The Express.
London, England, 1855-04-30 00:00:00

CHINA.

DEFEAT OF THE REBELS AT CANTON.-
SHANGHAI RETAKEN BY THE IMPERIAL-
ISTS, AND FRIGHTFUL SLAUGHIER.

IDENT OP THIt DAIL! NIWB.:
HONG-KONG. btiARCH 16.
The events of the month elapsed since the date of
the departure of the last mail steamer are more
marked by stirring events than for many months
previously. Indeed our news, foreign and domestic,
is unusually interesting; not merely as affecting the
interests of Europeans here, but intimately con-
nected with the politics of Europe.
Strictly local we have not much to communicate.
The subscriptions to the Patriotic Fund con-
tinue to augment ; here (at Hong-Kong) the fund
aggregates 1,8001., whilst at Shanghai and
Woo-Sung no less than 2,5001. have been contributed,
to which must be added 2001. from Amoy and 751.
from Swatow—the total being already 4,5001. In
addition to the money raised, it has been resolved to
present an address to her Majesty on the subject of
the war, expressive of the confidence reposed in the
measures of the throne. On the 12th inst. Sir John
Bowring took his departure on • diplomatic visit to
Siam, in her Majesty's steamer Rattler, accompanied
by the eloop of war Orician. It is said that his
excellency will go to Singapore from Siam, and re-
turn to this port by one of the Peninsular and
Oriental Company's steamers, the Itattler sailing for
England. In China there is generally a strong feeling
against Sir J. Bowring—all classes express disappoint-
ment and hostility to the measures of the literary diplo-
matist, and desire his recaL Indeed, the busy tongue
of rumour asserts that Sir John's read is in -his
pocket, and that he will proceed from Siam to
Singapore, and from the latter place to Europe. Of
such elements are the community here composed, that
there is probably no man in England, however
popular, that would prove a favourite in China with
the mercantile community, unless he was disposed to
be led by the commercial advantages of those resident
in China, to the prejudice of any and every o her in-
terest. Every plenipotentiary, from Elliot to Bowring,
has split upon the same rock, and even an angel
would fail to plates or realise the unreasonable expec-
tations of every class of the foreign residents.
The missing mails of Dec. 25 have arrived, the
Shanghai having been compelled to put into Manilla
foe coals, and thereby delaying the mails until they
were nearly ninety days from England. On the
=hai's voyage from Manilla to this port she
in at the Pratu' Shoal, and there learned of
the lose of the Living Age and Tom Bowline, both
vessels with valuable cargoes, destined for Europe
and the United States.
Affairs at Canton look more settled: for the time,
at all events, the rebels have been driven away
from the city. The blockade has been put a stop
to; and by a combined movement of the
imperial soldiers and the people, Canton and
the forts in its neighbourhood have been freed
from the terror-spreading horrors of the insur-
gents. On the 6th inst. the rebels at Blenheim Reach
were taken by surprise, fled precipitately in boats
down the river, and foe the most part escaped, the
imperialists being but too well pleased to regain pos.
smoke of the forts. The other strongholds of the in-
serpnts also fell into the hands of the imperialists,
who are reported to have effected their object by
buying up the ringleaders. The imperialists have
amok • shocking use of their triumph. The place of
execution has been a vast carnage field, where
hundreds have daily been put to death, in the hope of
striking terror into the minds of the population.
At Shanghai, also, the imperialists have succeeded
is recapturing the city, followed by frightful atroci-
ties in revenge for opposing the imperial rule. Be-
yond the mere fact of the capture of the city, little
more is known with certainty, the accounts being
very conflicting. All accounts agree ia represent-
ing the foul atrocities committed by the mandarins.
Nearly 600 prisoners have been put to death, and
some were tortured in the most frightful manner be-
fore being pat out of the way. Some of the rebel,
ehisfs have succeeded in escaping, but by far the
greater number of the ringleaders have feta
themselves in the hands of their norelodwielmy.
Pros the North China Herald extraordinary we
take the subjoined interesting news from Japan :
We have bees wrested from a private emcee with the fel-
lewies *strain of a letter hem an dear of the United Staten
summer Powliattao, ammescher the *ashen, of the Mil-
midges of the Japanese and Vaned States izeaty at Japan
en the 21st ultimo, and the venation of Japan with a nen
were earthquake en the 23S Number last, whereby

