The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-27 00:00:00

CHINA.

The China mail of the 27th August contains the
following " news of the day," taken chiefly from the Peking
Gazette THE COUXT.—Tatikwang has shown great
anxiety in determining how various characters used in writ-
ing the names of princes of the imperial family may be ab-
breviated, so as to have a short farm for common occasions.
This apparently trivial matter becomes important when it is
considered that any writer who does not conform to the pre-
scribed order, commits a serious crime, and is liable to heavy
puoi-tnent.—Two eunuchs lately deserted from the palace,
which caused great excitement, as, through their knowledge
of the secrets of the harem, they had the power of divulging
some unpleasant facts. One of them gave as a reason for his
leaving, his desire to accompany the remains of his father to
the tomb; the other said he had broken a dish, and was
afraid he would be punished. They will be put is the tor-
ture till they acknowledge the true reasons. King Woo-
uch-tung, a near relative of the reigning monarch, and a
very old courtier, is dead, and has been buried with very
high honours. His name very frequently occurred in the
tattle of the court. Certain clerks, attached to one of the
tribunals, have been accused of systematically receiving
bribes fur a number of years past. As, however, facts in-
rious to the characters of several of the high officials would
be disclosed during the investigation, the affair is likely
to be hushed up. A distant relative of the emperor
has hanged himself at bluukden. He had been im-
prisoned for some time, and was to have been whipped. This
appears to have preyed upon his mind, and led him
to commit suicide that he might escape the deFradation.—
The President of the Board of Rites has received a multi-
tude of presents from his master, and appcan to have
seavehed the dictionary for the hardest words its which to
el-press his thanks, and this he does at such length, that the

address occupies nearly a whole Gazette. One of Tadkwang'.
Sommer pa'aces has been plundered. The robbers have
lacen discovered, and are now standing their trial. When
the hst deliveries were made from the Mint, a great deficit
appeared in the issues, and the cash was not of the standard
weight. The coiner, have been accused of embezzlement.—
, A very considerable stun has recently been voted for carry-
ing on the hydraulic works. It is much to be regretted that
so many millions have been expended so ineffectually in at-
tempting to secure the lowlands against the flood.
The following are copies of the correspondence which has
posed between the Chairman of the British merchants at
Cant on and H. M. Consul in that city, respecting the recent
distur;rances so injurious to British interests :

COPY. —CAN"TON, Jeer 30.
To F. C. Macgregor, Esq., 11.11. M. Consul, Ike.
Sir,-11aeing reason to believe that the inimical feeling en the part
of the Chinese against the foreign community is by no means abated,
and that an operortunity is only wanting to induce them to vent their
hostility, and to make a more formidable attack upon our lives and
property than has yet occurred • may I respectfully ask it any Mee.
sakes have been a, lopted by ghf. oovernment in this country for
that protection whi, • we hope we, as British subjects trading here
with Leaf sanction and under consular jurisdiction and authority,
have a right to expeet The testimony of those long and
tail-
mutely acquainted with this country, as well as recent farm and
occurrence', afford abundant evidence that the people no longer enter-
tain that reverence for constituted authority whieh formerly tended to
hold thew in check, that a democratic spirit is rapidly gaining
strength and that the authorities in this place in particular have now
little power, and are obliged, in order to quiet the people, to have
recourse to deception and subterfuge. Such being the prevent state
of things, it 10 not likely that we shall be able very long to calculate
upon the tardy and generally inefficient aasistance now afforded or,
and that it 14 more than wettable, that acting again in yam presence
yin, thatat
mucked
ckf.: t:d day.b)„,bt
the
and with your sanction, we shall be called upon to defend ourselves,
his
as It
nder
gtoLuetnu'hveno.tdhoel:siduemamonyf
as on the late occaaion, and in all probability with more fatal cense-
AMeriean gentleman passing quietly in a Hong boat through a creek
notthbtee be
nt
p.earw wan aware,
re'ef,
people for three-quarters of on hour, that Blocks of granite were
bridges and that but for the strenuous efforts of the boatmen, who
were nearly all severely injured on the demean, and from the eir-
eumstanm of the boat being roofed, their lives would probably ham
been sacrificed. This late occurrence, allow me to my, air, may
gene. if in reality necevart to corroborate more fully what I have
already brought forward, omit show more strongly that we are sur-
rounded by, and at the niereyof, anuneontralled and ill-disposed popu-
lace. I am ahe informed that the mandarins, in their yreient emannue-
catione still adhere to the same objectionable policy as that to which I
took the liberty of directing your attention m my lettere( the 15th
instant, and toe upon the Eaglet' as the only parties concerned in
the lute affray, notwithstanding the core you took, as mentioned in
your letter to me of the 16th Mt, to point out to the authorities that
the foreign community, on the late occasion, acted tmeteer fur mu-
tual protection. It is evident that the contemenee of similar
pulley on the part of the Chhame towards us as I have just alluded to.
