The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-24 00:00:00

battle, like that of the subsequent day, was fought
in a place called the " Wilderness." Both sides
claim the victory, General Lee on behalf of the
Confederates, and Mr. Stanton on behalf of the
Federals, for General Grant himself either sent no
despatch or it has been suppressed. As hitherto
General Lee has never been known either to exag-
gerate a victory or to claim one if he had not
' achieved it, and as the same cannot be said of Mr.
Stanton, the probability is that the advantage rested
with the Confederates. The fighting was renewed
on Friday at daybreak. The battle raged for 14
hours with scarcely an interval of rest, still in the
thickly wooded, stubbly, and thorny region stretch-
ing from Caancellorsville to Mine Run. The car-
nage is described to have been more awful than in
any previous battle of the war, and to have been
attended with a loss of 12,000 men to the Federals
and as many to the Confederates. General Lee, in
an address to his army which found its way to the
possession of General Butler, and was by him for-
warded to Mr. Stanton, claims the victory on this,
the second, eneounter, and thanks a merciful God
that every advance on Grant's part had been gal-
lantly and successfully repulsed. if Mr. Stan-
publish all authentic in-
ton, who has promised to
telligeuce immediately it reaches the hands of the
Administration, had, instead of garbling and quoting
from General Lee's proclamation, sent the whole
document to the press, he would have enabled the
public to judge far better than it can now of the
fighting. true results of Friday'sghting. It appears from
General Lee's admission that General Longstreet—
who is almost as much beloved and confided in by
the Southern army as General Stonewall Jackson
w used to be—was severely wounded, and Gen. Jen-
kins killed. On the Federal side Gen. Wadsworth,
formerly the military commandant at Washington,
and competitor with Mr. Horatio Seymour, in the
autumn of 1862, for the Governorship of the State
of New York, was shot in the forehead while lead-
ing his division, and instantaneously slain, and Gen.
Webb, son of the United States Minister in Brazil,
was seriously wounded. Mr. Stanton, who alone
makes any official statement of these and the previ-
ous battles, General Grant being either too busy to
write despatches or too cautious to become the his-
torian
ea nwe r lo
York,
tfhoar t tthh ea
ginformation
resulto
Varian of his unfinished work, reports to Major-
General
o thef
t h epbe Pt
tl lee oo
ff
Friday may be considered as a success to our arms,"
and adds that "the fighting was the most desperate
known in modern times." The Tribune correspon-
dent and other eyeswitnesses do not claim as much
success as Mr. Stanton, but state that the contest
was indecisive. On Saturday morning there was
slight skirmishing, but no general engagement;
both sides, doubtless, discovered that such a tangled
wild wood as that in which they had been murder-
ing each other from behind the shelter of trees and
bushes for the previous two days was not adapted
to victory, or to anything else but unavailing
slaughter. At noon on that day it was discovered
that the Confederates had retired, and Mr. Stanton
publishes, on the authority of a bearer of despatches
from Meade's army, that the retrograde movement
commenced on the midnight of Friday. It was no
sooner known to the Federals than a pursuit was
ordered. Lee fell back towards the strong lines of
the North Anna, and was followed—it does not ap-
pear how closely—by the division uncer General
Hancock, no doubt glad to halloo when out of
such a wood as " the "Wilderness." What has
since happened is unknown or undivulged ; but, as
Lee retired in good order, unmolested, and at his
leisure, towards his own earth works and his chosen
position on the North Anna, it is more than pre-
sumptions in the Federal Government to cry " Vic-
tory," to think that its work is done, that the Con-
federate General is really defeated, or that he is
even reduced to the extremity of taking refuge in
Richmond without fighting one, or, it may be, a
dozen battles on the intervening ground. Mr. Lin-
cola, carried away by the excitement of Washing-
ton, and thankful, perhaps, that Washington has
not been taken as an equivalent for Richmond—a
turn of the wheel of fortune—which was certainly
possible, and not many days ego looked highly
probable, has issued a proclamation to the " friends
of Union and of Liberty, in view of the
great victory" which he cannot allege to have
been secured, He states that enough is known of
what has been done to claim the special gratitude
of the people to Almighty God, and enough
remains undone to demand their most serious
prayers to and reliance upon Him, without whom
all human effort is vain ; and therefore recommends
all patriots at their homes, their places of public
worship, and wherever they may be, to unite in
common thanksgiving and prayer. Yesterday,
Monday morning, a despatch from General Grant
—the first received—was partially communicat2d to
the public by Mr. Stanton, before he had time to
decipher the whole of it. Whether there was more
in it than Mr. Stanton chose to divulge is not
known ; but all that he has as yet permitted to
appear is that the General is " On to Richmond,"
and that he has taken 2,000 prisoners. A later
report, brought by a messenger from Acquia Creek,
states that a battle occurred on Monday
at Spot-
sylvania Court-house with the rear of Lea's army'
in which there was great slaughter on both sides.
