The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-03-26 00:00:00

FURTHER OFFICIAL PAPERS,

There has just been published a parliamentary retntn
of further papers relating to the proceedings of her
Majesty's forces at Canton. In a despatch to the Ad-
miralty, dated December 29, Rear-Admiral Seymonr gi yrs
a detailed account of the destruction by fire, of the
factories at Canton ; and there is also a despatch on the
same subject from Sir John Bowring to Earl Clarendon.
In the latter document the following passage occurs :-
6' Her Majesty's government will, no doubt, take into
early consideration our present position in China. As
regards the Canton question, it appears to me that our
course must be decided by two priucipal considerations.
First, the obtaining iudemnity for injeries done,
and (always holding the imperial goirern then t respon-
sible) it is desirable that the burden of the sacrifice
should fall upon Canton itself. Secondly, the securing
for us a future position in Canton, by the appropriation of
a considerable addition to the factories, sufficient to furnish
our merchants with warehouses within the precincts, and
the whole secured from future attacks of robbers or
incendiaries. These two objects accomplished, we shall not
have to regret the perverseness on the part of the viceroy
which has brought about results so desirable. And their
bearing upon our future relations will be most important,
for I am quite per-uaded that an absolute triumph at
Canton will be the very hest initiative to successful negotia-
tions elsewhere ; and it appears to me that these negotia-
tions must be carried on elsewhere, for the 'Viceroy of
Canton is, of all men, the least fitted for negotiation, and
the locality of Canton would be, of all places in the empire,
the least desirable." The enclosures contain correspondence
between Consul Parkes, Sir J. Bowring, and Adm. Seymour,
relative to the events in progress, translations of Chinese pro-
clamations, reports of interviews with Chinese authorities,
&c. On the 3rd of January Sir John Bowring points out
to Admiral Seymour the desirability of an early confer.
ence between his excellency and the executive council of
Hong Ileng, on account of the inadequacy of the mili-
tary and police force stationed there for the protection of
the colony. "In about a month," says Admiral
Seymour to Sir lohn Bowring, in the despatch
of January 23. " I may begin to look for the
arrival of some of my expected steamers
and gunboats." Sir John Bowring expresses every con-
fidence in the admiral's prudence and foresight, and
agrees With him " in the paramount importance of secur-
ing a free passage Ilion Canton with a
view to future operations." The papers conclude
with a letter from Admiral Seymour to the
Admiralty, dated the 30th January, relating
to movements already known to the English public. The
despatch ends as follows: "From what I have stated in
this letter, and my previous communications, I trust
their lordships will see the necessity of sending
out a further number of light drafted steamers to those
already on their way, and that Her Majesty's government will
give directions for the speedy despatch of a sufficient body•of
troops to act against the city of Canton, the only mode of bring.
ing this business to a satisfactory conclusion, and placing Euro-
peans on a proper footing in this quarter. Although affairs at
present are perfectly tranquil at the northern ports, it is im-
possible to say how long they may continue so, and there can
be little doubt that on the result of the misunderstanding at
Canton will depend our future position in the Chinese empire
generally. I shall return to the Canton river soon after the
arrival of the royal mail steam packet, now overdue. The
squadron still continues healthy ; there is no change in the
disposition of the ships." The papers contain no despatches
from the government at home, and more than ono of the docu-
ments given is stated to be an " an extract."

EA letter from St. Petersburg, in the Nord of Brussels,
says :—" The Grand Duke Michael has arrived here.
The Government proposes to build for him a palace on
the banks of the Neva, on the spot where now stands
the Ministry of Crown domains. Count de Morny
decidedly remains the summer in St. Petersburg"
" It is announced," says the Pays, " that Count de
Persigny, the French ambassador at London, has obtained
from the English government the concession of Longwood,
the house occupied by Napoleon 1. at St. Helena, and of the
tomb in which his body was at first deposited. These places,
which are rendered sacred by glorious reminiscences, had
undergone painful transformations, His Majesty Napoleon
111. wished to put an end to that profanation, and thanks
to his pious and noble initiative, the spot rendered
illustrious by the exile of Napoleon I. is about to resume a
character worthy of the great souvenirs it brings to
mind."

A DISHONEST POSTMAN.-.-At the Bow street Police
court, a letter carrier of the name of Wright was charged
with neglecting or delaying to deliver letters entrusted to
his charge. lie had been employed in the Streatham
district, and had for some time been under suspicion in
consequence of the frequent delay and miscarriage of
letters on his beat. A few days ago, Jas. Denyer, servant
toga gentleman named Condy, gave him a half sovereign
aad an open letter, with instructions to get a postoffice
order, insert it in the letter, and post the same. This he
never did, and information to that effect having reached
the postoffice authorities, a letter was made up and posted
and addressed to Denyer. It passed in due course into
the hands of 'Wright, who, however, never delivered it.
Being apprehended on that charge he admitted it, and
ultimately led the officer to a field and produced that and
four other letters from under a tuft of grass where he had
buried them. Mr. Jardine committed the prisoner for
trial.