The Express.
London, England, 1858-02-17 00:00:00

CHINA.

CAPTURE OF CANTON.
(From Last Night'a Gaudio.)
WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, Pin. 16.
The Secretary of State for War Lasthis day re-
ceived a despatch,• of which the following lea copy, addressed
to his lordship by Major-General C. T. Van Shanbenaas,
C. 8., commanding her Majesty's bad fewer in China
Claim, Dec. 29, 1857.
My Lord,-1 hare great adisfectioa la reporting that
I Canton city was escaladed and captured this day at nine
o'clock, with a more trifling less thaa could bare 1111011 ex•
peeted. Great emulation was displayed by the whale allied
tome, amongst whom the greatest cordiality sad geed feeling
exists.
We have to deplore the loss of Captain Bass, of the royal
navy ; also of Lieut. Hackett, of the 59th Regiment Lieut.
Bowen, of Ito earns regiment, boa been aeriously wounded.
All is *till in confusion, sad the mail leering ; I mod,therefore, defer further detail till the next opportunity.—
1 have, du.,
C. T. VAN Sit, ,113211, Major-General,
Commanding Troops in China.
Fort Gough is now being occupied.
The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for War, de.

ADMIRALTY, Fr e. 15.
Despatches, of w►ich the following are copies, hays
been received by the Leeds Commissioners of the Admiralty
from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour.

OPERATIONS AT CANTON.

Her Majesty's Ship Coromandel, at Canton, Dec. 28.
Bir,—My letter, No. 343, of the 15'h inst., conveyed the
intelligence of tha
.peaceable occupation of llonan Point by
the forces of the Allied Powers, and that a letter bad been
sent in to Yeti, the Imperial High Commissioner, by the
ambassador, of the Allied Powers, stating the demands of
the two governments, and granting ten days for a considers-
lion of the same, failing compliance with which coercive
measures would his commenced against the city of Canton.
The brigade of Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery
were immediately afterwards brought up to the large store-
hoarse on Hosea, and comfortably quartered, as wall as a
portion of the Naval Brigade. The troops were left on board
the transports LancsaWre Witch and Muoreafoot, at
Whampos, end the French Contingent remained on board
their own ships, except • small party in conjoint occupation
at Hones.

On the 18th I received a communication from the Earl of
Elgin and Baron Gros, stating that the reply of the High
Commissioner had been received—that it was most unsatis-
factory, and invitiog the naval and military oommandees-In-
chief to a conference on board the Audacieuae, to cenaider
what further steps should be taken, in consequence of Wee
determination to resist the very moderate demands of the two

governments.
The conference was held on the 21st inst., when it was
determined that the plenipotentiaries should address a letter
to the Imperial High Commissioner, informing his Excel-
lency that, in consequence of his non-compliance with the
demands submitted ter his consideration, the farther settle-
ment of the question had been transferred to the naval end
military authorities, and that we should also aides.. a letter
to his Excellency stating the above fact, and that if, at the
end of a farther torus of forty-eight hours, the city should be
pe irefully surrendered into our hands, life and propert
would be respected ; but that, if the terms were not accepted,
the city would be attacked.
. _ _

,
AU our efforts to avert the evils of war from the Chinese
haying failed through the obstinate determination which
hes characterised the proceedings of the Imperial Commis-
sioner from October 21, 1858, nothing remained for the com-
manders of the allied forms but to sad.. the Imperial Com.
ralssioner, and to carry into execution the painthl alternative
of attacking Canton, which was commenced at daylight this
morning. The departure of the packet will prevent my
giving any further roves. I em c. 0.,/ r.n the point of join-
ins, the forces ,I.cinbarking at Kupete Island for the assault
on the city walls.
. . . . . _

I beg to enclose copies of two general orders of the 26th
instant, and of memoninda fanned by Major-General Van
Btranbenzse, containing the necesuery arraogetuents for the
attack, which I hope will put their lordships in full posies-
'ion of onr intended proceedings.
I hare pleasure in reporting that the most perfect tumni-
mity exists between the coon:menden-in-chief of the allied
fortas. I hare, de.,
St

(Signed) ETMOUR,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London.
[The general order and general memorandum have already
Leen published.]

