The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-25 00:00:00

ser— "Nothing could exceed the hospitality with which the officers and men were received by the community of Canton ; houses were placed at their disposal, k and every one seemed to exceed his neighbour in m comfortable. The force was immediataelying the troops landed,ghhsbeing and quartered entirely in the new factories,fie the (e. The piled in the garden near the En g lish Consoo house, where a Chinese guard is usually stationed, a nd was- made the main guard, from its positionaeten es, entirely which em bounds ing the street of the thir teen the factories to the northward, f and also being at the end of Old China-street, whichPantes the new and old to the westward. Other factories from the 'longs se guards were also established, aad regular chains of sentries, most of them double, rendered surprise im possible. It may be here as well to remark the extraordinary i mproveme nts made by the Chinese since the late war, more no t only in the construction of their batteries, but especially in their armanents. Not a gun was mounted except on a regular ship or garrison carriage, after a European model, and as capable of elevation ordepres sion as our own ; many of the guns, moreover, were furnished with wooden sights for correcting the disport, exactly, as was remarked by Colonel Brereton, upon the principle of . those invented during the last war by Gen. Congreve ; numbers of shells were found (evidently not of Chinese manufacture) ; much of the ammunition was regularly made up in cartridges ; rockets were of J. much larger size than those used four years ago . , , a , many other improvements show that some foreir ier must have been employed. Report (a greater liar,. _i°w ever, in China, than elsewhere), says that all t his is the work of an American, who is naturalised and resident in the city of Canton. The night of our arrival passed with vigilance on our side, and with quietness on the part of the Chinese : the es the Go whole affair had been so sudden they did not know s, which way to turn ; besides, trusting in our k vernment and people had thought themwseealvens up, and theure. On the following morning the . guns were drawn ot to salute i troops under arms to receive Keying, but n him, the British: Plenipotentiary having insisted that Keying should wait upon him a within the factories or, if he the English Consulate, did not, that he would not see him at all. To this, to him humiliate ng proposition, Keying at last reluctantly agreed, and the hour was fixed. Time passed, and two of the principal mandarins having arrived without there being any signs of Keying's approach, it became evident that his delay was intentional; the troops were dismissed, and when Keying did arrive he was received at the landing-place by Captains Kennedy and Sargent, who conducted him through a crowd of idle lookers-on to the Consulate. Keying felt his situation bitterly, and although he be haved with dignity and composure, his mortification at being obliged to wait upon Sir John Davis in the sight of his own populace, was beyond his powers of conceal ment. The conference lasted some hours, and in the afternoon it transpired that the Plenipotentiary had sub mitted to Keying the only conditions upon which he would consent to suspend the operations of the force, and that he had granted him until 6 P.M. the next day for consideration. During the day a slight disturbance took place in the outskirts of the factories to the west ward, but it was soon quelled, and two of the mob pub licly flogged in the streets ; an officer's guard was posted near Mowqua-street, the scene of the disturbance. It was thought advisable, on the morning of the s carried caed sth,to w entirely gu from the city to the central tower would com mand the passage of the river. Accordingly, hi at 9 A.M., the fort was blown up by Colonel P Ipotts and the engineers, covered by a strong party in the armed boats of the Vulture. Reports were current all day of at tacks being meditated by the troops end populace, and of double-dealing on the part of the authorities, in con sequence of which every precaution was taken, the streets barricaded, and the guard-rooms rendered defen sible by Captain Bruce, the Adjutant-General. At five o'clock in the afternoon the Associate Gentlemen Vo lunteers were inspected by General D'Aguilar; 100 well armed British gentlemen appeared on parade, and the defence of the factories, aided by a detachment of troops, was assigned to them during the assault of the city the following morning. Keying now requested an extension of the time allowed for consideration till the next morn ing, and Sir John Davis granted it to him. This evening Captain Bruce s attention was drawn towards a large building at the back of the factories, and on entering it he found it occupied by a strong party of Chinese troops ; many of them escaped, but upwards of 40 were brought in prisoners with their arms. Captain Bruce had a narrow escape, for one man, drawing his sword, nade a sudden rush at him, and was seized in the act of striking. Since the previous day the most indefatigable exertions had been making by Captain Macdougall and Commander Thompson to bring the Espiegle close to the city, and they so far succeeded that they had brought her up far beyond where any ship of the same draught of water had ever been before ; but she was still two miles distant. Her boats were, however, armed, and, with her crew and marines, were available for the attack. At daybreak on the 6th Captain Clark Kennedy, the Quar termaster-General, and Lieutenant Da Costa, of the Engineers, succeeded in mounting the city wall in two places, and ascertaining that they were of sufficient width fit the proposed operations. At six o'clock all the arrangements for the assault of the city at ten A.M. were completed, and the following general order was issued, detailing the plan of the attack:— " GENERAL ORDER. " Head -quarters, British Factories, Canton, " April 6, 1847, 6 o'clock A.M. " The following general order is issued to troops under the expected contingency of their being called upon to commence the attack on the city of Canton at ten o'clock this morning. This attack is to be under the immediate direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Brereton, C.B. and K. 8., commanding the Royal Artillery. Two parties, one headed by Colonel Brereton, the other by Major Aldrich, R.E., each having a detachment of Royal Sap pers and Miners, commanded by an officer of the Royal Engineers, and a flank company of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment, with such additional support as will be de tailed by the Assistant-Adjutant-General, will march out for the purpose of taking possession of the Southern or Petition-gate and the Western-gate of that part called the New City. Colonel Brereton's party will attack the Western, and Major Aldrich's party the Southern-gate; and as the latter is more distant than the former, Major Aldrich's part will set off first, in order that they may arrive at their respective points about the same time, Major Aldrich's party to cross the creek which forms the eastern boundaay of the British factories at the first bridge, and to proceed along the street which runs close along the wall of the New City, taking care, on passing, to stop up the two small entrances or sallyports which enter the city from the river, in order to prevent all in gress or egress by them. Ile will proceed to the Southern or Petition-gate, and having taken it, will es tablish himself and make a lodgment upon the rampart above. Colonel Brereton, with his party, will set off im mediately after Major Aldrich's, and crossing the creek by a second bridge, he will proceed along Looking-glass street, close under the western wall, until he arrives at the western gate of the New City, and having taken it, he will effect a lodgment with the troops at his disposal upon the rampart above the gateway; and the two lodg ments having been thus effected above the two gates, a communication along the ramparts by the force em ployed is to be established. The guns will then be raised and placed at the guard-houses above the gates, and, by means of these guns and the 24-pounder rockets, the bombardment of the city is to be forthwith com menced. After Colonel Brereton's party shall have loft the factories, Captain Macdougall has undertaken to send a party of seamen and marines, under Commander Thompson, of her Majesty's sloop Espiegle, by the second bridge at the south end of Looking-glass-street, and, passing through the archway in the Spur-wall, they will scale that part of the southern wall of the New City which lies between the Spur-wall and the sallyports above alluded to; they will then form on the top of the rampart, ready to assist either Major Aldrich or Colonel Brereton, as may be required. At the same time a fourth party, composed of five companies of the 42d Regiment Madras Native Infantry, under Major Fitzgerald, con ducted by Captain Clark Kennedy, Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General, will cross the creek by the first bridge, and, marching along the street that runs sout h of the Joss-hous e , they will proceed as speedily as possible to the Petition-gate, support Major Aldrich's party, and occupy the street which leads from that gate to the river, immediately stopping all the avenues which lead to it from the eastward, and thus secure completely , the eastern flank of our position. Previous to the de parture of the troops from the factories, Capt. Mac dougall, R.N., has undertaken to order the steamer Pluto to run in as close as possible to the abovementioned street, leading from the Petition-gate to the river, and which is situated near the Dutch Folly fort, and when the Major- General shall make a signal by hoisting a union-jack on the top of the British factories, she will open as heavy a fire as possible on that part of the town situated to the east ward of the Petition-gate, in order to check any attempt that may be made to oppose Major Aldrich or to turn our flank from that quarter. At the same time Captain Macdougall has undertaken to have the gun-boats of the