The Express.
London, England, 1853-09-19 00:00:00

BUItMAH.

No news has been received of later date from Bur-
nish than that given in my last. Some old letters
mention that considerable annoyance was being given
to us by the Burmese, and it is evident that by our
troops in the country it is not expected that the
peace proclaimed from Calcutta can be lasting or per-
manent, and very likely Lord Dalhousie himself
never expected it would. The following letters, of
date 29th June, from Kyonk Phyoo, have been pub-
lished in the Bengal Hurkaru :
The Zenobia has just come in fora part of the Arracan
Local Battalion, but she has to go first to Akyab to take in
coals. She starts at daylight to-morrow morning, and is
expected to return about the 4th proximo. The Arracan
Battalion has been here for the last twenty days, having all
provisions ready and being prepared to start at a moment's
notice; but of course none of the men will be embarked
until the return of the Zenobia with a sufficient rupply of
coal to enable her to proceed to Rangoon. I hear that
another steamer is expected shortly to take a further por-
tion of the men. We have nothing but rain day and night,
and everthing feels so damp and uncomfortable, that I tear
all of us will get ill.
The Phlegethon steamer was seat up the Aeng river to
bring down the families of the Arescan Local Battalion,
but she met with a double accident. First, in proceeding
up, she got her rigging entangled in the jungle which
grows down to the water's edge, and thereby sprang her
topmuts. The second mishap occurred whilst she was at
anchor at that harbour. A barque under full sail ran foul
of the I'hlegethoo, and carried away her jibboom, bow-
sprit, figure head, and part of her bulwark, This will, of
course, detain her for some time, co that there is no saying
when the whole of the men for Rangoon will be able to
leave. It is now exactly six weeks since we have had a
steamer from Calcutta, and we are sadly in want of several
things, especially flannel, which is the only clothing that
could afford us protection against the extreme dampness.

CHINA

PROGRESS OF THE REBELLION.
ADVANCE ON PEKIN.

HONG KONG, JULY 23.—The political state of af-
fairs in this quarter are telling severely upon the
commerce of 'he count 7, and as the commercial
shoe has commenced to pinch some of the specula-
tors in longeloths and drug begin to cry out. 'The
Shanghao firms, or rather a portion of them, have
addressed a letter or memorial to Sir George lion-
ham, the superintendent of trade, in which they set
forth the deplorable condition of trade at their em-
porium, and the immense losses which will necessa-
rily follow. To avert as much lose as possible to
themselves and their constituents in England, the
memorialists suggest the British plenipotentiary's
aid in inducing the Chinese authonties to postpone
the payment of import duties, assigning
as a reason that it is but fair that the Chinese should
suffer, not the importers ; because the interruption
to trade has been brought about by the Chinese
themselves. The Superintendent of Trade has not
acceded to the requests of the requisitionists, and tells
them plainly that parties in Europe who shipped
the goods upon which import dues are now demanded
did so in the face of the disturbances, and so acted
irnprudeutly. It may be stated that the leading
firms did not sign the memorial, viz., Messrs. Bleu-
kin, Rawson, and Co.; Dallas and Co.; Dent, Beale,
and Co.; Gilman, liowman, and Co.; Jardine, Ma-
theson, and Co.; Lindsay and Co. ; Shaw, Bland, and
Co.; Sykes, Schwabe, and Co., and some others, the
absence of whose concurrence in the memorial is re-
ferred to by the Superintendent of Trade. The