must, if allowed, be injurious to British interests, and I am grieved
to say that notwithstanding our treaties, our proximity of (long Kong
sad to a British military and nerd force, we are now treated with
greater Motet-elect and contempt than perhaps at any former period
when trade existed, and that that system of encroachment se readily
practised by the Chinese, has also rapidly been gaining ground. As
chairman ol the committee 1 have cone fiered it right to endeavour to
impress upon you that there exists even more necessity now than
before for affording lI.M. subjects and British property adequate
protection; and it is not only the opinion of the whole
omuuunity here, but I understand also of It. li. the Lieutemen-
Governor and of the senior naval officer at Hoeg Kong, and if I
am not greatly mistaken, of you, sir, likewise that, that pro-
tection can on:y be properly afforded to us by u vessel
of war lying either off the factories or at Memo Passage, able at all
times to render immediate aid. I he Wolverene, now at Wipe:epee
and, I understand, placed at your disposal, avant semi 1.14, as you are
well aware, any assedance in a shorter time than le or I hours, and
I, therefore, hope that you will Ste the necessity of placing her M a
position more likely to be of service to IL M. subjects. Whatever
measures may be adopted, the British community wall feel that they
hare not been wanting in repress ting to H. M. government in China
the true state of feeling among the Chinese population, the precarious
and unsatisfactory nature of their position as British merchant+, anal
the serious inconveniences of tome likely to arise both to themselves
and those at home from the want of adequate protection to British
commerce. May I request the favour of your communicating the
contents of this letter to H. M. Government at home.-1 have the
honour to remain, Sir, your most obedient humblesereant,
(Signed) A. Cut mime Chairman of the Committee.
British Consulate, Canton, July it.
Sir,—l received your letter of yeeterdayee date, In whiele after
stating that you have remelt to believe that an oppor,unity es only
wanting to induce the Chinese to rent Beer temility, and to make a
more formidable attack on the limo and property of the foreign Dom-
munity than has yet occurred, you inquire, as chairman of a commit-
tee of British merchants, whether any measures base been adopted by
her Majesty', government in this country for the due protection of
British subjects. Ina circular I adelreved to British rear:Moats on
the 9th instant I stated that "her Majesty's government. imperatively
require that the Chinese authorities should not be interfered with in
reprising the violence of the mob, unless they themselves slanted re-
quire our assistance." This restriction applies to any force from Bre
dah vessels of war. Though on the evening of the but the authorities
were somewhat tardy in deopatching aseseence to the fact Ties, it is
not therefore to be interred that they hue: not the will or the pewee
to protect we 1. Because the tumult Li quelled by their interference
said authority, the place being perfectly quiet at this moment, and
2. Because from 200 to 300 soldier" are stationed in places mound she
factories to preserve the peace, and these at night are joined by run-
ners attached to the district magistrate. Neither Awed it be inferred
from the cireumetanee you relate of an attack upon some American
gentlemen, in a creek on the opposite side of the river that any feel-
inge of animosity more than common actuate the populace at large,
for the attack in question is by no means an isolated eve of the kind,
but one of several to which various parties have had to sub-
mit at all times, in places but little frequented by fo-
reignera' where the ignorance of the rabole is apt to
magnify the cell report which has obtained against us since
' the climbers which betel them daring the war. In order to teat the
disposition of the people, and to decide upon the contlictine reports
current re :meeting it, I walked last evenim with Mr. Joekoon iv all
direction." in the back streets for nearly an hour and a half, atten-
tively observant of the gestures and behaviour of the people, 'fuel do
not (Imitate to state that I never obverted on any other dee:eon lege
manifestation of dislike or revengeful feelings. As nlreudy stated
you, 1 hose made the load authorities fully aware that (awesome+ in
general were combined for mutual protection on the evening of the
Bth. Considering the readiness with which they came to our used-
