The Express.
London, England, 1857-01-31 00:00:00

THE WAR IN CHINA.

DESPATCHES PROM ADMIRAL SEYMOUR.
(rut LAWT 11101Ie1 OA/IMO
ADMIRALTY, JAN. 29.

Despatches, of which the following am copies,
have been received from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael

Seymour, K.C.8., Commander-in-Chief of her Ma-
jesty's ships and vessels on the Bast India and China
atatton
Niger, at Canton, Dec. 14, 18.56.
Sir,—l hero the honour to report proceedings at Canton
atom my letter, No. 106, of 24th ultimo, for the information
of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
Oa the Nth the United Steele COlOllOOl6OOOO informed
American eitiems. that the Imperial High Commimioncr
had to pair mashed= for the recent halt to
their gsg. Omemedmis rsAuSg would Sot Emit from
amperobe mamma is sari@ absahl mods, sad
a pmealea gleam hat the kg &mid be re-
speehd hr the Mew ,
The Ommedato &thumbed sa amodelsa ef Har-
die Fara asps, of tad& I lave dreek reported,
and commuted Wyk( Ihmt
In the ire of the stem by 37 war Wm Issued from
• meek, mid sertated la kr sheet fear miles ban the En-
omMer, fa &eat ersisr. Oaphie O'Calkyltan rob .1M e..
pt width my of Om km hilreher day, but without
Mast. Ilmo Mom Gael atemed dm*, eke Wisher. These
bids ban mime Need
Reek bribe method me diet dr Mom wage busily
ersphyol Y esetrieg dr 'kaolin Pe" I mat the Bar-
maids dews the Mew F ea he Mk with Captain
Twills, sad a party Royal to cheek any such
sad Is haarty the bra 180 soldiers were
=thdibrsomil 111 pal hut ban rasanted. The troops
woes Mega sok, md naiad melees ; a few minis
emir the woks thew COMMlladte
701111000% hike lahardsil=bma ma of dr ad-
jib( scrip, who totplebbedsd the propels of gig
rub, molar posmin at mud from the mandarins, that
myWebs st th *dor lamp. Is Primo the fort would malt In the
e piece.
pair 11th two 10-bah awl= ars rasubed on the
Dula key, sad their map we Idol oaths ?wash Falk
Tara
Oa lha led bit a mast radattahely 400.1.11110111sait place.
Captain Corm di., she bed bra Maks/ hr service
st Nike. was i=limibitithswelllng
an of some
Chime kiln the , whoa an of them
NAY* maim, Imm whist sedabsi seek exteadre
Wades me 10 00100 Ms death la het dna ihms boon.
Ovid' Owner bad bee of the giedual teddemco la