Vulture, under Lieutenants Coote and Pascoe, anchored as close as possible to Mowqua- street and Shoe-lane, and as soon as the Pluto opens her fire, they will also open as heavy a fire as possible on that part of the suburbs which lies to the westward of the factories, particularly up Shoe-lane, &c., in order to prevent any attempt that may be mad e t o turn our pos i t i on from that quarter. It ttslikewi se C apta i n M acdougall ' s intention to have the river entirely cleared of boats all the way from Shoe lane to the Dutch Folly, which will entirely protect the rear of our position. The Associated Gentlemen Volun teers, assisted by a detachment of the 18th R oya l I r i s h Regiment, st at i oned in theCfo nsoo - house, and a detach ment of the 42d Regiment of stationed at Mowqua-street guardhouse, N at i ve I n f antry, -laouse, will mainta in the stockaded posts already establisheduai fbr the protection of the factories. Lieute nant-Colonel Cowper, with four it w ill remain companies of the 18 th Royal Irish Regiment, under arms in the facto ries, close to the Major-General ready to a V ance as a reserve to any pc, where their • services may be required; the tops of the iactories to be occupied by the Associated Gentlemen Volunteers fcr the purr se of putting down any attempts by Chinamen from the roofs of their houses to annoy the troops a d_ vancing through the streets to the attack. These arrange ments to be completed iainiediarely after the men have had their breakfasts, so that the flag which is to be con sidered as the signal for the Pluto and the boats of the Vulture to commence firing, as well as for the troops to march out for t h e attac k , may b e h o i ste d at t en o ' c lock. Between ,ight and nine o'clock, however, it was notified that Keying had conceded Sir John Davis's demands, and the assault was countermanded—thus averting the bombardinsnt of the city by little more than an hour. For the remainder of the day a portion of the troops were employed in pulling down the various buildings, so often complained of, that had been erected against the garden walls, &c., and the removal of which was in con formity alike with the old treaty and the new conven tion. A house, in front of which an officer (Captain Sargent, aide-de-canap to Sir J. Davis) had been se verely injured by a large stone thrown from the - window, was rased to the ground, and the heap of ruins remained at once a memorial and a warning to the people of Canton of the punishment inflicted and due fo r cowardly attacks upon individuals. The following da: r (the 7th of April) the barriers were removed, and th Corsair sailed with the 42d Regiment Madras Native In - fantry for Hong-Kong; but towards the evening som delay on the part of the Chinese authorities, or an at - tempted evasion of their engagemen ts, put Sir Join Davis's firmness to the proof, and, determined to shov r that he was equally prepared now as yesterday to enforc his demands, General D'Aguilar ordered the barricade a to be instantly re-erected, and the troops to be held .n readiness during the night. This method of negotui. tion was crowned with complete succ ess, and the .pnin in question—the punishment o f the Fuhshan within the factories—was at once yielded. Ey.cly ti d o morning (the Bth) three of the Fuhshan voters it, brought to the factories and punished 9' the Coto house, in presence of the British as vo , Tel as of the Chinese authorities; and every demand of o ie J. Davis having been acceded to, General D'A'guilar made immediate preparations for w'Ahdrawin the troops, with the c;ex ception of a crimpany 'of the 18th Regiment, under Captain Graves, and P, few sappers, who are to remain un'.il the improvements are carried out, as well as to F,uard agains',, any sudden outbreak of the mob upon the dQpartr,re of the expedition. Shortly after noon the force re,-embarked, and arrived at Hong-Kong the following day. Meantime the position of the town of Victorir.<Hong- Kong), left almost defenceless during th e abeence of the forces, was becoming perilous, and the drAiger was not, the less imminent or unpleasant freak its indefioitc nature. It was ascertained that th e Triad societies were • roused into activity by this opporttnity of ridding Hong , Kong of the " foreign devils," and were organizing the L . Chinese population of the place. Th e ne ighbouring islands and mainland are the resort of the most deter ; miner!, thieves and pirates in China, who frequently ex . tend their attacks into the very harbour of Hong-Kong itself. The handful of troops and police left on the island were unequal to any prolonged defence or guard of a straggling town, stretching four miles along the water side, and commanded in every direction from the hills behind, which afford the means both of unseen approach and secure retreat to the desperadoes. Happily, the provisional government and military command of the island were left in the hands of the Hon. Major Carne, a host in himself, and equal to every emergency. Had the return of the troops from Canton been deferred but one day more, the European inhabitants would have been called upon to watch and guard, relieving the fatigued troops, and the ladies and treasure removed to the European barracks—a defensible position where the troops would have been concentrated. Such are the details of an expedition of which the naval and military operations were as boldly planned as they were promptly ard vigorously executed. The policy and prudence of the expedition can be but briefly alluded to. Those involved in its responsibility of course applaud their own measure ; while the un certainty of its effect upon their position in Canton fills the European residents there (personally exposed to it) with much anxiety and uneasiness. Time can a l one justify the measure, or otherwise, by proving whether it has produced a salutary effect upon the turbulent po pulace of Canton. Meanwhile these few plain facts present themselves forcibly to view. The force employed on the occas i on, w hil e just suffi• w went to inflict frightful destruction by its distant mis siles, was totally inadequate to the maintenance of its position after the destruction of the city and factories by fire, and thereafter the retreat of the troops and whole foreign community (Americans included) to Hong• Kong and Macao was inevitable. The providential preservation, while unprotected, of the foreign residents in Canton during that critical in terval after the capture of the Bogue Forts was known to the Chinese Government and before the British force had arrived off the factories, must ever be a source of unmingled thankfulness. No community were ever pro bably exposed, unconsciously to themselves, to such im minent danger, for no other Government probably would have hesitated to seize, decapitate, or hold as hostage every British subject, after such an open and unan nounced act of hostility. The chief object of the expedition, as publicly stated, was to obtain redress for an outrage committed upon two British seamen six months ago; and for which outrage, be it observed, the two seamen and their cap tain were punished and fined at the time by the Bri tish authorities, and satisfaction then given to the Chinese. None of the terms of the convention have up to this moment been carried into effect; not a workman can be procured for love or money to erect the walls or build ings agreed upon. The river boats have returned, if possible, in greater crowds than ever to their former stations, causing the same obstruction as before. A party of five gentlemen walking in the most respectable street in the immediate neighbourhood of the factories, were ten days ago insulted, saluted with stones, and but for a timely retreat the fracas might have had a more serious result. Mr. Consul Macgregor a few days after was also attacked and kicked, his companion in defence being obliged to knock one of his assailants down, they themselves retreating hastili. It is manifestly absurd, however, to suppose that the points named in the convention, to which therefore little attention is paid, were the true objects of the expedition The lives of the whole foreign community would never have been so imminently endangered, the sacrifice of thousands upon thousands of peaceable or rebellious Chinese, with the frightful sequel of misery and rapine attending the destruction of a huge city, could never seriously have been contemplated, for such comparatively insignificant objects; and it is therefore the general con viction that some concession of importance worthy of such sacrifices and risks has been gained, and which it may not at present be discreet to divulge. Till this is known, jud;tuent upon the expedition cannot be passed. The unqualified approval of the whole expedi tion is, however, somewhat unreasonably claimed from the British residents in Canton by Sir John Davis, upon the plea that they have obtained all they demanded. This plea is unfairly urged ; the residents were taken completely by surprise by the presence (against all pro bability) of an armed British force in their dwellings, by the sight of preparation for the immediate burning of the city, and inevitably also of their factories and pro perty. During the brief three days of the Plenipoten tiary's stay, the preservation of their own lives and of their property, in an emergency when the consideration of insignificant details of streets, and lanes, and boats, could scarcely with calmness be entered upon, occupied all the time and attention they could spare from their entertainment and reception of the force, and from the attendance as an armed volunteer association to assist the troops in the attack. The policy that will not truckle to the Chinese cannot be too strongly recom mended or approved of, but whether this expedition wor thily carried out that policy has still to be decided.lt is the universal belief of the Chinese populace that our sole object by these and previous demonstrations, is to obtain entrance to the city. Our peaceable and hasty retreat without palpable accomplishment of this object (which our small force was qaite unable to attempt) is now attributed by them to tear and not forbearance on our part. Hence the uneasiness felt by the British residents in Canton, from the probably exasperated feelings of the populace dangerously betraying themselves after the re moval of the troops. In one month more, the Admiral and fleet, with two additional regiments, will be here, forming a force so imposing as to have carried every point, that of entrance to the city included, and to have selected the guilty for punishment, without recourse to violence. We take the following additional particulars from the Chinese Repository for April, 1847: APRIL I.