He also reports that the streets of Fredericksburg
were encumbered with the Federal wounded to
the estimated number of 15,000, and that they
lay on the public way for want of other accommo-
dation. Here, for the present, all intelligence,
authentic or unauthentic, ceases of the fate or plans
of the main army ; while an intimation—more. or
less official—from Washington warns the too im-
patient people that it may be a week before they
receive any further information. Wby each an
announcement should be made, unless there is bad
news, of which it is desired to break the ill-effect by
dexterous manipulation in Mr. Stanton's office, sur-
passes comprehension. At all events, an
vourable interpretation has been put upon it—that
if the announcement be unofficial, it will be disa-
vowed. unfa
If the members of the Government have
good news they will not conceal the glory of it
under a bushel, but will flare its light in the face of
the public as vigorously as they can and at as early
a moment as the electric telegraph and the printing
press will permit.
General Butler has gained his first laurels Es
a warrior by the occupation of a strong position ten
miles in the rear of Richmond and by his destruction
of a portion of the railroad communications between
that city and Petersburg. He was, however, nearly
captured by a sudden dash made upon him by a di-
vision sent out from Petersburg on Saturday last by
General Beauregard for that especial purpose, and
may eangratulate himself on an escape which, in his
inflicted upon
case, was not from captivity alone, but from the
mode of death which by his orders was
the unhappy man Mumford at New Orleans. But-
ler acts under the orders of General -W.F. (or Baldy)
Smith, and seems to be in a position of consider-
able danger, although his friends and admirers in
this city do not cease to assert that for him is re-
served the honour of capturing Richmond, and of
afterwards governing it with a rod of iron or of
scorpions, such as he loves to wield over the heads
and backs of the defenceless. General Beauregard
be able to give an account o him that abe much
however, has his eye upon him.; and may hereafter
ceive than for the Northern to be informed of. In
mere acceptable for the Southern Pt etude nt to re-
people more of Generals Pope and Hooker than of
a despatch to the Secretary of War, which reminds
Grant and M'Clellan, he states that he is safely in-
trenched at Bermuda,
supples he can hold out
landing on the James River,
and that with proper i
against the whole of Lee's army. He adds that
Lient.-General Grant will not be troubled with any
further reinforcements from Gen. Beauregard to
Gen. Lee. In this, however, he protests too much,
and sets an example of boasting as well as of pro-
phesy which a good soldier ought to avoid.
General Sherman movements in the West are
unintelligible as reported by the telegraphic opera-
tors. It is clear, however, that his army is on the
move, and that events in that region will be as im-
portant before many days elapse as those in Via.

ginia.
The excitement produced by the war news has
almost wholly put an end to business. Nobody
either buys or sells gold or any other merchandise,
And gold, perhaps for that reason, and not certainly
from any faith entertained iu Wall...street or 'Wil-
liam-street that Grant has gained a victory, has
fallen since last night from 681 to 671 per cent.