(ram ?nu

*ldle 1.1 Obwraes, the largenteity In Japes, sad the taws
Mai were destroyed, and Jeddo much 'Oared. The
bee el the Russian frigate Diana, after the earthquake, is
also narrated ; the officers and crew saved :
i " Powhattas, March 2, 1155,
Off the mouth of the Yengstsze-kiang.
" We sailed from Simoda a week ago last Thureeley, ex.
pada' a run of about fire days to Shanghai, but we had
"got out of Me harbour before we encountered a heavy
iwisd, which required a large expenditure of coal to
ftwitelesseeit,witaiost making any headway; but,en the
deduce,, we losing ground. This bad ecareely subsided
whew we bad another gale mere severe than the flrst,which
lasted much longer, and after that subsided, we had still
another directly in our teeth, which seems dto combine in
itself the severity of both the previous ones. I never before
have experienced anything to compare with it at sea. Being
short of coal, the ship could not be placed in the most
favourable position for weathering the gales, as the captain
thought it necessary that be should hate her against it all
he could, so that be might make his feel last to get the shio
into port when the gale abated. By the greatest good luck,
we have managed to avoid the necessity of taking off our
paddles, and beating up under sail.
" The exchange of tt.e ratifications of the treaty between
the United States and Japan was made on the 21st day of
February, and we sailed on the 2ind.
"The island of Niphon, in which Siesoda is situated, was
visited on the 23rd Dee. by a severe earthquake, which was
moot diaastrons in its disci/. The city of (Maraca, one of
the largest in the empire, was completely laid waste. Jeddo
itself suffered considerably, but ha. since suffered more se-
rioutly from the effects of an es:ensive conflagration. The
town of bimoda, on our arrival, prevented a complete scene
of desolation and ruin. After the shock of the earthquake
the sea commenced bubbling up as it were along the shore,
and then receded with great rapidity, and as soon retuned
with such increased volume as to flood the whole town.to the
depth of six or seven feet, sweeping away h uses, bridges,and
temples, and piling them up is • masa of ruin. Five times
daring the day did the sea advance and recede in this
manner, spreading desolation far and wide. The largest
junks in the baibour were driven from ore to two miles
above high-water mark, where we saw them lying high
and dry. About 20(1 of the poor inhaentants lost their lives
by the overflow, the remainder saving themselves by flee-
ing to the mountains with which the town is surrounded.
" The Bastian frigate Diana, having Vice-Admiral Pun-
tiatine on board, was lying in the harbour at the time,
engaged in finishing up the treaty they had made with the
Japanese. Immediately after the shock was felt, the
water in the harbour became ecnvulssd to such a degree in
eddies and whirlpools, that in the space of thirty minutes
she swung entirely round forty-tette times, twisting
her chains up into knots ; so rapid was the motion,
that the people on board could not keep their
feet, and all were snide giddy. When the sea receded it
left the frigate in 8 feet water oa her side, when her weal
draft wee over 216. et. Oa its return. it is stated, the water
rem five fathoms above its ordinary towel. On its again
receding four feet only of water remained, so that they saw
the stocks of their anchor above the water. The heaving
of the bottom of the bay was Ikea so violent that the frigate
—although, es I said, in only four feet of water—was moved
bodily past her anchor. The officers momently expected
that the bay would become the out et of the 'ulcer aaaaaa
fires, and that they should be es/palled in it. When the
frigate again 'lasted they saw her keel and rudder, which
bad been wrenched cff, fluting alongside, and the ship filling
with water. By getting sails under her they managed to
keep her afloat, and the next day, things having gut quiet
once more, they hauled her off into de. per water Occa-
sional stocks of earthquake still cautious d to be felt, but
none were attended with serious cons. quenches. Alter re-
pairing damages as well as they could, and having rigged a
temporary rudder, and the weather hecomiog floe, they at-
tempted to take the ship round to Rooth. r to-y, where she
would be less Imposed, and they could complete repairs
(Simuela being badly adapted for sash a purpose); but when
within seven miles of their harbour, • gale sprung up. the
hundred Japanese boats that were toe tog them abed aid
them (not, however, till they had got out all the officers sad
crew), and shortly after the gallant atop sunk in deep water,
the officers a d men saving only the el .thee they stood is.
Notwithstanding all their misturtuhee and the dengue
through which they had passed, they only bet one man, and
he was accidentally killed by being jammed by one of the
guns which had gone adrift."