—This evening a party of troops of the 18th Royal Irish and 42d Madras Native Infantry embarked at Hong-Kong on board her Majesty's steamer Vulture, the Honourable Company's steamer Pluto, and the chartered steamer Corsair. His Excellency Sir John Francis Davis is known to have been engaged till a late hour that evening in council with the heads of the prin cipal departments of the Government; and the Pluto, which had been lying for some weeks off the factories, had only just returned from Canton, bringing down Major Aldrich and Colonel Phillpotts, who had been up to the city reconnoitring. In Canton it was only whis pered that they would shortly return. APRIL 2.—Before dawn this morning, the three steamers, with her Majesty's brig Espilgle, and some boats, were under way. On passing the forts at the Bogue troops were landed, and most of the guns spiked, little or no resistance having been made, for the Chinese had been taken wholly by surprise. Oa Saturday morning, the 3d, rumours reached Can ton of what had been done at the Bogue, and an official report is said to have been made to Keying by some of his own officers. By nine o'clock, with the aid of glasses, from the tops of the factories the steamers were seen moving up the river towards the provincial city. All the guns in the forts along the banks of the river shared the same treatment as those at the Bogue—not excepting those in the French Folly fort off the south-east corner of the city, and those in the little red round fort opposite the factories. Every one seemed to be taken by surprise. It was said that even the British Consul had no certain (official) information of what was about to transpire. About noon his Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., landed from the Pluto, with which the Corsair had been anchored off the British Consulate, while the Vulture and the Espiegle were left at Whampoa. In the course of the afternoon the troops were landed in front of the new factories, in which they were to have their guar- ters. A small detachment was stationed in the Con soo-house, at the head of Old China -street, and guards elsewhere, so as to command all the avenues to the factories. As yet nothing transpired to inform the public what was the end and aim of all the extraordinary move ments then in progress, while all manner of rumours and reports were flying in every direction. The excitement and the anxiety were considerable in certain quarters, but night came on, and all was quiet. The Chinese Governmental guards at several posts had disappeared, and the heavy tread and challenge, " Who euarn ' ° oti' "r, .vi watchmen, th the beat of their b ;Tees there ?" were h ear d d ur i ng the n i ght watches. but told however, were nob and tdistu d r r b u e m d s , the hours of the night in the usual manner. [Here follows a Government Notification (No. 2), them s C ige roops in d " George D Aguilar, Major General commanding' hina; which appeared in The Sun of yesterday.] No. 3. jointi,y with "GOVERNMENT PRoc LA „ &-eT°4lwang, chief " Yeh, territorial commissioner, these superintendent of the commissariat.; and judicial commissioner, 84c., of Canton, instructions fur the purpose of quieting the hea:utseof the people. " To-day, it having been reported that steamers h a d entered the river and come up to the .ity, we immedi ately made careful inquiry, and took the proper action thereon. As all nations have been in the enjoyment of free commercial intercourse, all enjoy quiet repose, and we conceive that there can be no cause tor solicitude. " Moreover, there are near the city tens of thou sands of militia connected with the colleges, who are banded together, and have in times of peace been trained and disciplined. " They have strength, are acquainted with the military art, and are prep bred alike for peace or war. Never have they givtli rise to troubles. This we have known ever since we first came to Canton. You, soldiers and feoro„, ought to abide in your own places, and, as you -:a.ve always done, mutually protect and defend each Other. If lawless vagabonds take advantage of the occa sion to create trouble, and you are unable to remain in ..the quiet possession of your property, we will seise the d isturbers, and instantly punish them without mercy or 11 !pity. Let each tremblingly obey. These are our T .ressing commands. April 3, 1847. " To be posted up at the thirteen factories.' SABBATH, APRIL 4.—Early in the morning it was generally understood that there would be a conference at the British Consulate between the two Commissioners, Kt eying and Sir J. F. Davis. At eleven o'clock, A.3L, t he appointed hour for the meeting, the troops, with Artillery-, &c., were drawn up for his reception, when only two of his subalterns, Chan Changling and Pwan tiz'shing, arrived; and as it was supposed that they came only in Keying's stead and not to announce his ap proach, the troops were removed, so that on his Ex cellency's arrival there was only the guard at the Con ! sulate to receive him. He was accompanied by Hwang Ngantung and others, and the conference lasted about three hours. During the day great crowds of people astiembled in the streets adjacent to the factories, and were exceedingly noisy and clamorous. The following memorandum was furnished (we know not from whom) to Sir J. F. Davis, before Keying's arrival at the Consulate;,we borrow it from the China Mail : " No. 4. " WISHES AND VIEW OE THE BRITISH RESIDENTS AT CANTON. " Ist. A distinct recognition of their right to go such distance into the surrounding country as may be tra versed either by land or by water in one day out and home, and full protection on their perambulations from insults and attacks by the populace. " 2. A space of ground of about 50 acres at Honan, or is some other convenient part of the suburbs, for the erection of warehouses and dwelling-houses. " 3. A site for a church and a churchyard for British residents. —.17 47A site for a burial-ground for the Parsee com munity, either on Danes, or French island, of an area of 40,000 square feet. "5. A bridge, to be thrown across the passage of Hog- lane, to connect the two factory gardens. " 6. A cook house for Lascars in Hog-lane. "7. The railing-in of Lower China-street, and the lower part of Hog-lane, and the garden walls to be kept free from Chinese buildings, excepting the military and police stations already erected. " 8. Removal of the stationary boats which at present encumber the avenue to the Factory gardens from the river side. " British Consulate, Canton, April 3,1847." Divine service was held at eleven o'clock, A. 31., as usual, but the attendance was small. About two o'clock a party of the military were called out to repress the mob, and to drive them back from the space in front of Old and New China-streets, through the avenue leading from the south end of Tehhing-kii (or Danish Hong) into Lwanhing-street, where Captain Sargeant received a blow on his temple from a stone thrown by one of the mob. These proceedings created no small excitement. Major Aldrich and Major-General D'Aguilar were both upon the spot. The stone or brickbat was said to have been thrown from a house in Lwanhing-street, which was forced open ; and, as all the inmates " pro fesssed total ignorance, an ill-locking fellaw was dragged out and flogged at the door ; and another, who had been seized by Major Aldrich's party for a similar offence, was taken to the gate of the British Consulate, and there received a dozen lashes. The excitement during the remainder of the afternoon was great; and as the numbers of the mob constantly increased they became more and more vociferous. At length orders were given to the sentinels, if they could not seize them; to fire on any and all who were seen in the act of throwing stones or brickbats. As the dark ness of evening came on the clamour and noise died away, and we are not aware that any shot was fired, or any Chinese or foreigner injured, except in the cases above named. MONDAY, APRIL s.—Soon after daylight an armed party was sent down the river to demolish the principal parts of French Folly, which was blown up, and the guns in the Dutch Folly spiked. After the troops had breakfasted, they were served with ammunition, pistols were loaded, the artillery, &c., were all put in readiness for action. The Corsair arrived from Whampoa with additional troops; the Pluto got up her steam, and most people were expecting an immediate attack on the city. At this juncture, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock, A.m., the following circular came out:— " - No. 5. " British Consulate, April 5. " I have been directed by his Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary to inform you, that as a considerable portion of the troops may be employed to-morrow in coercive measures against the city, it becomes necessary for you to be prepared for defence, in the event of an attack being made on the foreign factories by the popu lace.