documents are given (from the !Wend (71744",0n
another column.
That useful journal, in remarking upon the cor-
respoudence, draws attention to the phrase a
contest being carried on between the Emperor or
China and a small portion of his subjects," while the
fact is palpable that all the forces at the disposal of
lac Emperor are not capable of subduing the small
' force in question.
By the steamer Lady Mary Wood letters have
been received from Shanghai to the 11th inst. It
appears that after the return of the Taoutae's tlcet
to Woosuug, having expended all their shut and
shell in an ineffectual attempt to capture the city of
Chin-kiang-foo, a second attempt was inadc on
June 14, not by the fleet, but by the land forces.
The imperial army commenced the attack on
the eastern side, from the stockades to the hill,
within their own camp, and kept up a heavy fire for
three successive days, but without effecting any
breach, in consequence of the shot falling
short of the wall. The insurgents looked on
with indifference, having previously destroyed
11 all the intervening villages and suburbs. A
large fleet of imperial war junks and lurched lie at
anchor about 11 mile from the city, waiting for a
fair wind to attack the city in that direction. The
North China Herald mentions that a rumour was
current that a force of 2,000 long-haired rebels, with
European muskets or matchlocks, had just arrived
at Chin-kiang from Nankin, with orders to drive away
the imperial fleet, a task of no great difficulty, espe-
cially as many of the officers of the imperial fleet
hare quarrelled with the admiral, and levauted no
one knows where. An expedition had been sent up
the Yang-tze-kiang from her Majesty's steamer
Hermes to search after several deserters from that
vessel. Although no success attended the search, the
expedition succeeded in obtaining some information
respecting the state of affairs between the imperialists
and the insurgents. The following particulars of
the expedition are taken from the North Clnnn
Herald of July J:

Me. Meadows, who, under instructions from her Ma-
jesty's consul, was sent to accompany the party in his
official capacity, was enabled in the :performance of the
duty entrusted to him, to visit Chiu-kcang• Coo, and enter
into communication with Lo, the command, r of the forces
in that city, to whom the object of his vi-it to that neigh-
bourhood was explained. At the interview bete ccn Mr.
Meadows and Lo, we believe much was done to let at rest
any question of collusion between the imperialists aad;their
visitors, or of partisanship, and to satisfy him that the
attack in each case, certainly in the last, was a mere
coincidence and altogether accidental. Tl a general
purport, so far as we can ascertain, of the in-
formation now obtained is, that a line uf fertificwion in
brick Las been carried by the insurzents from Chin keen.
foo along the low ridge of hills to the rie,r, thus keeping
open a communication between the city and the Yang.
tsar. We may infer, therefore, that they have not teen
much molested by the imperialists, who have a camp at
some distance and a fleet a few miles below of some sixty
vessels, lorchus, and junks, neither army nor fleet appear-
ing much disposed to action. There are evidences of the
march of a column to the Yellow River, since it appears
certain that a city on its banks has been taken by the
insurgents. We have understood, as regards the spirit of
tho chiefs, that some assurance was spontaneously given
of their desire to avoid as far as possible any ulterior
operations causing prejudice to foreign trade; and this
coming direct from a high source cannot be regarded as
unimportant at the present moment.

The latest advices from Shanghai are July 11th,
and state that the insurgents were strengthening
themselves in the positions they had already acquired,
which include the most important in the empire to
foreign trade. They had extended their operations
with success into the populous quarters ut the coun-
try, and not even a rumour has been uttered that
they have met with any reverse of importance.

SHANGHAI, J CIA 9, 18.53.
The 11chellion.—The officers and men from the !Lerma,
who had proceeded to Chinkiang in search of deserters from
her Majesty's steamer Salamander, have returned, after a
fruitless search. They state, however, that the rebel force
is more than ever strongly entrenched within their lines of
defence, extending from Chinkiang to Nankin; that the
intentions of the insurgents are to proceed to Pekin ; and
that a large force has already proceeded northward, oral it
was stated had advanced nearly to the banks of the Yellow
River. A detachment from the rebel many at Nankin has
also proceeded westward, fur the purpose of permanently
occupying some of the most important cities upon tho
Yang-tzl•lidang ; whilst, during these important move-
ments, the imperial forces are reported to be in complete
disorganisation, the officers being a set of imbecile opium
smokers, quite unfit to contend with their opponent•. The
Tisiutae's fleet, now lying at Woolung, is most effective
in enabling the various foreign stores to get rid of their old
stocks.

Larnqua has paid a visit to the authorities at Seed:few;
a day or two after he left, he was followed by the lion.
Coiouel Marshall and suite, in native boats. The whole
party returned two days since, and it is reported that the
Am, rican commissioner has had an interview with the vice-
, roy, but the particulars have not transpired.