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
BOMBAY. Aram 1.

The lean has been moth discussed darirg tie fortnight,
and the opinion finds very general acceptance from some
unknown cause, that the po.erament of India must be em.
herressed in their finances, and that tho loan is the result of
this emergency. Money continues in improved demand,
as' We do nut look for an easier market (or, some time.
GeMernment securities end join• *Vick sham are in little
11:6tand our quotations g lip show lower figures.
he g l prsition et our import market there is
little to be remarked since our last circular ; the depression
then noticed bas in no way been alleviated ; oar the contrary,
the dealers have shown lees desire to 'lord their habil
consequently the market has been very dull, and prices of
cotton fabrics have farther retrograded, the very favourable
rate of exchange on being the inducemeut to press
sales, but without leadiue to any extent of business, as will
he seen from the list subjoined. Grey shirting, 40 yard.,
38 inch, are very heavy to move, and must deseriptiots are
again easier in pric., about 2 erase per pi. ce ; Mho. 62
reed we quote Rs. 2 12 asses; 71bs 66 reed, Rs. 3 6 minas;
Ms. 60 trod, at Rs. 3 14 snore to it.. 4, while in 46 once
there is lees alteration in value, 91bs. and upwards being in
moderate request at former quutati,-no, out lighter qualities
are dull.
ElPoßTll.—Cotton Wool —There has been more doing
in this market in the last week by native shippers, upward.
of 1,600 bales having been taken, of which about 200 are
new Broach and Milers. et Rs 89 ,o 90, and Rs 76 per
candy respectively, and which are err. me prices; as, how-
ever, supplies are 11,/W arriving more freely of other descrip-
tions, and the accounts of the ie.rket at home are very low,
•riccis with us must fall ere any g..od Coll be dons.
Freight to Great Britain had a very dell appearance at
one time, and little wee shipping at 3... 10e. per ten of 60
feet, but as produce is in greater quantity now, and tonnage'
moderate, rates of froieht have • hardening teedeney
heeds are shipping at 31 171, 61. Oil, 4L 6.1. to 61 per
ton of 210 imperiai g irons.
Exchange —Since our lest we pave to report • further
advance in the rate nn Eoglsnd, and the bunnies done may
be quoted at 2s 1. to 2.. lid. for credits and 2s. 111. to
2s. 114. for documents, with • limited hosine,s doing; this
afterhoon, however, the tendency of the rate is downwards,
Bank and credits bill. brine offered at 2 .11 t. On Calcutta
we now quote par at sight and Rs 981 6U days' sight. On
Madras, Rs. 98 at sight. On China, Rs. 214 at 60 days'
eight.

CALCUTTA. Waken 22.
Owing to the sattertainty press ling in B. gland as to
peace, matters here has, nut improved. The state of the
money market, as well as an advance in hoth freight and
seamiest, lite kept ail produce opt:otiose upon a very low
seals ; the total of our exports, in moa.y value, is test de-
dieing now that the bulk of the indigo has been shipped.
Bice, mode, led jet' do not amount to mach, and our car
•
goes are now mainly c.mirmed of these articles.
Exchange.—Ws believe the bulk of the translations for
this mail have bran at 2-11 to 1 for ered.tv, and 2-4 to 1 t. r
dimusamse bills at 6 mouths signs, although at coming the
rates may be a tun. ?rarer. Treasury and Bank post bills
era quoted at 2-01 to 2.q. On China the rate is re. 212 per
100 dolls.
Freights.—We quote for London :—ldogar, 41. 10a. to
41.15 s ; saltpitre, nominal; rice, 61 to 61. 2..6d.; seeds,
81 to 81. 61.; juts, 41 to 4145. ; bides, 516.. ; suk And indigo.
61 ; other goods in tike proportion. For Liverpool co,
41.15 s ; jute, 41. ; weeds, W.; other goods nominal. For
Mauritius, re. 2 0 per bag.