The Express.
London, England, 1858-07-27 00:00:00

CHINA.

CAPTURE OF CHINESE FORTS.
The Orerland IRidosor of China, of June 7, has the
following summary :

" From this part of the world the news is pithy
and exciting. We have to tell of two battles—one
a vietory, the other not unlike a defeat. The victory
consists in the capture of the forts at the month of
the Peiho—the other affair, an attack on a camp of
braves about a dozen miles north-east of Canton.
Our lames in both badness., were severe.
Through the explosion of mines rather than by gun-
shot, the casualties at the Penni exceeded 100. At
Canton some 60 were hors de combat from sunstroke,
besides about a dozen killed, wounded, or made
prisoners.
" In resumption of our usual chronicle of the
movements of the Earl of Elgin and the other
ambassadors, we have now to report as follows.
Tan, Governor-General of Chihle, having inti-
mated his authority to treat on behalf of the Em-
peror, was requested to obtain letters of similar pur-
port to those handed by Ilipu and Keying in the
negotiations at Nankin in 1842. What was the
astonishment of the ambassadors to learn from the
lips of Tan that Sir Henry Pottinger was imposed
upon, and that Keying forged the Emperor's letters
of authorisation of which the Earl of Elgin had sent
Tan copies.
" It was the American and Russian envoys who
were told this ; neither the Earl of Elgin nor
Baron Oros have yet seen a Chinese Mandarin in
the north. Its understood that on learning what
Tan said, the French and English ambassador,
intimated to him that only at Peking would they
now treat ; and at once demanded a suitable escort.
The time allowed for compliance with the request
having expired, Admirals Seymour and De °s-
nootily were requested to see what vfrtne lay in
shells; and upon this the forts at the entrance of
the river were taken. As the despatch betrays
left the Gulf of Pecheli on the 22nd ultimo, the
allied squadron of gunboats was proceeding on to
Teentsin.
" The Russian and American envoys appear to
have been very useful as 'go between': Lees
panetiliou than the French and English ministers,
the American at once declared to Tan what it was
his government wanted ; discussed the details of a
new treaty. and only broke off negotiations when
Tan point blank declared that Peking could be no
place of residence for officers of foreign govern-

ments. The particular business of the Russian envoy
in his conference with Tan (or Tan-tsing-siang)
said to have been confined to the question of boon- -we
dariea. In reality, however, there is no knowing
what the Russ is up to.
" With the aid of the French Artillery, Sappers,
Marines, and seamen, some six hundred in all,
which have just left Hong Kong for the Gulf, it is
supposed that, after making a demonstration on
Teen-tam, the admirals will simply hold the points
captured, and maintain a strict blockade till cool
weather sets in, when, with further reinforcements,
we can advance on the capital. As for concession
from Hienfang, until he is thoroughly punished, and
a prisoner perhaps, we may not expect it.
Trade has been very dull at Canton for some
weeks past ; and the news from Peking appears
more than likely to put a atop to it altogether.
Far-seeing Chinese say that in a few weeks we
shall have a difficulty in obtaining provisions
even in Hong Kong—for the Ewes are at work
now that they know the Emperor's real senti-
ments. The government in commission are
acting as blindly as ever. A week or two ago
they took off the embargo on goods moving from the
city. In 12 hours 18,000 packages were carried
through the gates. This was alarmiug :so interdic-
tion again became the order of the day.
" The expedition in search of braves appears
to have been a most ill-managed affair. Mr. Com-
missioner Parkes had received information from
one of his emissaries that tents were pitched some-
where under the mountains to the north-east of
Canton, and about abreast the Lih-tah barrier, say
midway between Whampoa and Canton. Thus
information being conveyed to Major-General Van
Straubenzec, his Excellency determined on a recon-
naissance. Off accordingly started Mr. Parkes, the
General, the French Commodore, and some others
(the Adjutant-General, Colonel Stephenson, is in
Hong Kong we see). In course one of the temples
on the mend° was reached and there they went
to breakfast. Wandering away a little distance
from the Refectory, one of the party happened to
see below the identical tents they were in search of.
" Such is the story as it hasbeen given tons byone
not an eye witness. Whether upon this all of them
returned to the city (we expect they did)—or, as we
were first informed and reported, a detachment went
back for reinforcements, we cannot say, but it is a
fact that with three days' rations, about sundown, a
large body of men left the city, and to support the
movement a naval brigade, under Captain Grenfell,
of the Amethyst, was organised. At this point we
will let each arm of the service speak for itself.
A naval friend says :
" The (naval) brigade was in two divisions-210 men from
the Tribune, Amethyst, and Bittern, and 150 from the Ca.
mills, Hornet, and Actrem. The last-mentioned division
was under Coville of the Camilla (the only oommander in
the brigade), and left Canton at midnight. In due time they
fell in with the other division near the Lanz•shire Witch, and
a landing was effected in good order. But after that, whew!
Where were the roods I' However, on they went till, when
within a mile of the braves' camp, Orentell called a halt."
"CaptG., I would suggest that we went in a dub," said the
plucky Corille—Commander C.'s suggestion pissed un-
heeded. Again suggested--again dieregarded. One hour,
two hours, three mortal hours did that Brigade remain sta-
tionary, till bye-and-by the sun took its effect and down
dropped the men—Welt throughout the day to the number
of eighteen were WI floored,none fatally. Another suggestion
by Commander Covdle to go in with a dash meets • mimes
of "Go to the rear with your men, Sir, and bring up lb.
sick." This was simply to get quit of the Importunity.
" Now for the letter of a friend in 'tether arm :