;ultural Society

Royal Agric

of England,
The general meeting of the members of the Royal
Agricultural Society of England, was held yester-
day, at the Club-house, 12, Hanover-square; Lord
Feversham, president, in the chair. There were
also present Lord Portman, Lord Walsingham,
Earl Cathcart, Lord Chesham, Sir Henry Vavasour,
Messrs. T. Sutton Western, M.P., S. Dent, M.P.,
Dr. Voelcker, W. H. Pole Carew, Professor Wilson,
Fisher Hobbs, Corbett, &c.
Mr. H. BARE read the following :—" The council
have the gratification of announcing that since the
last general meeting in December his Royal High-
ness the Prince of Wales has allowed his name to be
enrolled in the list of your governors. During the
past five months the names of five governors and
136 members have been removed from the list by
death and retirement, while one governor and 232
members have been elected, so that the society now
consists of 78 life governors, 45 annual governors,
1,343 life members, 4,013 annual members, and 17
honorary members, making a total of 5,496, being
an increase of 53 names. The council have elected
Major-General the Hon. Alexander Nelson Hood
as a vice-president, in the room of Lord Ashburton,
deceased. The half-yearly statement of accounts to
the 31st of December, 1863, has been examined and
approved by the auditors and accountants of the so-
ciety, and together with the balance-sheet for the
whole year, 1863, and a statement of the country
meeting account for Worcester, has been published
in the last number of the journal. The funded ca-
pital stands at £16,480 17s. 10d. in the New Three
per Cents., £3,000 has been placed on deposit at
interest with the society's bankers, and the current
cash balance in their hands on the:lst inst. was
£2,836 6s. 6d. Papers have been read at the
weekly meetings by Mr. Lewes, on Salt used as a
Manure ;' by Mr. Hughes, on The Cultivation
and Management of Clay Farms;' by Mr.
Holland, M.P., on Agricultural Education ;'
and by Professor Voelcker, on Nutrition
of Plants by the Atmosphere.' A committee
has been appointed to consider the measures which
ought to be taken for the improvement of the
education of those who depend upon the cultivation
of the soil for their support, this being declared by
the charter as the seventh national object to be pro-
secuted by the society. The Lords Commissioners
of Her Majesty's Treasury having applied to the
society for assistance in carrying out their design
of presenting some sheep to the Viceroy of Egypt,
who is anxious to improve his native breeds by
classing, a selection was made under the direction
of the President; and a communication has been
received of the safe arrival of the sheep at Cair .
A special committee having been appointed to co .
sider the question of the dates of calving, the coun-
cil have appraved their recommendation that any
alteration in the date of calving would be incon-
venient and thus unadvisable. The arrangements
far the Newcastle meeting, to be held during the
week commencing Monday, the 18th of July, are
proceeding satisfactorily. The showyard will be
open as under i —Monday, 10a. ; Tuesday, 2s. 6d. ;
Wednesday, 2s. 6d. ; Thursday, is. ; Friday, is.
The council have determined that the annual coun-
try meeting in 1865 shall be held at Plymouth. The
district for the country meeting of 1866 will include
the counties of Cambridgshire,Eesex, Hertfordshire,
Huntingdonshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
The report having been adopted,
Lord PORTMAN, in proposing Sir Edward Kerri-
son , ALP., as the President of the society for the
ensuing year, observed that members of the Upper
House of the Legislature had generally filled that
office, but looking at the admirable manner in which
the present Speeker of the House of Commons had
presided over them, it was a good omen that an-
other gentleman from that House, and one so well
known, should be called upon to fill the office..
Mr FISHER HOBBS seconded the nomination,
which was carried uauimously.
The trustees, vice-presidents, and council having
been duly elected.
The noble CHAIRMAN said the council would be
very glad to hear any suggestions from the members.