etree=aramad_ I emmet too highly ewes
algae seal sod pedmeleael abihty he gla-
gm Idegeates aerelee bre maenad a MIMI
ejltie meth* sad. Ime the Ceeemendel to Haag
Kong wide the emir et ths reerei pang officer.
TM admen mehedeleaberiagewermed and strengthened
the Fiore Pally Fart, elteellederer the south-mat city ei
=rib err adendm leandte, occupied by troop.,
Imidag send-beg batteries en either side of it, not-
withstaadleg we had endeavoured to check them by the fire of
the gam and mortars in the Dutch Folly, I determined on
its dearnelea, se threatening a hostile concentration of force,
sad being en Meads to the free navition of the
deer, by the prow through the Barrier Forte,
The Inwerenter and Barrscouta accordingly shifted
their paelliens M WOW the Dutch Fully on the
errs Sal, end en the following morning I embarked
la the
seat dropped down to the fort, accompanied
by the Male elemerhaa having on board about 350
srelherm asse NA bed llarlewa, under the command of
=.terWileten and rose Has. A. A. Cochrane, C. 8., of the
end Wgsr, Nei CifilliillS Penrose and Boyle of
the loyal Yerime. The Ate were anchored about 830
redo from the Ilaa, berg se are as the depth of water per-
Vsad at soma axa. a heavy and effective fire me
ham them, and from the Dutch Folly ; the boats soon
pesbei an ahem and ear flag was planted on the wells
aides het, Mahe the hearty amen of the assailing putt,
The Chimes troops tyke attempted to rally, but were quickly
driven hack, and the affair was over within one hour from the
bet pea bola* find. The fort mounted about 20 heavy gun;
Ma saws et various calibre in the sand-bag Gantries.
Thew la the *dare mounted somewhat similar to ships
gee, valtlessurdejst secured to spare aroma the outside of
Me endell■NieL Illiejives some colour to tho report that
mew Oft the garden served in European ship.
The mad said Omer were found on the walls of the
Preach Pay,eining empeede far the mauler of all Engels-
Yam, sad ofadeine Intik
As sour soca r pribre lad ersed, a !arty of Rayed
Azar% eahreerreed et Captain O. Bolton, commenced
the dr67dlea litho hr.
Mrs IRO seek rd sprung under the works, whist. laid
the whole dila =eft granite in a heap of ruins, barely
me star Mimi liii la he original position. The guns were
61820714 and Bair new carriages burnt. Throughout the
ft feeble were made by the Chinese troops to dis-
turb or o rendering it necessary for our covering
=1.47:
dbilifimilleir to keep them from advancing. Them
caught fire, sad were bunt to the
wad.
ci=per= the Dutch Folly Fort, in charge of
C. Elliot, throw aholls from the
Meekgraglits ligoid=here tree had been previously oh.
ssre4 tidelt two magazines.
nelifaMilLital teseaptitude displayed by the officers
id ma, ad avid moons which crowned their eau,
IlkiegniMlM mg MeMseet commendation. I am happy to
be leder Hat sr relliwal amounted to one private,
Zrall SOMMM gliel uremia ship
Winchester,
kad.
The idpel IMO Mad several tinues—the Encounter bv a
Liz ameir shot. The ships returned to the Factory Creek
It has linen reported that the Chinese authorities placed
grelegises* in the strength of the fort, barked as it woe
im of a large body of troupe. On the sth a
to
semen to the Comma, and a private Royal Ma-
de% dthe having, contrary to orders, strayed from
tripper la Mace° Fort to Homan Island, were attacked
by sem d the imbeirents of the village of Nan-plea. The
assielnemer mmdered, sad his head carried off; the seaman
ximpliforier eves, and was drowned. The next day I
NM Ille ameamas to the locality. and burnt the village,
whisk WS Ora desersL I also issued a proclamation, of
whir I mien 6 cry, pointing out the cause of this
sad the same consequences &mad
say bee his hi in a similar manner.
The ships of nor completed the demolition of
the Barrier Mob at the elik, sad dropped down to Wham-
%Aft hie were d enormousstrength and tolidity
INlkildyillik af begs Wore of granite, with walls fish
Hsi Oak. Zareeberily armed, ninny of the mute
haler 7 rob err ells a bore of 13 inches: one braes
81-inch pme rarer kr keg.
The Levant seder mirky at Denton.
A party el 91/ slicers Sid OM, belonging to the Calcutta,
came up on the 7th, to replace the Winchester's detach-
ment.
I visited the Beene Forte en the Bth. They have been
effectually gemenfM• under the direction of Captain the
lion. Km& Iliviort, of the Nankin.
A esemen to one of the river steamers was seized
by seared the irlals, on the 12th instant, who attempted
to kill Yes. He managed, however, to effect his escape,
though swerely wounded. I inemediately despatched Captain
Hall te 10 down the government buildings and Custom-
house, who the seizure was made, which was promptly
executed. It I. only by sweenery proceedings that we can
hope to avert the evil intent of the High Commissioner's
premiums for our heads.
. Ruiner*us complaints of piracies in the neighbourhood of
Hong Kong lacing been anode to me, I despatched the
Sampeon to check them. In her first enise oheespturod one
junk and destroyed five. In the second she saw no suspicious
vowels, and is now at Bong Kong.
I have had no communication with the Imperial Commis-
sioner, his Excellency having withdrawn the troop. from the
neighbouring districts for the protection of Canton. The
country is represented to he in the most disorganised date,
bands of robbers committing depredations and murders in
every direction. I learn that there are from 17,000 to 20,000
troops and militia in the city, but they have not es yet made
any offensive demonstration, and even were they to attack
the factories I should have no fear of the result.