—l have the honour to be, &c., " FRANCIS C. - IkiIACGREG OR." Fast boats and lorchas, and everything of the sort, were now in great demand. Books, treasure, &c., were put on board. All the streets and avenues leading to the factories were barricaded. Guns, swords, and all sorts of ammunition were in requisition. Still some, who could speak very confidently, declared that " every thing would most assuredly be amicably settled." Great numbers of the Chinese, perhaps all who had it in their power, removed from the vicinity of the factories; and a few of the foreigners, including most of the ladies, went on board ship at Whampoa. In the evening the gentlemen volunteers, comprising nearly the whole of the British community, were in spected by Major-General D'Aguilar, " who explained to them that, in the event of operations being commenced against the city next day, ho confidently relied on their protecting the factories from any attack on the part of the mob, and that he would leave with them 25 men of the Royal Irish and an equal number of the 42d." During the evening a small party of armed Chinese was found secreted in one of the buildings in the rear of the Factories, and not far from Consoo-house, nearly 40 of whom were taken prisoners and sent to one of the guard stations ; the rest escaped, leaving their arms be hind them. These proved to be a part of the " impe rial forces" who on the evening of the 3d got jostled out of their place in the Consoo ; and for the night they were safely housed in one of the upper rooms in Minqua's Hong. In the course of this day and evening several placards appeared on the walls of the city and streets, three of which we subjoin. No. 6, denouncing Keying, we borrow from the China Mail; Nos. 7 and 8 have been translated for us by a friend:— " No. 6. " DENUNCIATION OF KEYING. " The English have rebelled against us, disobeying our laws and bringing disorder and injury on the ' Flowery Nation.' Keying's heart is inwardly inclined towards them; ho disregards our families, and, trampling on the people, he thereby degrades the nation. His crime deserves to be punished with death: it is therefore desirable that every one of us should exert himself, that all uniting together we may set fire to his palace, and then cast his dead body into the street. To do this is not exceeding the law. " Twankang, 27th year, 2d moon, 20th day. (April 5, 1847.) " An appeal from the whole province. " No. 7. " FROM THE MILITIA AND GENTRY OF CANTON. " It has been represented that the foreigners have long boasted of their intention to enter the city, contriving means to levy and collect duties on the vessels of all na tions. In consequence of a late controversy about pass ing affairs, they have at length ventured to collect from lliangshan and Singau a thousand or more outlaws, speak ing the native tongue, but clothed in a foreign dress, who proceeding directly up the river of Canton, have burned and destroyed the forts. They have taken possession of the foreign factories, and congregated in the offices. They then constrained the authorities to allow them money, and extorted from them to the amount of some tens of thousands of dollars. Those truly foreigners were no more than about a hundred. By these pro ceedings the citizens became greatly alarmed. Lawless vagabonds of this sort are often thus plotting against the interests of the people, and audaciously contrive to league together in order to enforce compliance with their requisitions. They therefore commit their ravages upon the inhabitants residing both within and without the city. The great body of the people and the soldiers are not able to restrain their indignation at such proceedings. On the night of the 18th instant (April 3d) the gentry were all engaged in notifying the country militia at the places of assembling to be in readiness against the time appointed. The citizens from all parts of the city were also to be on the alert and prepared to exert their strength, proclaiming to the people to come from all quarters to exterminate and kill the villains. Let them take these false traitors, dressed in foreign clothes, and cut them off completely, and not allow them to proceed a step into the city. This is the decree of the great body of the citizens. Let it be observed without tardi ness or reluctance. It is thus urgently enjoined. The gentry of the city generally unite with the militia in this representation." "No. S. " FROM THE GENTRY, &C., OF CANTON. " Whereas we have heard of opposition to the autho rities, and not permitting them and the aggressors to dwell under the same Heavens, it is not possible that both should subsist together. The English barbarians take occasion to excite trouble and make a great display of arms. By public consent they have taken possession of and occupy the river side of a tract of ground as a place for trade—in all, thirteen separate hangs. They wish to build a temple for public worship, and also across the river in Honan, to take possession of a tract of ground, and to build a fort. There have lately been foreign soldiers measuring off the ground for a site. Our citizens having met to take the matter into conside ration, immediately they opened a thundering fire of artillery upon them, by which many persons were in jured. In such as this there is no law nor principle of justice. The whole body of the people can only gnash their teeth with rage and indignation. Now the great body of masons and carpenters in the two cities (the old and new) of Canton, have held a public consultation, and have agreed together that if the English undertake the prosecution of their works as aforesaid, the men employed in these trades shall none of them be permitted to engage to complete their works on their own responsibility. And if at Hong- Rona, Macao, or Whampos, there should be men who are willing to undertake it, the people of our two trades will make it their business to seareh out every workman of this sort by name and kill him, and to notify the inha• bitants of the district to burn up the dwelling of every man who ventures to assume such a responsibility, which will be done without the least delay. This among the citizens of the capital it is considered the reasonable duty of every faithful and obedient person to seek to have carried into effect. The Emperor, hearing and knowing of it, will also certainly afford some additional com mendation and encouragement. It behoves us to regu late our minds and to chastise those who refuse to com ply. It will by no means answer to be inconstant in our purpose, coveting the wealth of these rebels and aggres sors. The citizens of Canton have issued this notifica tion. If any persons venture to tear it down, that is, any vile traitors, the citizens will have them seized and sent to the office of the Kwangchau fu. Let such citizens assemble at the public office and they will each receive a reward of two dollars, certificate money." TUESDAY, APRIL 6.—General orders had been issued to the troops; a movement was to be made on the " city of Rams" at daylight, unless the assent to certain "rea sonable demands" were gained by that hour ; the recon noitring had been completed ; the attack was to be made at three points simultaneously 1 one party was to mount the walls at the south-west and south-east corner of the city, while the Pluto was to take her station mid way between, when, at the given signal, to be run up at the British Consulate, the work was to begin. At day break some of the officers were on the walls; and had the signal been given, and had the bombardment been driven on for a few hours—but—but the assent came, and the following was proclaimed by circular in the course of the forenoon t— " No. 9. " GOVERN3IENT NOTIFICATION. " Diplomatic Department. "His Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., has the satisfaction to announce that at the last moment, and when actually awaiting the assault on their city, the Canton authorities have assented to his reasonable de mands, and the impending ruin of this populous place has been happily averted. " The following are briefly the heads of the new agree ment : _ . _ " 1. At the fixed period of two years from this day, the 6th of April, the city of Canton shall be opened to British subjects. " a. Her Majesty's subjects shall be at liberty to roam for exercise or amusement in the neighbouring country without molestation, returning in the same day, as at Shanv,hai, and any person molesting them shall be se verely punished. " 3. The aggressors on the two seamen in October last, and on Colonel Chesney and others at Fuhshan on the 12th of March, shall be made examples of. The latter being already apprehended will be brought to Canton, and punished in the presence of persons de puted by her Majesty's Plenipotentiary. " 4. An adequate space on the Honan side of the river shall no granted on lease to British merchants and others, for the erection of d\%ellings and warehouses; and his Excellency will ascertain th site and extent before he quits Canton. " 5. A site for the erection of a church shall be granted on lease in the neighbourhood of the space now occupied by the foreign factories; and spaces for burial grounds shall also be allotted at Whampoa. " 6. The flying bridge and another building between the two gardens shall be erected as desired, and sheds shall not be permitted against the walls. " 7. For the better preservation of order, and for the general convenience, the river front before the factories shall be kept clear of boats. " By order. " A. R. JOHNSTON. " British Consulate, Canton, April 6, 1847." In the afternoon of this day Sir John and Captain Macdougall, along with two Chinese officers, proceeded across the river for the purpose of fixing on " an ade quate space" for the erection of dwelliu.