in, but the mail can longer be delayed. I. OUN7RY MARKETS. CAMBRIDGE—DEc. 15. l M There was a limited supply of wheat at market ts a t ,cBs with a healthy trade, white moving off at 50 s to o red, 40s to 50s per 36 stone. There was a good dew - 0 for barley ; malting, 38s to 45s ; grinding. 30s %Of per 30 stone. Oats at 22s to 28s for new ; old oats, 28s. Beans in scarce supply, and unchanged—Et to 36s ; old, 518 to 54s per 38 stone ; peas, 48s to tr A 36 stone. White cloverseed, 86s to 89s; red, 46s to 0 0 ' qr. ; tares, 14s to 15s per bushel. NORWICH—DEC. 15. 0 11 ' To-day there was a firm trade in wheat for all dry ties, at is to 2s over former rates, and inferior met s 4,14 sale at the same rates. The supply was limited. ' s o. was a fair supply of barley, and prices were much the for all descriptions. A few samples of oats were 8 1 ° with a fair trade. Flour in favour of the seller. $B l White wheat 62s to 63s I Red wheat 520 Malting barley....4ls to 44s Chevalier barley.. •3 8 s 10 30 0 Distilling do.. ....30s to 32s I Oats. 268 0 Flour, 40s to 41s Od per sack from the miller. YORK—DEC. 15. ttile tli The supply of wheat was short to-day, with a fair 6 A t hi ance of factors and farmers. The trade was firm, an ; fol currencies were at is to 2s advance on previous rat s o i, wheat. Barley was scarce, and is to 2s above late f e w Oats and beans were a fair show, and supported th e treme rates of last Saturday. 3 9 Wheat red 45s to b4s 1 Oats.... 24s t 0 Oa White do .55s to 62s Beans 52s ° I ...0 Barley .33s to 40s Peas "' ' .....3 48 to 0 • Malt, 70s to 72s per qr. ; rye, 42 s per qr. ; flour, 49s per sack. LEICESTER—DEc. 15. sf ) The supply of wheat t o -d a y was on a mo d era t e scal t :l /10 a fair attendance ; prices is higher. White wheat,`s7 o _7, fot —red, 47s to 69 s p er 36 s t one; a very mo d era te she barley, grinding, 35s to 37s ; malting, 40s to 42s per psi oats, 24a to 40s per 24 stone. Beans—old, 56s to new 48s to 52s per 38 stone. Fins flour, 48s I Seconds, 46s I Thirds, 44s pel_____2o 00/1/e. STAMFORD—DEC. 11 h:6 13 A small supply of wheat at market yesterday, for vl 4 0 1 the farmers obtained Is to 2s over former prices for the v fo t pies of both old and new. The demand was moderate barley, and last week's prices were exceeded 28 per qr. 0 Wheat .. ..46s to 59s I Oats.. 24s 0 boo White do 50s to 64s I Beans 4Be to 1 Barley ... ..38s to 43 s I D itto, old ........52stoJ ious cod might h da a y v s e s i h n c a e d a ra t t o h s e t s a s i e tp r t y of e f q i‘ A u l e i‘ n fi i c . r e e ß s r u lv b broke i k c e r h e o r u tw e of Bordeaux. F or t unate l y there i t n lo g a w nd h , or a e n i d t o th ri e gi fi n r a s te N d v . as TehonefllnoseCal istooti, mated at about 12,100 f. sr iADVF:HTIhIEMENT.] - Pills an d medicine invaria bl y grava te and perpetuate diseas es; their anno y a nce, 00 0 p pa le r n t t o y f o f the help building a appointment, and expense may be avoided by per A in indifferent health sending only their address A t ° OO/ S. Barry, EN., 77, Regent- s t reet, W., Lon d on , an d 000 will receive gratis and free by post the " INVAnID s ea .:VIDE," or Natural Restorer, without medicine or fies, refreshing sleep, to the most enfeebled, insuring , nse, of perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound Iti n _, s ' . ol ls nausea, epilepsy, paralysis, the '`;; - ii si tig 0. indigestion (dyspepsia), constipation, liver nrnP,,,%,001" pa i p cough, asthma, consumption, dropsy, flatulency, 01° ,10 debility, nervousness, d y se ntery, biliousness, fevers, sore throa - s, catarrh s ' 00, n ono noises in the ears, rheumatism ( gout, impurities, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeplessness, &edit'' , r. 0 310. tation, heartburn, headache, despondency, cramps' s PT a ldo sinking,, fits bronchitis "Unquestionably ' the safest to ' IRTHS BLENCOWE.—On the 1 8 4th inst., at . Danny, the wife of G. Blencowe,M.P., of a son. doh KENNEDY.—On the 9th inst., at 14, Prince's-CW.O3.r Prince's-gate, the wife of Colonel Clark Kennedy' of a daughter. Cay tler MACCLESFIELD.—On the 14th inst , at Shirbuill 1 ,40 Tetsworth, Oxfordshire, the Count ess . of Macele sfie a son. MARRIAGES. ce* AVERILL—AVERILL.—On the 15th inst., at St. An dre w' Holborn, Isaac Averill, E s q., o f Broa dway, shire, to Sarah, daughter o f th e l a te Stephen 1 of the same plhee. f gg r f MACKENZIE—CAMPBELL.—On the 11th inst., a a rt., Abbot's, Kensington, Si r K enne th S. Mackenzie, Taw of Gearrloeh, to Eila Frederica, second daughter o late Walter F. Campbell, of Islay. 1)16 ATHS. GRAHAM —On the 10th inst„ atWandsworth, J. Grabi ll* Esq., formerly of Liverpool, aged 72. gir LEGAnD.—On the 10th i ns t., at Ganton, Yorksh ire/ Thomas Digby Legard, Bar t., aged 58. MASON.—On the 9th inst. a t Rople7, t Alresford, . 1111-t the Rev. T. W. Mason, M. , A., aged °l6. RAVIS.—On the 11th inst., at Westow - hill, Upper St)r* wood, Mr. Geo. Ravin, aged 32. RUNDALL.—On the 10th inst., atTolfree-house, 1101100 Thomas Rundall, Esq., aged 61. dir Youiva.----On the 14th inst., at Cambridge-terrace Cas tlar park, Susanna Maria Young, of Bacheborough ' Ireland, aged 91. r __,,,,, u• LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO Y 0 a d N o. 112, st ra nd, Printer, at THE bust °Mee, No. 112, S t " -d, in the Precinct of the Savoy, IA the County 1 Aildd le"' Monday, December 17, MO, -L' I Is now ME At a tio n 0 , His I It waB That lind a rn bide of Propose • That Pain, those co Without spired bi of the ai Propose, see° Th atL . Lion of ; kvisurpa: His His His His His T } e The Fielc Lieu Gene The gell°22lerai Sig e tt ilL° e nit r e a el l Yil S iil ii t t. - .ett l e 2 t ra .. l o l Sit (• 4 e Sir en letlt•-G 0 , • en I,Ptain Clo * Pe W'cl 0, r Dun Ma t arn Fi Tv; •r-Gei `'Earl lei grace yrare !il-Marl q t,,TI. th e R q"'onel P. It!ieral Si] hlty Bru onel R A ; 11tfialant. 4etlt Alicl4 al B ' l • _, w La =-~:, Bar I