Mr DENT, M.P., took leave to point out that an
increase in the number of judges would be advisable
at the forthcoming show, especially in the classes of
Lincoln and Scotch sheep.
Mr FISHER HOBBS observed that the council bad
only a very limited number of names before them,
and it certainly would be very advantageous that
the number of judges should be increased. Perhaps
gentlemen would be kind enough to send in the
names of thoee who wnee qualified, and who would
serve, the first of June being the time at which the
lists would have have to be made up.
Mr BEAL I3nowNE thanked the council for the
regulations which they had introduced as to sheep
being shorn before being shown, so that now the
judges could really see the quality of the sheep, and
the best would obtain the prize.,
A vote of thanks having been proposed to Lord
Feversham for his able presidency during the year,
the noble lord, in acknowledging the compliment,'
remarked that the council had not been unmind-
ful of the observations that fell from some of the
members at the half-yearly meeting in December
last. The strictures that bad been passed upon the
conduct of the journal of the society and the ob-
jections made had lilt been supported by any one
except the gentleman (Mr. Sidney) who cavilled
at it; and with reference to his opinion that the
society should spend their funded capital in erect-
ing a larger building than their present house, and
form a library of reference, a laboratory, a museum,
and other works, the council had not thought it
advisable to entertain the q,,Ais:stion, which would
involve not only the expenditure of :11 their calm-
:al, but in all probability a much larger au v."
with-
out the prospect of any corresponding benefit. The
remark made by Mr. Duckett, that the society had
failed to carry into effect the seventh article of the
charter, which bound them " to take measures for
the improvement of the education of those who
depend upon the cultivation of the soil for their
support," had been seriously considered by the
council, and a committee had been appointed upon
the subject, but their report had not yet been pre-
pared. His lordship hoped that the society would
continue to progress in sound practical enlighten-
ment of the agricultural interest of the country,
the principle of its organisation, and the practice
of science.

The meeting then terminated.

SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TimEs.—Our recent anticipations of an important
campaign in Virginia have been confirmed by a suc-
cession of the most obstinate and sanguinary battles
which have signalised even this age of war. From
the 6,11 to the 10th of the present month two great
armies were incessantly engaged in conflicts so
fierce as to surpass in carnage all former enemata
ters on the same ground, and yet so indecisive as
to render it difficult to any at the present moment
to which side the balance of success inclines. In
the night of Tuesday, the 3d of May, General
Grant, the CommandeninsChief of the Federal
armies commenced his long-expected march upon
Richmond by the passage of the river Rapidan.
This operation he was allowed to accomplish with-
out interruption. General Lee, at the head of the
chief army of the Confederates, retired slowly before
him, and took up a position a little further south.
On the sth occurred some fighting, which in any
other campaign would be described as a desperate
combat, but which here shrinks into insignificance
by the side of the conflicts which followed. It was
not until the morning of Friday, the 6th, that Lee
accepted the battle to which Grant was pressing
him. Then the Federal Commander advanced and
fell upon the entire front of the Confederate line
with an onslaught as straight, as impetuous as that
of Tilly on the Swedes at Leipsic. Like Tilly,
however, he was repulsed with dreadful loss, nor
could he by repeated assaults succeed in changing
the fortunes of the day. So manifest, indeed, had
been his failure that in the afternoon Lee discerned
the opportunity of assuming the aggressive himself,
and advanced in his turn upon tho Federais, but
without any material success till night was closing
in, when hs turned the right of Grant's army and
drove it back upon the centre with a loss of nearly
7,000 men. 'That the advantage at this time
rested rather with the Confederates than the
Federals is not denied, but, nevertheless, on the
night of the 6th Leo retired once more, and took
up a new position at Spottsylvania Court-house.
To this point Grant lost not an hour in following
him, and, after some sharp skirmishing on Satur.'
day, he again assailed the Confederates with unmi-
tigated fiery on Sunday morning. All through that
Sabbath-day, all through Monday, and apparently

all through Tuesday, the battle raged with little in-
termission but what the darkness of night and phy-
sical exhaustion imposed upon the combatants.