-s, &c., on the lionan side of the river. This site, as fixed upon, will extend from the front of the foreign factories to the Macao-passage, and from that corner of llonan to the creek near the fort on the east bank of the passage. flow far it will extend back from the river we do not know ; but, if we mistake not, a large part of its surface is already covered with dwellings, warehouses, &c. The prisoners taken on Monday were released to-day, and the house in Lwanhing-street, from which the stone was thrown on the Sabbath.day, was razed to the ground; also one in Shoe-lane (?), where the sailors were mauled in October last. In the meantime the two Chinese custon-houses, foreign boat houses, &c., near the gardens before the factories, were removed. The excitement among the Chinese people and militia was now very great, and it was rumoured that the latter were about to make an attack on the barbarians. Sand and sand-bags were pouring into the city, designed for blocking up the gates. Cannon were also to be brought into the city. However, the day and the night passed, and " all things continued to go on as usual." Barricades were now removed; parties who had left their houses or shops began to return with their effects, and the British troops prepared for embarkation; arid in the afternoon the Corsair, having on board a detachment of the 42d, moved down the river to Whampoa, where the Vulture had remained, while the Empitgle had been brought up within the barrier above Napier's Fort, al most within cannon shot of the city. The four follow ing documents appeared during the day:— " No. 10. " Keying, member of the Imperial house, guardian of the heir apparent, an assistant member of the Cabinet, a president of the Board of War, and Governor-General of the provinces of Kwantung and Kwangs, issues this proclamation:— " As all the affairs of the provincial city at present are being conducted in their usual manner, there is as suredly no cause for anxiety. Ye people, whether abid ing in your houses or your shops, you ought all to re main quiet and joyful in your respective pursuits. And if there be lawless vagrants, who spread abroad exciting roinours, create troubles, and deceive the multitude, it being clearly ascertained who they are, they shall be seized and severely punished. Give heed to this special proclamation and oppose it not. " Canton, April 7. No. 11. " Rules agreed upon, at a public meeting of the gentry of Canton, for the defence against the entrance of bar barians into the city. " Rule 1. The inhabitants of all the shops and houses must hire militia, who will keep a constant pa trol, and who, if a barbarian enters a street, will not be frightened, but sound the alarm, so that it may spread and be communicated from street to street, and all with united strength be ready to beat back and destroy the intruder. " Rule 2. Throughout the whole city all the people must remove the boards and planks from the roots of their houses, and place instead many jars of water, ready to act against incendiaries ; and must have ready pre pared pots of lime, brickbats, stone, &c. ; and if they see a barbarian enter the city they must throw these down with thundering force, and not allow a single one to escape from their net. "Rule 3. There must be no fear nor removing to other places, lest they give rise to Plundering, and lest in the absence of our people the barbarians get possession of the country. Let all the people attend to their respective avocations, mutually protect and defend each other, and for ever guard their own possessions. " Rule 4. If any spread the report through the streets that the barbarians are entering the city, they must be traitors, designing by such reports to ascertain the actual condition of the city, and perhaps are seek ing: opportunities to plunder and rob. Let the inhabi tants at once seize upon such and deliver them over for examination to the chiefs of the gentry, and if they are truly traitors they must be sent to the proper authorities ~rhe conduct, ab ov eand rules must they be mayput in no practice liberated. by for trial ; an d if f oun d to be good people they must obtain from th e i r ne i g hb ours and elders bonds for t h e i r good the in habitants of all the streets and lanes, h oweve r small, and all must watch and gu ar d with care, in order to protect themselves and families, and t o s h ow a rea diness to Wl fil the gracious designs of our august Sovereign in his love to all the people. Although the foreigners may enter the provincial cities of the other maritime pro vinces, yet great is the strength of this province; and it behoves us to quit ourselves like men, and continue watchful to the end. Then all will be well." " No. 12. " Canton, April 7, 1847. " Sir,—The undersigned British residents in Canton beg respectfully to call your Excellency's attention to the following matters, in connexion with the arrange ments you may at present be concluding with the Chi nese authorities : " The shops in Hog-lane, and the thoroughfare there, are the occasion of great inconvenience, annoyance, and danger to the foreign community. The shopkeepers there are always ready to tempt the seamen to drunk enness, and it would no doubt be remembered by your Excellency that most of the disturbances which have occurred in Canton have originated in that neighbour hood, while on all occasions of riot or fire our danger is greatly increased by the assembling of low characters in the place alluded to. We, therefore, request that your Excellency will obtain for us the removal of the houses in hog-lane, and the stoppage of this offensive thoroughfare. " We further suggest to your Excellency that the space thus cleared will afford the best site which can be found for the erection of a church, and as the Chinese authorities have agreed to give space for one, and must be put to a considerable expense in removing buildings on a suitable locality, we think it but reasonable, that as they will be saved this expense, they should be called upon, instead, to compensate the owners of the miserable habitations in Hog -lane ; but to obtain such a desirable object as that in view, we would be willing ourselves to pay the owners the reasonable value of the buildings, if the matter can be arranged in no other way. We have the honour to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient bumble servants, [Signed by 49 British Residents.] "To his Excellency Sir John F. Davis, Baronet, &c." " No. 13. "British Consulate, Canton, April 7, 1847. " Gentlemen,—l am directed by his Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, and to make the following reply:— " On the 3d inst., on reaching Canton, his Excellency received from Mr. Consul Macgregor a pacer professing to embody all the principal wishes and views of the British residents, and these were therefore shortly in cluded in the list of demands made on the Chinese Government, and since assented to. It is plain that his Excellency at that time negotiated under circumstances peculiarly calculated to obtain successful results, and he therefore much regrets that the subject of your present letter has been postponed until the negotiations are con cluded. "At the same time he must observe, that the objects now sought could never be urged as treaty rights, since none of our conventions with China entitle us to insist on the stoppage of thoroughfares and the obliteration of whole lines of houses, These in every country, are very serious questions, involving vested rights, privab and public, and it may be questioned whether (as far as the thoroughfare is concerned) the Government of China has power to remove a right of way contrary to the public wish, for more than a limited time at least. "This circumstance may render your objects difficult of attainment, and his Excellency regrets it the more, as he is fully alive to the evils attending the existence of the lane in question, and the advantages which would accrue from its remoral. lie will, however, use his best endeavours to persuade the Chinese Minister of these respective evils and advantages, and if the British com munity can raise funds which will induce the owners of the shops to give them up, the other obstacles might probably be surmounted. " It is altogether a mistake to suppose that the Chi nese authorities are to be at the expense of the proposed site for the church, and it would be hardly worthy of the British Government that they should. "I hare, &c. " A. R. JOHNSTON." The above (No. 10) was the first expression given to the public of Keying's sentiments ; he is known to have been greatly perplexed and distressed, unablo to eat by day or sleep by night. It is generally believed by those who have the best means of knowing the truth of this matter, that he has been left to stand quite alone—and even opposed by some of the high officers of the province. THURSEAY, THE BTH.—The following correspondence &c., we borrow from the Hong-Kong Register. " No. 14. " Head-quarters, British Factories, April 6, 18407. " Gentlemen,—l am directed by Major-Gen. D'Agui- Jar, commanding the troops in China, to acquaint you that he intends to leave Captain Graves, and one ser geant of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment, and Lieut. Da Costa of the Royal Engineers, with one corporal and three privates of the Royal trappers and Miners, behind in the factories, until further orders, for the pur pose of rendering you every assistance in their power, as regards the completion of your organization and other defensive arrangements. " I have the honour to be, " J. BRUCE "Assistant Adjutant-General. " To the Associated Gentlemen Volunteers, Canton Factories." As this note left an impression that the whole of the troops were to be withdrawn, a meeting was held to re monstrate against such proceeding, and the following address was adopted and had been signed by seventy-six persons, when Captain Bruce arrived, and stated that the Light Company of the 18th were to be left with Cap tain Graves:- " No. 15. " Canton, April 8, 1847. "Sir,—The undersigned British subjects hear with alarm that it is the intention of your Excellency to re move immediately the whole of the military and na-ial furces from Canton. " We respectfully represent to your Excellency that, in our opinion, the recent proceedings cannot fail to have created such feelings in the Chinese population as to render the temporary presence of a portion of the troops absolutely essential to our safety, and we therefore ear nestly solicit your Excellency to afford us that protection which we cannot hope for from the Chinese authorities, avowedly unable to control the populace. " We have the honour to be, &c., (Signed by 76 persons.) " To his Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, Bart, &c." The following is the answer which was received to the foregoing address to his Excellency Sir John Francis " No. 16. " British Consulate, Canton, April 8, 1847. " Gentlemen,—l am directed by his Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, in reply to your letter of this day's date, to inform you that the very natural alarm which you therein express is formed on a mistake, as it has been arranged that the light company of the 18th Royal Irish, under Captain Graves, shall not quit Can ton until relieved by the armed steamer; and that, in ad dition to this, her Majesty's sloop Espiag,le is also anchored within reach. " Captain Bruce, the Assistant Adjutant• General, states that he informed the meeting of British merchants of the above arrangement before your letter was sent to his Excellency. Both that letter and the reply are, therefore, almost superfluous.