From all accounts, the first day must have keen an ex-
ceedingly pleasant one ; the party arriving at the point ia-
landed before tie heat of the day had fairly set in. The
locality fixed upon was exceedingly picturesque, a large
though almost deserted joss hones„ in • well wooded and
watered valley some few hundred feet beneath the
highest peak of the " White clouds." In 'pile of the
intense heat of the min, the strength of the brims
rendered the atmosphere, especially in the thader:g
refreshing to men who had for some five months been oo
up inside the walls of Canton.
In the course of the forenoon an intreached enoampassat
was discovered about five MUM distant, containing about 50
or 60 large ridge tents; this the general at once decided to
attack; ai exploit, however, as the result will show, easier
in anticipation than in execution.
During the afternoon we beard in Canton that Colonel
Holloway, with 600 Marines, 60 Artillerymee, and two field
pieces, had received orders to advance in • direction about
midway between the general's position and the river while
the gunboats were to land somewhere between Canton and
Wbampoa, the 70th Native Infantry and 900 men of the
Naval Brigade, it being hoped that by this arrangement the
Chinese would besurrounded and cut to pieces.
Vain hope I Gunboats grounded; the two field-pleess
stuck feat, or were kept back by some Impassable obstacle—
and the vest majority of the troops lost their way amongst
the paddy fields.
A strong forte. of French however, the general's party,
and • portion of Colonel Holloway's fora got into communi-
cation at last, sod shortly afterwards the Chinese opened the
bell by a eiroultaneous discharge of eight or ten large jtsg
from the neighbourhood of a village on the left hand aids
the line of march, ear men thrown out in ekirroiehing order
soon drove the enemy (some 300 the Chinese themselves
mid) away. For the time only, u I regret to add that Dr.
Turnbull pooling the same way on a pony a short time after-
, ward. was captured and decapitated, though the trunk wee
recovered and received such burial as It was in the power oil
our men to give. An orderly with a dooley and four of the
I military train coolies litowise disappeared in the same place.
Of the fighting during the day there is little to tell.

From letters which have been received describing
the capture of the forts it appears that, by
the explosion, 58 of the French, including
four lieutenants were blown into the
one of them, first of the Fusee, and eleven men,
being among the killed. The English had twenty.
five killed and wounded, the only officer among
the former being a carpenter (it was supposed of
the Fury). Mr. Prickett, Master of the Opossum,
was struck by a grape shot, which took away parts
of one side and thigh.

THE CHRISTIANS IN TURKEY.

CANDIA, JuLT 13.

Vely Pacha has just left for Constantinople by the
Ottoman steamer Poarsoud. Semi Pacha, the new
governor, arrived yesterday morning. The first acts
of his administration will be anxiously watched.
From the warm manner in which he greeted
Vely Pacha, and the honours which he caused
to be rendered to him, it is to be inferred
that the new governor-general does not
approve of, and will not follow Ahmed Paches
policy. Chefik Effendi, the member of council whir
encouraged the populace to drag the body of the
Cheek in the streets, has been dismissed. It will
be very difficult for Semi Pacha to make any per-
moment change in the state of things. The
Christians are exasperated, and declare they will
not lay down their arms till they have obtained
serious guarantees for the future, but it is not very
clear what they mean by that expression. Mean.
while they are fortifying their positions, and thej
continually receive contraband supplies of arms and
munitions. The number of Christiana in the Isle
of Crete who have arras in their hands, is not lees
than 10,000. Mavroieni is the chief of this instil'.
reotion, which is becoming very serious.

CANADA.

(IT 311716111 AND IRISH XAONITIC TBLICIILAPIO
(saw' ova OWN oosazorturayars.)

LIVERPOOL, TV MAT. •
The steamer Anglo-Baxoo, from Quebec, 17h
hut , was off Donaghadee at 8.30 this morning. tihn
is due here to-night.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

The First Lord of the Admiralty will hold a levy
to-day (Tosoday), which is poetposed to four o'clock.

Lieutenants Cud, Pocock, sad Norris, RS., have
been appointed Admiralty wine oa the Sontlumptal
station.

POSTBIIOIITII, Intr 26.
The Royal Sovereign, 131, screw, will go out se
harbour to-morrow, to make a first trial of her meal& SO
was taken out of *bests= basin to-day.
The Cesar, 91, screw, Captain Charles Frederick, mg
,spoded to-day by Rear-Adruiral the Hon. Choir Orrb
Her Majesty embarked on board tbe royal yacht Victoria
and Albert, off Osborne, this evening, and pooeeded
short Grubs. &se was Waled by the ship' at Spitball. •