Still, however, there was uo decisive results. When
the last despatches left the field Lee retained his
position, and was said to have been reinforced,
while the aggregate losses of the Federals up to the
evening of Tuesday were reckoned, in killed,
wounded, and missing, 40,000 men. At this cri-
tical point we are left to Wait in suspense for fresh
intelligence. Never did American mails bring in-
formation more important than may been looked for
by the next arrival. Will Grant still advance, and
drive Lee within the lines of Richmond, or will he
fall back exhausted with his Efforts, and admit the
enterprise to be as impracticable to himself as it has
proved to others before him? It is hard to discern
any inclination of the balance, so evenly on the
scales appear to be weighed. On the side of the
North it must be owned that the expectations enter-
tained of Grant's prowess have received more confir-
mation than has usually attended the sanguine cal-
culations of the Federals. If he has not achieved ab-
solute success, he has bid for it more desperately
and approached it more nearly than any of his pre-
decessors in command. He has fully justified his
reputation for dogged and unconquerable tena-
city. After once breaking up from his camp he has
marched straight on incessantly closing with his
adversary, always offering battle, never clining it,
undismayed by losses, undeterred by the most im-
minent danger. For the first time in the history of
this war, a great battle has been followed by an im-
mediate pursuit, bringing on another battle equally
obstinate and bloody. Grant, though slightly
worsted in the actions of the 6th, refused to quit hie
hold upon the enemy, or to plead any of the obvious
excuses for suspending the operations of the cam-
paign. It was this stubborness of purpose which
gained him his success at Vicksburg and his favour
with the Northern people. They never thought him
a military genius, but they believed him to be a
most determined man--a man who would bring
everything to the immediate issue of hard fighting,
and who might either beat or be beaten, but who
would never be hesitating or inactive. This estimate
of his character he has fully justified. He has
fought unceasingly, and has clung like a bulldog to
his work. Nor can it be added that he has fought
altogether in vain, for he has advanced as he pro-
posed to advance, and is actually a few miles further
on the road to Richmond. On the other hand, it
now appears beyond all doubt that the successive
retirements of the Confederate commander were but
so many judicious and preconcerted operations of
the campaign. He fell back from the Rapidan with-
out troubling himself to strike a blow. He fell back
again from his second position at Wilderness,
though he is admitted to have had the best of the
encounter ; and the impregnability of his third
position, at Spottsylvania, has fully justified his
decision. In none of these movements was there the
slightest confusion or other evidence of inferiority.
The game could be better played at one point than
another, and the advantage was not allowed to
escape, The whole road to Richmond, be it re-
membered, is a series of positions which have long
been studied and strengthened by the Confederates,
terminating in a capital fortified by all the defences
which modern art could devise through a period of
three years. Lee, if he falls back, is cnly falling
back from one strong post to another, till he findsli
himself in the strongest post of all. Grant, if he
falls back ever so little, gives up the game, while it
he persists in advancing he discovers harder work
than ever before him at the end of each day's march,
and separates himself from his supplies in the same
proportion. Already, we are told, he has found his
communications intercepted by the Confederate
cavalry, and been compelled to change the base of
his supplies; and it is intimated, indeed, that the
action of the 10th was not sought by him, and that
he had intended to postpone it for a few hours until
his supplies had come up. We have purposely de-
clined to complicate our survey of these important
operations by the reports of any subsidiary pro-
ceedings, but the reader will probably remember
that this famous expedition against Richmond was
to consist of advances from several directions all
combined in one plan. Such combinations usually
require for their success the co-operation of veteran
troops and skilful Generals under the direction of a