' ante in repelling the attack of the rioter" on Mr. Church's pre-
' wide, when they might have confined themselves within their own
walls for their own protection, I fear it might appear ungracious
again to remind the Governor-Generel of their participation in
the dee:item which succeeded, more especially as there can be nu
doubt of his thorough knowledge of it. With regard to the necessity,
SA urged by you, for anchoring the Welverene an front of the fac-
tories or in the Macao Passage, I must premise that the 10th article of
the Supplementary Treaty sufficiently indicates the anchorage of the
port, and the purpose for which the presence of a vessel of war was
stipulated fur; while the latter part of the easne article clearly
expresses the nectsaity of caution against exciting misgivings
awing the people. Although it is probably as well known
to the Chinese authorities as to ourselves, that the Wol-
verene has been sent to Whampoa In consequence of the recent dis-
turbance, it is nevertheless obviows to my mind, that her neaten
appearance off the factories at this moment would excite the misgiv-
ings of the populace, and that the very effect would be produced
thereby, that it is so neemoare to avoid, while it iv much to b.• fed ed
that any amount of fume wheel could be landed would be wholly In-
adequate to offer effectual tee/dance to the infuriated mob of a city
like "Canton." Without more urgent reasons, therefore, than
already given I cannot, in oppositioa to my own judginete, and the
mast positive instructions from her Majesty's Government, take upon
myself to direct the nearer appraises of the Wuivereue. 1 have the
honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) F. C. MAOGIZOOS.
A. CAMPBELL, Eve
F. C. Macgregor, Esq., H.B.M. Conde, Bic., Aug. 4.
have the honour of acknowledging your knee of the 81st
ultimo, in reply to mine, in which as crraan of a committee :ap-
pointed by the British community, I took the liberty of inquiring
what steps hail been taken fur the protection of the lima, the pioperty,
and the important trade which we feel to be still in jeopardy. It is
with much regret I learn from the exposition of vour views with
which thin letter Lemma me, that the assistance which the Lieute-
nant-Governer of Hong Kong placed at your dispoml, and which the
senior naval officer of that station agrees with ell the rest of hie
countrymen in thinking neeary, is not to be afforded them. You
Inform us that " her Majesty's Government imperatively require that
the Chinese authorities shall not be interfered with in repreving the
violence of the mob, unless they themselves should require our evid-
ence." It is not for me to question your instructions, and in com-
menting upon them, and on your interpretation of them,
I meet anxiously desire to speak with all becoming respect ; but, Sir,
the committee appointed by the British community, of which I am
but the organ, feel—my countrymen feel, that they have the right and
that it is their duty to make known to you, sad through you to her
Majesty's Government, their unaltered conviction of the necessity of
the measure of which they have before preyed the adoption, and of the
utter futility of looking to the Chinese Government fur timely aid,
always promised, never afforded. liming understood from you that
it hid been mete a subject of serious complaint, the community will
we with some surprise the faint expression made use of in your
letter as to " the Chinese authorities having been somewhat tat& in
dispatching desistance." Surely such term by no means characte"riste
the shameful apathy which left us for more than three home at the
mercy of a mob, nor can it be said that the riot was timely quelled
by tieChineve authorities. It wax finally quelled by the mire and deter-
mination evinced by the foreign community, led on by thee to whom
they naturally look in anions of danger and deflaulty, and who were
sound faithful at their poets. The Chinese authoritiee, were they
always on the alert, which they never are, might check disturbance at
its outbreak, but are helpless when danger is great and imminent.
Further, Sir, British subject+ do not feel that the measures since
taken by the Chinese authorities arc at all "efficient to prevent recur-
mike et 011trage. The elements of mischief met unchecked, the ob.
atructione and annoyances of which the community have mineeinet
are unto:nosed, and the few debauched and ragged creatures loitering
about our homes, dignified here by the name of soldiers, would be
utterly unable to reprieve any disturbance which might suelenly arise.