CAPTURE OF CANTON.

Headquarters, Dee. 29, 1867.
sir,—lt is with the highest feelings of satidaotion that I
have the honour to report, for the information of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that the city of Canton waa
assaulted ttds morning by the naval and military forces under
the command of Rear-Adruiral Sir Itigault de Oesouilly,
Major-Oeneral Van Scraubmaree,and myself, and was taken by
eaealade. Full particulars will be given by the next packet.
Our gratification at this quick success, with trifling l
hut been damped by • great calamity, in the deathos; of
Captain William Thornton Bate, of her Majesty's ship
Activon, who was killed by a gingell ball, whilst recon-
noitering a suitable spot for placing our waling ladders.
This sad event has thrown • gloom over the whole force,
Captain Bate being no less beloved fur his many virtues,
than respected and admired for his professional ability. By
the death of Captain Bate, her Majesty has lost a moat able,
realons, end faithful servant.
_

We—iere ties toes of one other officer to deplore, Lieute-
nant Hackett, of the 59th Regiment, who, shortly alter
landing, wan murdered by a party of Chinese soldiers.
I hare only heard of two ofiloers wounded . Lieutenant
Lord /Milord, of the Calcutta, severely, arm broken by a
gingell bell ; and Mr. Thompson, Midshipman of the Sans-
pareil, severely wounded by a rocket. lam busily employed
with my gallant colleagues in securing our position.—
I hare, At., (Signed) M. Seraroya,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London.

We arc requested by the President of the Indian
Mutiny Relief Fund to state that a rensittsace of 1501.185. has
been received from her Britannic Majesty's Coaxal at Charles-
ton, South Carolina, accompanied by a let er containing the
following gratifying statement I think it proper to add
that a considerable proportion of this amount has been Sub-
smiled by American citizens, who have been desirous of
uniting with the British residents in the expression of their
sympathy with the guarani by the Indian mutinies."

PARLIAMENTARY PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH
RATE ANOLITIONTISTIL—In prospect of fresh legislative
discussions and divisions cm the church rate question, the
following Gramme of the steady mogrees made by the
orb .litioniat party daring the last few years will be read with
interest. It le extracted from a work just issued by the
Liberation Soefetg;swentitled " Voles of N.F.s on Ecclesias-
tical Questions, on, 1857"
1633.1 1864. 1866. 1666.
Abolitionist
For
Against
Total
Majority against 48 FT .
„ for X 43
A 811.1,-TAIIGIrT ARTIST.—The corporation of
Lynn, a retold sitting. resolved to present en honorary
(in lieu of the " hoodoos" now disallowed by the
hinnicipal Reform Act) to Mr. Thomas Balsa, a self-
taught artist (end sou of a thip•captabt of this town) who
hen achieved for himself on honourable position by his own
enterprise and industry, having served as • volintser
in the Cape, whilst pursuing hia selected avocation,
having subsequently as en artist accompanied the North
Australian exploring expedition, under Mr. Gregory,
and being now, very shortly disc his return thence,
appointed in the lame COPOCitY. r one of the selected
companions of Dr. Livingstone in his now and tropmtent
expedition Into the heart of Africa, which is expected to sail
on the 15th inst., and to terminate probably five or Pia years
hence. Mr. Baines has received considerabl• honours from
the Royal Oeographical Society (of which he is • member),
and other learned bodies; and the endor.. merit of them com-
pliments by the corporation of hie native town was a well-
deserved tribute to his merits. The address was
by the mayor at • public meeting in the Town- ma the
Bth last., and there was an exceedingly crowded attendance
of all dames is the town. The hall was deconitel with
Sags, as were also the *Lipping in the harbour, end mono
=Io buildings, and the occiudon wan one of (sass! loud