master mind, and these conditions can hardly be
thought to exist in the case before us. Part of the
scheme, indeed, was frustrated by the recent vic-
tories of the Confederates in North Carolina, and it
seems now as if the only important diversion would
be attempted by the advance of General Butler upon
Richmond along the line of the James River. But-
ler, who has always threatened that he—the out-
lawed of the Confederacy—would be the first to
enter their capital, is, if he has advanced to City
Point, nearer Richmond than Grant; but there is
many a bad mile between him and the city ; he is
closely observed by General Beauregerd, and the
latest advices state that apprehensions were enter-
tained fur his safety. As to more remote points,
the Confederates were retaining and improving
their advantages in Mississippi, were holding their
own in Tennessee, and had been successful in some
naval encounters both in the James River and
Albemarle Sound. Finally, in concluding our sur-
vey, we must remark that the intelligence on which
we have based our speculations reaches us mainly
through Federal sources, and is, perhaps, coloured
somewhat favourably for the North. That com-
pletes the case for the judgment or divination of
the public. It seems to perplex the minds of people
in America. Ti'e proclamatior:s of President Lin-
coln and the bulletins of Secretary Stanton speak of
Federal successes, but iu terms so moderate and
language so qualified as to express anything ruttier
than confidence ; while the premium on gold, which
was 73 when Grant began his march, and which
fell to 69 at one period, had risen to 77 at the latest
news, and was 75 at the departure of the mail.
Undoubtedly Grant is in a more difficult situation
than Lee, for if he falls beck, which, if he cannot
dislodge his adversary, he must do, it will be under
disadvantage, and if ne advances either by force or
upon the retirement of the Confederates, it will be
under disadvantage still. But he is invincibly
obstinate, he has uncontrolled command, he has
exacted the unreserved support of the Government,
and he has seen the Southern General retire before
him. He will, perhaps, renew h;s attack upon Lee,
but if he ever reaches Richmond with an effective
army he will have achieved a miracle of military
success.

HERALD.—There is nothing like a practical an.
swer. Lord Palmerston formally condemned general
theories on Friday night in the debate on our rela-
tions with China. He had ready one of those matter,
of-fact rejoinders which dumbfound ordinary people
"We must defend our treaty rights. We must pro
t our commerce." Of course we must. But Mr
Lee- - merchant trading with China, and, it is
Baxter, a • - general body in the same interest,
understood, tau _ ilovernment is going the very
are of opinion that e. -asperity of our Chinese
worst way to secure the la.
tee
of at
natir the
ht the despatches
trade. And as to the treaty rig_ Tieisthat
has
eml..
of Sir Frederick Bruce, our own x..
Court of Pekin, are sufficient to dispoa. -
question. This competent authority
tally condemned the policy Lord Palmerston is pu.. "
suing in regard to China. The witnesses we have
cited cannot be considered unfriendly to the Cabinet.
If rumour speaks correctly the hon. member for
Montrose was offered a subordinate, but not unim-
portant, position in the Ministry on the retirement
of Mr Stansfeld. And as to our ambassador to the
Celestial Emperor, official duty and diplomatic skill
both prompt to acquiescence and approval where
the conduct of the Government is not flagrantly
inconsistent and unpatriotic. The question arises,
why should we interfere at all ? This may be a
general objection, but it is one capable of local
application. The Imperial power of China is not
only barbarous ; it is notoriously cruel. The dynasty
is at the last stage of decline. No foreign aid, can
sustain it much longer. Even the most despotic
rule, to last, must have the heart of the people, and
it is wellknown that the Government of Prince Kung
is most unpopular. In fact the Taeping rebellion is
the general uprising of the people—not well con-
ducted indeed, and in this akin to most revolutions,
but at the same time founded on a universal detes-
tation of the reigning authority, and, moreover, con-
firmed by a very remarkable career of success. The
set policy of this country is neutrality. We have
maintained the doctrine of non-intervention in an
astounding manner in regard to the belligerent
states of America and in the Dano-German war.