—l have the honour to be, &c., "A. B. JOHNSTON." About midday all the guards were brought in, ex cepting two or three sentries, and their Excellencies the Governor and the Major-General, with the main body of the troops, embarked and retired from before the pro vincial city, leaving a small detachment, as above inti mated, and proceeded on their return to Hong-Kong. FRIDAY, THE OTH.—A placard, purporting to be trom Sir John Francis Davis, appeared on the walls of one of the streets near the factories, and a friend has lurnit•hed us with the following translation:— " No. 17. " I, the Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, make known for your full information, ye resi dents and shopkeepers, that in consequence of a breach of faith on the part of your Chinese officers, I have, with a naval and military force in large and small vessels, quickly entered the river and come up to the provincial city to inquire into the wretched principles and perverse reasonings of your Chinese officers, who knocking head have acknowledged their crime ; it is (therefore) lawful and right to remit their offences. " We regard you, ye people, as little children, and have a heart constantly to guard and protect you, and certainly have no reason to involve and injure you. If, however, there be any lawless vagabonds who, following the multitude, combine to throw stones, we Englishmen will be in the highest degree indignant. And it was for this cause that we demolished the two shops in Lwan hing-street, as a caution to others. Henceforth let each one mind his own business, and you must not again create disturbance if ye would avoid inconvenience. I especially issue this general edict to inform you. Let each, as is becoming, tremblingly obey. (Articles of convention appended to the above.) " 1. It is settled that we enter the city after two years. " 2. On entering the city there shall be no disturb ance. " 3. Ther© shall be a place for the anchoring of foreign boats. " 4. Four shops in Hog-lane shall be taken down. " 5. The custom-house, &c., in front of the factories shall be removed. " 6. The people of Fuhshan shall be arrested and punished. " 7. The cross streets on the east and west of the factories shall be removed. " 8. Forty mow (or Chinese acres) of land on Honan shall be ceded. " 9. A long bridge shall be thrown across the flower gardens." About three o'clock this afternoon the prefect, or some of his subalterns, came with a native guard to re occupy the Consoo-house. A row ensued ; stones were hurled at the magistrate, and the presence of Captain Graves and some of his men was required before order was restored. SATURDAY, THE 10T11.—Several new placards appeared this morning, one of them on the walls of Minqua's Hong, opposite the western gate of the garden, of which wo have made the following version:— " No. 18. " FROM THE SCHOLARS AND MERCHANTS OF THE EN. TIRE PROVINCE OF YWINGTUNG. "It is universally known that danger awaits those who are in high stations, and ruins those who ate proud in spirit, as surely as the meridian sun must decline and the full moon wane. _ . " Now, English barbarians, hitherto always accus tomed to acts of violence and outrage, you have . insulted the province of Canton. When formerly '(a few years ago) your ships of war came to the provincial city, their 'Excellencies, our high officers, extended to you their condescending regard; and as you had traversed the wide ocean from the regions of uncivilised barbarians which royal laws had never reached, they bestowed on you extraordinary favour, and though you were rebel lious they did not lay judgment to the line. Still you would not repent and reform; but, continuing to cherish the disposition of the wolf and the tiger, you have taken it upon yourselves to raise puny troops, and in wild dis order have carried to the utmost extreme your acts of cruelty and violence. In bold daring you wish forcibly to occupy the whole of the river side, measuring off streets, disturbing and plundering the inhabitants, not knowing that our city is such a mart for all nations that marketable goods of every kind and to any amount can readily be disposed of, and that in like manner there can be obtained any cargo which may be wished. Thus the French, the Americans, the Dutch, and the people of Bombay and Bengal, have all peaceably and orderly ' carried on their business—just in their dealings, and po lite in their intercourse—the guest mild and the host agreeable. " At the present time imports were beginning to be in good demand, when suddenly came this troublesome and injurious outbreak, putting an entire stop to all commer cial business, and depressing the whole market, causing damage to all nations. This is truly worthy of detesta tion. Last year Mr. Parker, an American, who had established an hospital, dispensed medicines, p rac ti se d the healing art, and universally relieved the poor people, and whose virtue has been praised by all the scholars and people of Canada, wished to erect a hospit a l at t h e en trance of Old China-street; but the people, consider ing that it was an important site, and fearing it might lead to some unforeseen difficulty, were unwilling to grant the request; now then (now grant it) to you Eng lish barbarians, who, while hitherto you have conferred no favours, have been solely bent on acts of violence and wrong, and by a hundred fiendish tricks have robbed the people of their possessions and wasted their valuable effects. " Do you suppose there are no men among the thou sands of officers and the hundreds of thousands of militia who have been collected and disciplined in connexion with all the colleges of our province? If our militia are once put in requisition, you will find yourselves mistaken if' you imagine they are like those vagrants who stand gazing with their hands is their sleeves and flee at the first display of arms. " You English barbarians may talk of the strength of your ships and of the efficiency of your artillery ; and though you may have the means for making an attack, we too have the means of making destruction; more over, you do not consider that your provisions are in a precarious state, the rations being supplied by contribu tions, and that 300 or 400 mercenary sepoys, living at the rate of seven dollars each per month, together with the English barbarian troops, do not exceed 1,000 in number ; with soldiers so few and provisions so small, how can you long hold out ? " If, English barbarians, you will not awake from your delusions, but will still persist in your former evil courses, we, the entire province of Canton, will first cut off your trade and provisions, and at the same time withdraw all who are employed in your service, and leave you like an infant on the breast which, deprived of its milk, dies in the hands of its nurse. It becomes you, • therefore, quickly to reform, and each attend quietly to your own business, lest not a single sail return, to be the laughing stock of other nations. Carefully consider these things. _ " TaukWang, the 27th year, 2d month, 25th day. " Canton, April 10, 1847." The Pluto, Liout. Airey commanding, returned this evening, bringing up some munitions for the gentlemen volunteers, and resumed her former anchorage just above the factories. TUESDAY, 13Trt.—During the last few days we have taken some pains to ascertain the state of popular feel ing. On repeated occasions we have landed on Henan, and in one instance entered the large fort on the east bank of the Macao Passage, and in company with two gentlemen walked along the whole battery, mounting 60 or more heavy guns; a Chinese corporal, a soldier, and a few coolies, were all the persons we met in the fort; they seemed pleased with our visit, and said their supe rior, the commandant, had gone to town to buy vege tables fur their supper! We have also gone almost daily to some of the gates of the city, and through the streets of the suburbs—everywhere unmolested except by base language. But there is a great deal of excitement among all classes, and it partakes more of wrath and indignation than of aught else. Many copies of the follow ing proclamation have been posted up, and almost all in the vicinity of the factories have been torn down or defaced:— " No. 19. " A PROCLAMATION BY CHANG AND LI, THE MAGIS TRATES OF NANHAI AND PWANYU, &C., MAKING KNOWN STRICT AND EARNEST INJUNCTIONS. " Whereas, foreigners of all nations, in carrying on commerce at Canton, for more than 200 years, have during this long period beefs well acquainted, and on good terms with our people, the said foreigners coming as guests from afar to China; and because it is perfectly natural and no matter of wonder that they should wish to roam abroad and see the places in the neighbourhood of the provincial city, and inasmuch as not only the peace will be injured and serious troubles created if the people of the country assemble and crowd and gaze upon theme, but the purpose of our august Sovereign to show kindness to men from afar be greatly frustrated; there fore it is right and proper to put forth strict and earnest instructions. This, accordingly, we hereby do, expect ing that you, people and gentry of the country, will fully understand that henceforth, if foreigners travel about in the said places, you must not as heretoforeas semble and gaze at them, creating broils and giving rise to other serious troubles, so as to expose yourselves to trial and punishment. It behoves you carefully to con sider this and obey. Oppose not our special proclama tion. " Canton, April 13." " No. 20. " GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. " Diplomatic Department. " His Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., is pleased to direct that the annexed instructions to her Majesty's Consul at Canton be published for the in formation of British subjects at that port:— " Victoria, Hong-Kong, April 14. " Sir,—l have the satisfaction to state that I have received from Keying a reply to a note which I addressed to him before quitting Canton, regarding the objection able lane contiguous to the British factories, in which his Excellency does not dissent from the propositions made on that subject. " You will take care that the British merchants re imburse the proprietors of the house lately pulled down at the eastern extremity of the river front, adjoining the creek, and that they agree to a fair compensation for all Chinese property which may be given up for their benefit or convenience. On no other condition than this, which is the obvious dictate of common justice, will I aid, countenance, or permit any measures of the sort.