KM. Government desires that the Chinese authorities, should not be
interfered with. It can surely be no interference that in their ateence
our force should act. Surely, Sir, experience has amply shown the
efficacy of a disciplined body of men timely called in and firmly
directed, and how lamentable have been the consequence, of negket-
ing the early ouppression of the most trifling disturbance. ; and yet it
is thought prudent to rely on Chinese aid, which I must again remind
you, on the evening of the Bth, was more than three hours, in reseching
us, and which the long and bitter experleam of so many of our arm-
hers have had of similar scenes, informs them has never been afforded
except in the same culpably dilatory manner. I cannot think your
inference of the good disposition of the people towards foreigners
borne out by the feet of yourself and Mr. Jackson having walled out
in the back streets unmolested. You might doubtless hare dune the
mine half an hour before Mr. Church's bowie was broken into, on the
Bth July, or the factories fired, in December, 1812. It ban never been
aleged, however, that we could not with safety leave our homes; that I
an attack was inevitable. Ad that has been asserted is, that an attack
may at any moment be made, that a fetal disturbance may thence
grim, and the Chinese government will not, or ("newt, or do
no: check nee disturbances in proper time, and that they are of fre-
quent occurrence can hardly be used U an argument against the
adoptingof measures to prevent their endingri in the fa
whosemob, passions
you admit to be exasperated against us. You seem to have mi.under.
good ray allusion to the Chinese authorities having entirely cleared
over thiparecipation of al foreigners in the affeirof the Nth. I believe
there is no British subject here who desires to evade his share of the
responsibility of the severe but necessary measures then remated to;
but British interests require that our countrymen should not be Stigli.
ou.sly singled out tram the MASS on all OCC.:400115: and I must be par-
doned fur informing von, that there 14 a very general feeling in the
British community, that greater favour is In many ways shown the
American than to British residents. It is penaihle this state of things
(if it exist; may arise from the recollection of the recent war,
or it is poodlee that the recollection of that war has been too easily
effaced, laid that the desire to conciliate and the habit of deference
have led an arrogant people to encroachment. Pardon me, brute
general relfeetions. There remains to notice the paragraph in your
letter in which it is attempted to be proved that Centon is not within
the Pert of Canton, and that that cannot by treaty be demanded which
may yet by eineunatenees be necessary. I venture to remark, that
lorehas and em It mewls come eonetantly up to the faces:tea, load
and discharge there:; that vessel. of more considerable rice have beenup been. l'hysical difficulties, the inconvenience of many ships, the
kapoeMbility of any of considerable lase or deeply laden piing out or
caning in—these circumstances have made Whampoe the usual an.
chorsge for merchant vessels; but I may farther remind you that
nothing can be well more uncertain than the limits of Wlempoa,
the ships occupying, without any particular regulation, a apace of
several miles. I son aware that, by the 10th At tide or the Treaty,
it is stated that the purpose for which the cruiser Is to be
stationed at each of the Bee porta is to enforce good 'order and died-
'
perm " among the crews of the merchant shipping,' but by the 14th
cilium of the Regulations oi Trade this is more fully explained. "An
Lregiisla cruiser will anchor within each of the Ace ports, that the
con-al may have the means of better restraining sailers and others
and preventing eisturbance." It will not surely be raid that 'aer
nujesty'a fiat can fly anywhere to mere., and yet nut to protect her
stiejects. It is to prevent disturbance that we ask for the efficient
protection of that dog, for we cannot at ell share in the apprehension

you express of the inackmh.ry of the furre now within reach : we feel
that it would be sufficient:. Inianclusion, I must solemnly, in the name
of the community, reiterate the opi.:1011 of thai, rolumullitYthat it is
neemeary for the safety of our livery fritTerty, ana trade, that a ship
of war should be permanently situated near the Fsei.:Css. ly
these are of more importance than the chalice of incurring the Übe
misgivings of a populace, and his respomibility is great, wlto with the
power to protect, withholds protection. The committee discharge
themselves of all responsibility in thus ideally, strongly, but they
trust respectfully, expressing their minds. I have the honour to be,
Sir, your obedient bumble servant ,A. CAXPOILL, Chairman.