• _
By the steamer Lady Mary Wood accounts have
been received from Amay to the 9th of July. The
insurgents still maintained their hold, and all trade
is suspended. Ono thing, however, is manifest—
namely, that the Amoy rioters are content with their
present achievements, whilst those at Nankin are
pressing forward, endeavouring to bring the whole
kingdom to their views. The Amoy insurgents did
attempt to chastise a village in the neighbourhood
supposed to be favourable to the imperial cause, and
unhappily they succeeded in decapitating about 20
villagers, and destroying their dwellings. Between
the 6th and Bth of July the belligerent imperialists
and insurgents had a naval engagement, and not-
withstanding that it lasted three days there was no
harm done on either side. The fact is, that a Chi-
nese fight, naval or military, is mere schoolboy
amusement. On the present occasion the con-
tending parties numbered a fleet of 23 junks
each, and the place of battle was the outer har-
bour of Amoy, where they were observed by the
foreign community day after day, doing little more
than changing their positions and discharging guns
whose shots invariably fell short of the mark—not
one hitting, although the junks occasionally passed
within pistol shot of each other. After the third day
the rebel party returned to the protection of the
foreign shipping and houses, and the mandarin junks
quietly sailed away a few miles. Under instructions
trout the Hon. Colonel Marshall, the United States
commissioner, the American flag has been hauled
down, there being at Amoy no representative of the
existing government of China. The time is not far
distant when the whole of the foreign representa-
tives will be compelled to decide with what govern-
meat of China to communicate, or to whom direct
the revenues to be paid. At present two of the five
ports at which foreigners arc allowed to trade, are
to the hands of the insurgents; and if the latter
move southward they will find the people ripe for in-
surrection. Subjoined is a mercantile letter of the
latest date :

" Amoy, July 9, 1853.
" On the 4th inst. the Mandarin forces effected a
landing on the island, and encamped at a village
ht miles from this, apparently in large numbers.
eight miles from this, apparently in large numbers.
Meantime the rebels threw up breastworks of sand
bags outside the city in the way of their approach.
" Yesterday morning the Mandarin force being
close to the breastworks, an engagement took place,
resulting rather in favour of the rebels, if we may
judge from the fact of their opponents having re-
treated a few miles back. The loss on either side
appears to have been very trifling. The rebels oa
returning to the city exposed on the walls the heads
of 20 of the slain.
" Whilst the troops approached by land the Manda-
rin junks have been endeavouring to gain possession
of the harbour.

" On the 6th inst. about 35 or 40 war junks of
different sizes came round the island, and sailed up
to the entrance of the inner harbour, where they
were met by the rebel fleet, consisting of 5 or six
pirate and some 12 or 13 trading junks, armed and
manned by the rebels, all under the command of a
Singapore-born Chinese, named lien Coon. After a
short engagement the rebels returned to the inner
harbour, and the Mandatins stood out to sea, neither
party seeming desirous to come to close quarters.
" Yesterday the Mandarin fleet appeared agaia off
the entrance of the inner harbour, when the farce of
the previous day was repeated, but the return of the
rebel junks was this time attended with much con-
fusion, and tho Mandarins not following them into
the inner harbour, is said to be ea ing to their desire
to avoid injury to foreign vessels, which fighting
there would probably be attended by. Though &
good deal of tiring look place on both occasions, we
do not hear of any damage heMg done to either side.
The Mandarin fleet remained at anchor about thrco
miles off, and it is supposed will this afternoon mako
another attempt to capture the rebels.
"'1 he place remains quiet, but the shops are closely
shut, and the streets almost deserted. Should the
Mandarins fail in re-taking Amoy now, we fear
many months of suspense and confusion will precede
any return to trade.
' "P.S. The engagement came off this afternoon

between the Mandarin and rebel junks, which ended!
in the hour returning to the inner harbour apple-
rentiv iiiiii•jured. The 'Mandarin fleet remains at
aneli.,r iti the outer harbour, and we much fear them
it now ro hope of its operations checking the power
of the retwl
01 the Mandarins' land force we have no authen-
tic intelligence, but fully expect that the failure of
the adu,.ral to capture the rebel fleet, added to their
own dt lest on the :th, will induce them to leave the
island a.tain far the vicinity of Tangwa. The natives
of the pla e will in all probability be left wholly
at the men,- of the rebels and pirates who now hold
it, We are not afraid of foreigners being plundered
or molested, so long as a man-of-war is in port ; but
before business can go on again, we think toreigners
will base to interfere and protect the natives against
the Muds, otherwise the place will be deserted by
every Chinese of any worth whatever, for the rebels
are liktiy hereafter to exact whatever they want
without scruple.