—l have, &c., " J. F. DAVIS. " F. C. Macgregor, Esq., &c. By order, " A. R. JOHNSTON. " Victoria, Hong-Kong, April 15. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20.—Since the 3d, Hog-lane has been closed, and the prevailing opinion is that it will continue so. Yesterday crowds of people from Canton and Honan thronged the offices of the city authorities, all begging that the street and terry may be kept open. And to day rumours are rife that, if compelled to aban don their houses, they will set them on fire! This threat should not be unheeded, for there are thousands that would exult in its execution. BATTLE BETWEEN THE FRENCH SQUADRON AND THE COCHIN-CHINESE. ONE THOUSAND COC HIN-CHINESE KILLED. The following is an account of the late occurrences in Cochin-China, taken from the narrative of the Bishop of Loo Cboo, who was present, and is now on board the steamer Lady Mary Wood, en route to France with the news:— CHINA SEAS, MAY 1, 1847. Several missionaries, natives of France, having been put to death or cruelly punished, within the last twelve years, in Cochin-China, without any crime being im puted to them but that of teaching the Christian reli gion, Admiral Cecille, commanding the French squa dron in these seas, presented to the Cochin-Chinese Government a remonstrance against this treatment of his countrymen, whereof no notice was taken. M. La Pierre, who succeeded to the command of the French squadron in the China seas, resolved to fellow up the intentions of his predecessor, and for this pur pose addressed a letter with a similar remonstrance to the King of Cochin-China, which he dispatched on the 19th of March last, from Macao to the port of Touron (situ ate about 50 miles to the southeast of the capital city Hue), by the corvette La Victorieuse, Captain Re gault de Genouilly, who had orders to deliver it into the hands of the prefect of the province. M. La Pierre, in the frigate La Gloire, followed the Victorieuse on the 23d March, and, arriving in the bay of Touron, was surprised and indignant to find that the captain of the Victorieuse had been unable to obtain any communica tion but with the inferior mandarins, and that all oppor tunity of fulfilling his commission had been denied him. Endeavours were now renewed to obtain an interview with the prefect, either by his coming or giving permis sion to deliver him the letter. These endeavours were met only with subterfuge and mockery, which, for the honour of the French flag, M. La Pierre deemed-it ne cessary to resent. There were anchored in the bay five corvettes, built on the European model, fully equipped, on which M. La Pierre laid an embargo, vowing to retai❑ them till his letter was received and replied to. Anxious to avoid hostile measures, he caused all their sails to be re moved to two small war junks, which were made to an chor between the French ships, This proceeding seemed to have effect, for the follow ing day, March 31, the prefect appeared at Touron, re ceived M. R. Genouilly politely, and, after some hesita tion, took the letter, promising an answer in ten or twelve days. This period passed without incident. It was, however, observed, that in the forts, on shore, and in the cor vettes, preparations were going on, by increasing very greatly their force in men and otherwise, for hostilities. Oti the morning of the lth of April an inferior officer came on board, announcing the arrival from Hue (the capital), of a superior mandarin, bearing the reply, and inviting Commodore La Pierce to land and receive it the following day. To this invitation he replied, that having sent his se cond i❑ command as the bearer of his letter, a cores• ponding civility required that the bearer of the answer should deliver it to him on board his ship; at the same time giving assurance that he would be received with the honours due to his rank and station. The Cochin-Chinese evaded this proposition, and con tinued to request the Commodore's presence on shore. Whilst the correspondence on this point was proceeding, several of the officers of the French ships took walks on shore. In these strolls a man seemed desirous to impart some matter to them unseen by his countrymen ; whereon, one of the French officers furnished him with paper and pencil ; he wrote four or five characters, the I meaning whereof, on translation, was found to be, " during the entertainment they will surprise and murder you, en masse." On this hint the commodore became more fully re solved not to accept the invitation of the mandarin to go on shore to receive the alluged answer; neither did the mandarin go on board the French frigate. The movement of troops and armament was being carried on with much activity. Arms in considerable quantities were secretly being conveyed on board the two small junks. The commodore, hopeful to avoid the shedding of blood, sent a party, who took the junks by surprise, and wade a discovery of the utmost consequence at ;hat moment. Whilst disarming the people on board one of the d unks, a midshipman noticed ono of them trying to secrete a paper, which he sprung at and seized. This was given to the commodore, who had it translated. This paper, bearing the red seal of a mandarin in three different places, was a plan of a conspiracy against the French. It was intended to murder the commodore and suite at the conference if he was not found sufficiently re spectful and submissive, and by a concerted signal to attack at the same time the French ships, which were to be reduced to atoms, striking Europeans with such terror that they would n ot venture to re-ap p ear. The mode of attack, &c., wa s g iven in detail. This discovery was ma de on Tuesday, 13th April. The next day, the 14th, the commodore sent a copy to the mandarin, demanding an explanation. In the evening the mandarin sent an inferior officer on board La Gloire with a letter, wherein he sought in vain to justify his conduct. To the French officers it appeared evident that, di s . concerted in his plan by discovery of the paper referred to, he was prevented from acting directly, and only sought to gain time. On Thursday, 15th, an at tack from the Cochin -Chi_ nese appeared to be approaching. The fiv e corvettes we re tilled with men , and formed in line towards the i F re nch ships at the mouth of a riverr‘ptiitcahl falls evidently, the bay ; a numb er of war junks were seen prepared for action ; fou r others were seen workin g into the mou th of the bay , p robabl y from the ca as the French thought, with a view to attack them on a ll t nol unwillingt t ere aicirti.us menaced the commodore had s t h e enemy should clo se u pon him. re sort to extreme me a s ures, he made another attempt at accommo dation. He sent an officer on shore to warn the mandarins that unless an order was immediately sent to stop the junks from approaching he would forthwith de. waited fully toa p t p w r o o a c h h o , u rs, and whim stroy the five corvettes. seeAinfgterthat thisth the notice junks h:onwtiaril no c ountermanding vessel was dispatched, La Gloire opened her fire, seconded by the Victorieuse. This was instantly responded to by the corvettes, the junks, and the forts on shore. The j' s unk were too far off to take effect, but nea r. the corvettescrews and f one the of the furtsw il e o re n f e u a ffi n; o the forts were suffi ciently near. The crews of the corv.t had of escape, and exerted their utmost in vain. In the space of 76 minutes they were utterly destroyed. One blew up, one was burnt, another sank, and the other two, being crptured, were set on fire, after the wounded were removed. From their OWJI report, and according to actual ob servation,:the number of Cochin-Chinese killed is esti mated at upwards of 1,000. On the destruction of the corvettes, the junks and forts ceased their fire. Neither was taken possession of, which would have been sufficiently easy. It was, how ever, no part of M. La Pierre's plan either to make war on the Cochin Chinese or to plant the French flag on their territory. His object, in protecting his ships and crews against a conspiracy, and maintaining the honour of his nation, he considered as effected by the utter de struction of the corvettes. On the day following he took his departure, no attempt at farther communication, .on either part, having been made. The fire of the Cochin - Chinese, for the most part, fell short or was directed too high. La Gloire had neither killed nor wounded, and only suffered a little in her rigging. La Victorieuse, being more exposed, had only one killed, and one wounded by. the loss of his ri g ht h an d. Th e d amage t o her hull a nd rigging inconsiderable, and immediately repaired. The Victorieuse reached Honff-Kong on the 21st of April, having on board the French Bishop of Loo Choo, who was present. MARKET NEWS.-(YESTERDA Y. ) NEVTGATE AND MEIADENZIAL T. • We had a very slow trade, yet prices were mostly .. O O P' ported. Beef, from 3s 8d to 4s 8d ; Mutton, 3s 10d to DS 11; Lamb, 5s to 6s 2d; Veal, 4s to ss; and Pork, 4s to 53 pet 81bs., by the carcase. MEAT MARKETS. llArtsam, JUNE 23.—We had a fair demand for each it kind of stock, at very full prices. Beef, from 43 to 5s 4d; Mutton, 4s to 5s 4d ; Lamb, 5s to 5s 10(1; Veal, 4s to 4.5 8d; and Pork, 4s to 45 6d per 81bs. ARUNDEL, JUNE 22.—Beef, from 4s 2d to 5s 4d; Mu tt "' 4s 4d to 5s 6d ; Lamb, 5s to 5s 8d ; and Veal, 4s to 4s 84 per 81bs. A moderate supply, and a firm trade. CHICHESTER, JUNE '23.