The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-31 00:00:00

CHINA.

Tile following is a letter of our correspondent,
dated Hong Kong, April 15 :
" The London mails of the 25th of January and
the 9th of February arrived per steamer Norna on
the 2d inst.

" From Shanghai we have dates to the 9th inst.,
received per steamer Lady Mary Wood on the
13th. All was quiet there, and, the troops having
been withdrawn towards Naukin, the country
around was resuming its • former tranquillity, and
the city was being fast rebuilt. In the interior,
however, matters had assumed an unfavourable
change. The Nankin rebels had commenced the
season's operations by an inroad into the green tea
districts, and the capital, Kwei-chow-foo, had
fallen into their hands. Fears are entertained
that, elated with this success, they may continue
their course to Hang-Chow-foo, the possession of
which would enable them to stop the export trade
to Shanghai.
"At Canton political affairs remain much as
before. Since the defeat sustained by the rebels
at Whampoa, a considerable portion of them have
congregated at Kow-kong, a place of some consi-
deration near the mouth of the river, and against
these the Mandarins are preparing an expedition.
Others have spread themselves about the coast,
committing all kinds of depredations, and even
attacking foreign flags.
" In consequence of this an expedition consist-
ing of her Majesty's steamer Hornet and the brig
Bittern, accompanied by the boats from her Ma-
jesty's ships Winchester, Sybille, and Spartan, was
sent against them, and succeeded in doing con-
siderable execution. About 20 junks were taken
or destroyed, few of their crews escaping. The
most inveterate hostility was shown towards them
by the people on shore, who killed all who fell into
their hands.

" The river traffic is clear to Canton, but Chinese
craft dare .not venture outside. The west coast
trade is stopped, as the junks, even when in large
nurnters, cannot cope with the heavily-armed
pirate boats. Exorbitant prices are paid for tow-
ing by steamers and foreign convoy.
- -

Transit from Canton to the interior remains
much as before, bands of lawless characters in-
festing the country.
"Another enemy has now to be contended with
by the people of Canton in the shape of famine. In
the rural districts rice is by no means plentiful,
and the population, fearing for their own neces-
sities, have prohibited its exportation. The popu-
lation of the city and suburbs have, therefore, to
depend on imports from the coast, Manilla, and other
places. The supply has been most inadequate to
the demand, and prices have risen to an unprece-
dented height, common cargo rice being retailed
in the city at $6 per pecul. Very great dis-
tress is felt by the poorer classes, and food riots are
apprehended.
" The Mandarins are doing all in their power to
alleviate the privation and encourage the import of
rice, which will, no doubt, be brought in consider-
able quantities from the east coast and Formosa,
provided no prohibition is placed on its export,
which is more than likely.
"11(r Majesty's ship Comus is anchored off the
Factor es, also the United States' guardship J. P.
Kennedy. The Tandalia is at Whampoa.
" The business in imports and exports at Canton
has been very limited. Freights nominal at 5/. ss.
" Many of the foreign firms are establishing
branches in Hong Kong, which benefits much byb
the influx of trade and population.
" At Shanghai the import trade had been con-
siderable, principally in barter. Tea had been
bought freely at an advance on most kinds, and
large arrivals and sales of silk had taken place.
" From Foo-chow and Amoy there is nothing of
moment to report.
"Another tea-laden vessel has been lost on the
Pratas Shoal, the Countess of Seafield, Captain
Innes, which left Shanghai for London on the 17th
of March, and struck on the 21st. The captain and
part of the crew arrived here on the 7th inst.,
having been picked up outside by the American
ship Challenge. The remainder of the crew are on
the. shoal, and a steamer has been sent down to
them.

"His Excellency Sir John Bowring is daily ex-
pected from Siam in her Majesty's steamer Rattler,
and we believe proceeds to Japan with his Excel-
lency Sir James Stirling, who is still here, in her
Majesty's ship Winchester, The rest of the fleet
have left, and it is understood that they are to
rendezvous at Japan, and afterwards proceed
against the Russian settlements in the north.
"The fleet will be a large one, probably compris-
ing the Winchester, Sybille, and Spartan frigates,
Encounter, Barracouta, Styx, Rattler, and Hornet
steamers, and the Saracen surveying-schooner.
"The French Admiral will probably join from
Shanghai. His Imperial French Majesty's frigate
Sybille is still here, and the health of the crew is
improved.
"It is hoped that the Encounter and Barracouta,
which left Shanghai on th 3 21st of March, with
sealed orders, have gone to Japan to watch the
crew of the Russian frigate Diana, and prevent
their escape to the north. A French corvette has
been sent from Shanghai for this purpose.
" Captain Adams, of the United States' Navy,
proceeds home by this mail with the ratified treaty
between the United States and Japan.
" We regret having to report the death of Com-
mander Woolcombe, of her Majesty's steamer Styx.
Lieutenant Bruce, who is in temporary command,
we believe gets the vacancy.
" Our latest dates are—from England, 9th of
February ; Calcutta, 25th of February ; Bombay,
sth of March; Singapore, 2Gth of March;
12th of March; Sydney,l6thofJanuary; Shanghai,
9th of April.
"Exchange—At Canton, 4s. 10d. on England ;
at Shanghai, Gs. 3d. ; at Canton, 232 r. on India ;
at Shanghai, 300 r."