IRE IMPERIAL DECLARAIION OF THAE-

PING.•
An O!e ou the Origin of Virtue and the Saving of the
World.

(From the North China Herald, June 11.)

The b.llowing is one of the documents circulated
by the 1.1,3eec revolutionists:—
The areet origin of virtue is from Heaven:
Let us now reverently allude to Heaven's war, in order to
arose: you worthies.
The way of Heaven is to punish the abandoned and bless
the wood.
Repent ti erefore with3ut delay, and get the first start in:(I)
of the race.
Virtue has one general root and origin, which is none other
than correctness:
SuCeesstro gentstions, whether early or late, come to but

one col; lusion. •
Aim to enjoy celestial bliss.
Free v. ureelves from worldly ecteidleratione
Ile not ursirged away by the hoar of common feelings;
Abandon ut one, the whole USW of vicious views.
The tru, Spirit who opened out the %Minn° is God alone.
11e un distinction between noble and base ; he must
beben vrrently adored.
God our heavenly Father is the one common parent :
From of ••Id it has been said that the world consists of but
one (Andy,
From the time of Pwan koo, (2) down to the three dynas-
ties (3),
pith pniices and people together honoured one Heaven.
Daring -hat period the sovereign h. Floured God:
The noulra, scholars, and plebeian, all did the same:
It might be compared to children among men honouring
their father;
Whoa both well and ill informed followed the domestic
law. (I)
One feeling pervaded Heaven and men, there were no two
principles ;
And m,narchs were not anowed to follow out their pri-
vate views.
Let God be worshipped,
In thiii let all unite,
Whether west or north,
Whe Corr south or riot.
Ferry fibre and thread depends on God,
Leery drop and mop COMP from toe heavenly Majesty:
It is year duty every morning to adore and every evening
to worship him :
Reason demands that you should praise him for his good.
ness an.: sing of his doings.
Should men neglect this duty. or worship any other,
Let them prostrate the mashes without end, it would be all

_ .
in
Not only woad it be
.without benefit, it would also be

injunoue.
Aid by thus tielutling your own mind, you would incur
Indite' guilt.
If seen dud nut obliterate their natural conscience,
They would know that every breath they draw depends on
11ravn.
He ere.ited the elements of nature and all material things.
No other -pititual being interferes with tie arrangements.
Let as then depend on God alone for arsistance,
Aad ascribe to idols the honour of creation.
If any shoutd say that creation depends on idols,
We world just inquire how things went on before they
were set up ?
Ile warms us by his sun, he moistens us by his rain,
He moves the thunderbolt, he rcatten the wind ;
All these art the ',nitrous nperatiocs of God alone ;
Thew who acknowledge Heaven's favour will obtain a
glorious reward.
Do no: worship corrupt spirits,
Aet lake honest men;
if bhors that which is wrong,
And lot $ whatever is right
Of all wrong ti,ings lewdness is the chief.
When men thus become fiends, Heaven's wrath is aroused.
Thew who debauch others debauch themselves, and they
become finds together.
Far better to sing of the footprints of the gentle deer, and
to celebrate a virtuous posterity. (51
Depraved manners overturn men. Who under such eir-

cumstunees eon stand ?
The only way is to ref.roi your habits, and seek renewal of
mind.
Yen buoy loved learning, and did not repeat his faults;
His four cautions ugavist improprieties are fit to arouse the
mind.

• This purports to be from the pen of the chief of the
innirrecien, Heng—ew-tseuen himself.
(1) There is an allusion here to one Lew-kwun, of the
Tsin dynasty (A.D. 320), who was on friendly terms with
Tsoo-ttih which latter person bad his mind bent on great
undertakings: when Lewkwun addressed his fellows say-
ing, I Iran ea my spear all night till morning, anxious lest
Tsoo-tisih should first apply the whip, tad get the start in
the race.

il) The first man of whom the Chinese speak.
3) Closed B.C. 220.
4) The title of one of the ehapten of the Book of Cere-
monies, treating on filial piety.
(5) There is an allusion hero to the Book of Odes, one of
which Contain/ the following stanzs:
Like the footprints of the gentle deer •
Are a virtuous posterity :
Oh the gentle deer!