—Prime Beasts and Sheep moved off freely, at very full prices. In other kinds of stock, only a moderate kind of business was doing. Beef, from 3s 104 . to 5s 4d; Mutton, 4s to 5s 44; Lamb, 53 2d to 53 Sibs Veal, 4s 44 to 4s 8d ; and Pork, 4s 2d to 43 6d per Blbs. Suckling Calves, 18s to 28s; Quarter-old Store Pigs, 165 to 21s ; and Milch Cows, with their small Calf, 161 to 191 each. SOUTHALL, JUNE 23.—We bad rather a firm trade here this morning, at fully last week's quotations. Beef, from 4s to 5s 2d ; Mutton, 4s to 5s 2d ; Lamb, 53 2d to 6s; Veal, 4s to 4s 8d ; and Pork, 4s to 4s Sd per 81bs, to sink the offal. ItomForn), JUNE 23.—Each kind of stock was in moderate supply and good request, at extreme cur r en c i e s. Beef, froth3s 104 to 5s 44 ; Mutton, 4s 2d to 5 's4d • Lamb, 5 s ") 6s 2d ; Veal, 4s to 4s 8d ; and Pork, 4s to 4s 84 per 811* Suckling Calves, 18s to 275; Quarter-old Store Ns , 185 to 21s; and Milch Cows, with their small Calf, 16i to 11/1 each. HAY MARKETS. Smartyusw.--Meadow Hai-, 2/ 5s to 3/ 145; Clover ditto 315 s to 4115 s ; and Straw, 1/ 105 to 1/ 143 per load. supel good, and trade rather dull. CUMBEKLAND.—Meadow Hay, 21 8s to 31 165; Clover ditto, 3l 5s to 4/ 14s ; and Straw, 11 105 to 11 15s per load. A full average supply, and a steady demand. WIIITECILAPEL.—Meadow Hay, 21 5s to 3/ 15s; Clove!. ditto, 31 8s to 41 185; and Straw, 11 105 to 11 14s per load Both Hay and Straw moved off slowly, at our quotations. CORN AVERAGES. GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISII CORN For the Week ended June 24, 1847, made up from the Returns of t" Inspectors in the different Citi es and Tows in En l a nd and W per Imperial Quarter. WHEA.T.IBARLETI OATS . I I RTE. BEANS. I.:',EASa RPICE .. 91s 7d 52s Id 33s 8d 76s Ild 'a7s bd 5" 10d The Duties on Foreign Grain are now suspended. ale RAILWAY SHARE _MARKETS- LIVERPOOL, JUNE 23. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Blackburn , Lines Clitheroe, &c., Preference, 1 1 , p.—East Lancashire, % dis.—East colnshire, 1 p. ex int.—Gl asgo w and Dumfries, par—Glas' t North gow, Paisley, and Green oc k, P re f e rence, par—Grea ern, 1% dis.—Huddersfield Canal and Railway, Kendal and Windermere, 2 dis.—Leeds and Thir sk, 6 dis.-- Leicester and Bedfo r d, 1 / t dis.—Liverpool, Crosby, and South port, 1% p.—London and North-Western, 179%---Djr' New Quarters, 11 1 ,4 p. —London and South-Western, 'N.-- Manchester and Leeds, 32/. Shares, par — Ditto , Hal ves L. and B.), I%p.—Ditto, Fifths (late West Riding II0100), Is. 3d. p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire , 90 " -- Ditto (late Great Grimsby and Sheffield), 7 }4 125 1 / 2 —Ditto, 401. Shares, 6%p.—Ditto, New, 3% p.--Nen; castle and Berwick, New, 2A, p.—North Staffordshire, At Tor p.—South-Eastern and Dover, New, No. 4, dis. — and Newcastle, Preference, 3% p.—Belfast and Ballytuell* 11 dis. (late MANCHESTER, JUNE 23. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Ambergate, ham, and Boston, 1 , 4 c. dis.-Birkenhead, Lancashire, all Cheshire, 1 15-16 dis.-Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 7 1 4 p.-Blackburn, &c., Preferentials, IN- -61 , es , Northern, 1 9-16 c. dis.-Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchesie"' Lond° ll lii p.-London, Brighton, and South Coast, 5•0: 1 --- and North-Western, 180-Ditto (Manchester and Binning ham), 70 1 / 2 -Ditto, Quarters (B), 64s p.-Ditto, Quarters Nottingd (C), 6 7-16 p.-Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Quarters, No. 1, p.-Alanchester and Southampton, 315' dis.-Midland Railway Consols, 124%North Stafford.shn 2 3 % p.-North-Western, 1 7-16 die. Oldham Shi re brop dis.-Preston and Wyre, Halves (A), 4% 1, 1).-S Union, 1 dis.-South-Eastern and Dover, o. 4, dis. South Staffordshire, dis. LEEDS, JUNE 23. STOCK EXCHANGE. -The sales are-East Lancashire, Ne ° "_ . 12s. 6d. c. dis.-East and West Yorkshire, 30 s. 6d. dis.-- Great Northern, 31s. dis.-Leeds and Dewsbury , Halves, 15°. pit ,s te s , p.-Leeds and Thirsk, 5 , !/ i dis.-Ditto, New, 5 c. dis - Preference, 14s. dis.-Leeds, Wakefield, and Midland, , 6d. dis.-Manchester and Leeds, West Riding Union, is. j; -North British, Extension, 2s. p.-North Staffordshire, 2 p.-North-Western, 28s. n. dis.-York and Newcastle, Pre ference, p. HULL, JUNE 23. STOCK EXCHANGE. -The sales are-East Lancashire, Negsf' 15s. dis.-Manchester and Leeds (West Riding Uni erl) 's s. p.-INewcastle and Berwick, New, 475.-North Br itish, Ex tension (scrip), 2s. 9d. p.-Shropshire Union, 3 8 s. York and Newcastle, Preference, 3 3 4 p. EDINBURGH, JUNE 22. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Aberdeen, 27/. Airdrie and Bathgate, 3/. 10s.-Arbroath and Forfs r ,',... s . ss. -Ditto, Halves, 15/.-Ayr and Galloway, 24 2s. nu m. Caledonian, 30/.-Ditto, New, 2/. 95.-Caledonian and bartonshire, 1/. 155.-Clydesdale Junction, 424 10s.-Dee side, 31. 55.-Dunblane, Doune, a nd Callender , IL 7s. 6I -Dundee and Arbroath, 38L-Ditto. New , N o. 1, 271. 195.. -Ditto, New, No. 2,30 L-Ditto,L-Ditto, New , No. 3, N. 2 5 . 6d s 6d.-Dundee c : -Dundee and Northern Junction, 11. 10 • and Perth, 32/. IN.-Ditto, New, 134 -Ditto, Bs.-East of Fife, 1/. 18s.-East Lothian I 11. 17s. nt Q ra na , rters, ters, 171. 3s. Glasgow, 691.-Ditto, Halves, 224-Ditto, Quer ptt , 6d. -Edinburgh and Bathgate, 71. 15s.- 171. and Pre -9d.-Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton, 181. 10s.- rters, 13s. - ference, 20/. 10s.-Ditto, New, 2L-Ditto, 31. 14s. Edinburgh and Northern, 181. 7s. 6d.-Ditto,ualCew, 21. 95. 6d. -Ditto, Newport, 71. IN.-Ditto, ditto, Sew, -Edinburgh and Perth (New Co.), 14 Is.- 411. 65.-Glasgow and Ayrshire, 120 L-Ditto, New Sto 2 10s.-Ditto, Halves, No. 1, 81. 195.-Ditto, Halves , 6/. 155.-Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, Si. 45.-Glas gow and Garnkirk, 38/. 10s.-Glasgow General Terminu 121. 155.-Glasgow and Greenock, 171. 10s.-Ditto, Halves, and 8/. 155.-Ditto, Preference, W.-Glasgow, Kilmarnock' Ditto, Halves, Ardrossan, 4/. 55.-Great North of Scotland, 11. 17s. 6a. -Great Northern (late Direct Northern), 4/. Bs. Ditto (late (late London and York), 1/. 125.-Newcastle and Berwick, 27/. 155.-North British, 32/. 17s. 6d.-Ditto , Halves, 15/. 2s. 63.-Ditto, Quarters , 41 . lls.-Ditto, Neff Quarters (scrip), 152.-Ditto,Thirds, 2/. 12s. 6d.-Ditto, Fifths, 61. IN.-Scottish Central, 271.-Scottish Grand Junction, 195.-Scottish Midland, 18/. 10s. -Shrewsbury and Hereford, 10s.-Shrewsbury, Oswestry, and Chester. 91. 10s.--- Ditto, New, 11.-Stirling and Dunfermline, a 2s. 6d.-Stir ling and Midland, 21. 65.-Wishaw and Coltness, 494- York and Newcastle, 371. 7s. 63.-Ditto, New, 14/. 12s. 6d. -Ditto, Preference, 11/. 12s. 6d.-Direct Bombay and Ma dras,l9add.r-asG, r 2 e s a .- t , N m o a r d t r h as, o N f ,Southern 2s. 3d.-Eastlndia, 2s. 6d.-Great and Arcot, Is. 6d. 7. GLASGOW, Jura 22. STOCK ExcHANGE.--The sales are—Caledonian, New, 435. 6d.—Clydesdale Junction, 421—Dundee and Arbroath, New, No. 3, 65s.—Dundee and Perth, Quarters, 675. 6d.- - • Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 1201.—Ditto Halves, No, 1, 81. 19s.—Ditto, No. 2, 61. 12g.—Glasgow, DuMfries, and Carlisle, 5/. 4s.—Great Southern of Madras, Is. 9d.—Mail cheater and Southampton, 10s.—York and Newcastle, Prefer. ence, THE CAXTON MEMORIAL.—We understand that his Royal Highness Prince Albert has forwarded a subscription of 25 guineas to the Committee of Manage' went. BIRTHS. On the 21st inst., Mrs. J. W. Scott, of Abney-place, Stoke Newington, of a daughter. J. On the 21st inst., at Lawn-place, North Brixto n, Mrs. Fraser, of a son. the On the 21st inst., at Albion-place, Hyde-park-square, lady of Charles Crokat, Esq., of a daughter. On the '2lst inst , at Dunstable, the wife of John Parfet Esq., of a daughter. On the 22d inst., in Bedford-square, the wife of Patrick Black, M.D., of a son. On the 22d inst., in Belgrave-square, her Grace th e Duchess of Montrose, of a son and heir. On the 12th inst., Mrs. J. R. Rogers, of Pomeroy - st reet, of a daughter. On the 18th inst., at Park-place, Loughborough - r oad, Brixton, the lady of W. J. West, Esq., of a daughter. On the 1801 inst., at the Mount, Sheffield, Mrs. IV Mott, of a son, still-born. On the 19th inst., at Edinburgh, the lady of Frederick William Allfrey, Esq., of a daughter. On the 20th inst., the lady of Ephraim Mostly, EECI•t of Grosvenor -street, Grosvenor-square, of a MARRIED. On the 23d inst., at Bow, Middlesex, by the Rev. ThomaS Watson, M.A., Edward Eyre, Esq., of Maryland-point, Stratford, to Margaret Julia, only daughter of Godfrey Gud"' dard, Esq., of Wood-street, Cheapside. On the 17th inst., at St. George's, Hanover-square, Richard, Bland Lucas, of South Audley-street, to Eliza, daughter ot Mr. Richard Edwards, of Betshanger, Kent. On the 19th inst., at St. Saviour's, Southwark,George Rowland, Esq., of Holly Lodge, Il eac ham, Norfolk, to E liza, third daughter of the late Rev. James Wright, Rector of East Harting and Hinderclay, in the same county. On the 19th inst., at St. John's, Notting-hill, Robert Barnes, M.B ,of Park-road, Notting-hill, to Eliza, eldest daughter of J. liawkener, Esq., of Norland-place, Notting.* h i DIED. On the 7th inst., at Arezzo, in Tuscany, Mary Anne Hawkes, wife of Philip Lovell Phillips, Esq., M.D., aged 33. On the 19th inst. in Baker-street, Portma n-s q uare, Car tain Thomas Smee;late of the Hon. E. I. C.'s. Service. On the 19th inst., in London, G. R. Daniel, Esq., Q.C. On the 20th inst., in Gloucester-row, Weymouth, France* eldest surviving daughter of the late T. Oliver, Esq. On the 20th inst., in Gloucester-place, Portman-square , Clarkson Palmer, Esq. ' aged 82. On the 21st inst., at Gravesend, James Smith, Esq. On the 21st inst., at Brighton, Mrs. Sarah Small, aged 82. On the 21st inst., at Gravesend, Mrs. Twiss, widow of the late W. Twiss, Esq. On the 2lst inst., at Brighton, Susan, the younger daughter of Charles Hindley, Esq., M.P., ageaL_____ Loneon : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 11 2 . Sti and, Printer, at 271 e Bun Office, N 0.112. Strand, in the Preoiaol of the Sayoy, in the County af Middlesex, Friday, June Of 114 r. 4 TOti 4 nd U Bristc WA.R I t t t :E SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY! MORNING, JUNE 25, 1847. I I