Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-31 00:00:00

CHINA.

HONG KONG, RUT 10.
Lord Elgin and suite arrived in her Majesty's
steamer Shannon, Captain William Peel, on tha
2nd inst. His lordship landed officially on the
6th instant, and on the following day held a levee,
when an address, signed by the community, was
presented to him. As far as his lordship has ex-
pressed himself as to the policy that is to guide
his nets in relation with this country, it is satis-
factory to know that his lordship concurs in the
opinion expressed by the community here—
" That no settlEment of our present difficulties will be
satisfactory which shall fail to teach the Cantonese a
wholesome respect for the obligation of their own govern-
ment in its relations with independent Powers, and for the
laws of hospitality toward strangers who resort to their
shores for imposes of trade.

The Shannon, with his lordship, proceeds north
immediately, but the object of his visit is not

declared. Her Majesty's ship Calcutta, with
Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, her Majesty's
steamers Pearl and Hornet, and small steamer
Coromandel, also form part of tha expedition.

The accounts from India rendered it advisable to
order the Simoom, with the sth Regiment on board,
to proceed from Singapore to Calcutta. It ap-
parently is not contemplated to proceed with any
operations against Canton before October.
Late accounts from the Canton river, report
nothing of importance. The boats of her Majesty's
steamer Esk took a pirate junk in one of the creeks,
but we regret to say not without some casualties to
Our men.

The gunboat Haughty has arrived from the river
having on board eight wounded men of H.M.S.
Esk, the boats of which vessel had had an engage-
ment with pirates in one of the creeks in the imme-
diate vicinity of Second Bar. Two of our poor
fellows were killed, and three mortally and five
severely wounded. One pirate junk only was
taken. From Amoy we hear that fears of local
disturbances hail died away, and that business was
consequently on the increase. From Ningpo we
learn that the quarrel betwixt the Cantorlese
and Portuguese has at length reached a climax, and
that a severe struggle has taken place, in which
the latter were defeated. On the 25th June a large
fleet of Canton east-coast junks from Fuhchau
made their appearance in the river, and took pos-
session of all the Portuguese lorchas in port
without much resistance, the crews escaping on
shore. The Cantonese, led on by some foreigners
closely followed, and after some fighting totally
routed the Portuguese, but not until about twenty
had been killed.

LOSS OF THE TEANSIT,

SINGAPORE, JULY 19.

On the 13th instant, ihl.s Netheriaads Majesty's war
steamer Montrade arrived here from Minto, having on
board Lieutenant Downes, belonging to her Majesty's
steam-transport Transit, and bringing accounts of the total
loss of the latter vessel in the straits of Rance, by striking
upon a rock or coral reef, distant four miles from the
shore, at nine o'clock in the morning, and went down in
less than two hours. The head of the vessel rests on the
rock, just above the water, but at the stern there are 11
fathoms, and on' one side of the vessel so much as 17
fathoms. The troops on board and crew were
saved, as also part of the military armament.
On reaching the shore tents were placed for the
accommodation of the people, who succeeded in reaching
the Island of Bauca in the ship's boats. Lieutenant
Downes was despatched to Minto for assistance, and
the Dutch resident at once despatched that officer in a
war steamer to Singapore. Oa arrival of the news here
the senior naval officer (Captain Barnard, of her Ma•
jesty's ship Racehorse) immediately despatched her
Majesty's ship Aelman and the steam gun-boat Dove,
and also chartered the American clipper ship Beaver, to
bring up the troops and crew. Oa the 16th the Governor
of Singapore sent the Hon. Company's steamer Hooghly
to afford aid, and the S:r James Bsooke steamer, be-
longing to the Borneo Company, was chartered for the
same destination.
The Transit has been one of the most unfortunate ves-
sels in the service. On her recent voyage she sailed upon
her anchor, and all but foundered before leaving England,
then put into Corunna, and has finally wrecked h ,rs elf
when within 100 miles of Singapore.