—The stoppage of the traffic at Canton must caw a severe
pressure. The river, which used to be thronged with junk'
and boats, is now comparatively clear, and I feel a confident
hope that the mee.sures which have been taken will prove
suceessful.
When the proper time eerier., the fulfilment of stipula-
tions, granted by treaty, should be rigidly insisted on.
Compulsion is the only argument to convince the Chinese.
Moderation is considered but another name for the want of

means to carom* compliance.
A few Acne were thrown into the city veatcrday from
the butch Folly, in the direction of tllo government
buildings.
It is gratifying to report that the form continues healthy
and in excellent spirits.
I enclose copes of correapendence misfire to this letter,
with a schedule of the ..me.-1 have, &e.,
(Signed) M. Strmoun,
Rear-Admirel and Commander-in-0W.34
_

The Secretiuy of ihe Admiralty, London.
I enclose a copy of a letter which I envy just received, from
the United States Conunisaioncr to the American Consul at
Canton, which will show the state of affairs as regards tho
Americans. (Signed) 111. S.

AIMED STATES LEGATION.
U.B.S. Frigate San Jacinto., Whampon,
Nov. 6, 1866.
Bir,—Ris Excellent,: Telt, Imperial Commissioner and
Goventor-Oeneral, having faded to render the antisfection
dna end demanded for the recent insult to the United States
Bag by the Barrier Forts, Commodore lames Armstrong, rem-
wander-in-chief of the naval foreca of the United State, in
China, de., compelled by a sense of public duty, will not de-
slot from the measures whieh the policy of the Imperial
Commiesioner impooss upon him, till he opolo;iiiics for the
outrage on the flag, and guarantees for its proper respect in
future are obtained. You will therefore nottj to the citizens
of the United States at Canton accordingly.
Respectfully, tze.,
(Signed) PETER rAusx.R.
0. H. Ferry, Esq., U.B. Canard, Canton.

LLOLTION Or 711 E UNITED STATVA.
Moron, Dec. 9, 1856.
Sir —A despatch from Commodore James Armstrong, of
this day's date, informs rue that on the fith inst. the demoli-
tion of the Barrier Forts was completed, end the ships had
returned to the anchonge at Whampon, and in a kw days
the damage to the reel, would be repaired. Erre=m4
copies of his correspondence with the Imperial Can
he observes : " Here I presume it will end, and so long as be
(the Imperial COMMiPSIMICT) does not commit any act of
violence against our flag or citizens, we skald rest upon our
arms." His Excellency Yeb, in a despatch of the sth inst.,
writes Commodore Armstrong: " ktorn this I we your
Excellency Imo a clear knowledge of affairs; there is m mat-
ter of /strife between our respective nations. henceforth
the fashion of the deg which American ships
bade:tab;
clearly defined, and inform me what it in bc4ore
will be the verification of the friendly relations which exist
between the two countries."
I hare this day renamed corresponds:lwo with the Imperial
Commie:rune, demanding attention to serious important
eubjecte which I have amen to place in abeyance pending
the adjustment of the naval question; among them other
instance* in which the flag of the United States has been
fled on by the Chinese, and the rights of the United
States citizen., under treaty, have been brought to hie
Excellency.] notice, who has been informed that, failing to
render the satisfaction demanded for the violation of-the
treaty by the forte of Kiang-Shan, that molter will also be
banded over to the Commander-in-Chief of the United States
naval forces in China to manage.
This brief erpose of the present state of one relations to the
Chinese government at your port you are authorined to com-
municate for the information of the United States citizens
within your consular juriadiction.—Berpeetfully, Ice.,
(Signed) PETER PABZU.
0. H. Perry, Esq., U.S. Consul, Canton.
Return of Casualties received by the Navel Force employed
in the sperations of thin day. Dated Dse.. 4, 1856.
Killed—David Maki, private Royal Marine, Winchester
mortally wounded in the launch of her Majesty's ship Sybil*
by a rocket anew penetrating the right lung.
Wounded—Thomas Carr, A. 8., Winchester, contused
wound of cheat from npent hull, very nlightly.
Killed, 1; Wounded, I.
(Signed) CHAS. J. ANDF.RIION, M.D.
Staff-Surgeon in Medial Charge
of the Force dimenderked.
List of men who were murdered by the Chinese in the village
of Nan-pen, on the sth December, new the Maw Feet.
Charles Bennet, private, Royal Marine, Sybille, WWI
sod beheaded; Richard Whiter, A. 8., Comm, drowned.
(Signed) M. Sento_al.
Steer-Admiral and Commander-in

PROCLAWATION ST THE 1111TTIAll trinnitt.
The operations in which the British farces are at present
=haring been occaainned by the unfriendly acts dills
Government, end therefore intended mot to sleet the