We adhered to it in the Polish outbreak, and it
was our boast during the revolutionary changes in
Italy. It is true much of this impartial dealing was
only a hollow pretence: We were never strictly
neutral, and, perhaps, it may be difficult for any
Government, in the face of the leanings of the
people, to be stoically indifferent to great public
questions. But our Cabinet, or rather our foreign
Minister, in opposition to the popular will and in-
clination in England, has sided with the Federal
Americans against the Confederates, and has, by his
weak confidence and wavering policy, effectually
aided the cause of Prussia and Austria against Den-,
mark, However, it suits Lord Palmerston now to
declare that occasions may arise when neutrality
would be folly or cowardice, or both. We inter-
fered. with Portugal, with Spain, with Turkey,
Syria, and Egypt ; and another great occasion hav-
ing arisen for the interposition of the Deus ex
machinai we have interfered in China also. Of
course, the gravest reasons for this exceptional
intervention must have occurred. The Premier
sums up his lofty argument under two seductive
heads—our treaty rights and our commerce oth er.e. We
are bound to defend the one and prtect
But the British aegis must be used with moderation
in both. A radius of thirty miles has been drawn
outside the treaty ports; beyond this line of
, demarcation the civic strife may rage with the most

unmitigated barbarity. Our quiet English policy
is not to interfere. Such is the letter of diplomatic
instruction and agreement. But what has been the.
actual practice ? For the last eighteen months Os.
two years we have steadily co-operated with
the cruel and corrupt Mantchou Tartars..
We violated the principle of neutrality in the
attack on Ningpo. The whole series of our-
operations of late in China exhibits an utter dia.•
regard of the doctrine of noneintervention. It
may be said we are at open and constant war with
the Taepings. The expedition of Capt. Osborn was
a clear admission of this, although Sir F. Bruce
expressly objected to the employment of British
officers in the Imperialist service. This despatch,
which was written in June, 1863, about a twelve-
month ago, Mr. Baxter states, was suppressed by
the Foreign Office, in order not to convict Ministers
by the mouths of their own officers. We all know
the fate of Capt. Sherard Osborn's enterprise. The
nroferred aid was ignominiously rejected—and re-
jected, too, on just and reasonable grounds. One
wonld imagine there was some commercial charm
in Chinese affairs, which attracted our Government
to lend its countenance end active suppert to a.
dynasty tottering to its fall. England will go green,
lengths to advance her trade, and this is the supreme'
argument urged in defence of our present Chinese
policy. Now, in order to consider the bearing of
this view of the question, let us take the condition
of Soochow, the silk district. While the Teepinga
held possession the exports ranged from 60,000
bales to 83,000 bales per annum, but since we have
taken possession these exports have fallen to within.
40,000 bales. And this is not a solitary instance,
but generally exemplifies the influence and results of
our intermeddling in the internal affairs of the coun-
try against the advice of Sir F. Bruce and of other
European Ministers in China, and against the ex-
press wish of those most interested in the prosperity
of our commerce, viz., the merchants engaged in
that special branch of trade. When the progress of
our mercantile enterprise in those distant regions
is spoken of it is as well to entertain definite
ideas on the subject. Now, the great pros
ducing districts of China had been in the hands
of the Taepings, and to them we were mainly
indebted, and not to the policy of her Majesty's
Goveanment, for any commercial successes open
to the energy and bold speculation of our great
capitalists and merchants. We have done our
utmost to destroy the Taepings, and to restore the
sway of the Mantchou dynasty throughout the
whole empire. For this not only our treasure
but our blood has been poured out freely, and this
at a time when the doctrine of neutrality is upheld
where common humanity and British honour would
seem to demand intervention. But we are toad that
the power of the rebels is waning and their reign
drawing to a close. Nothing can bs farther from
the truth. The successes of the Taepings have been
very great of late, and the opinion of persons on the
spot is that Gordon himself is in danger of being cut
off from the main force. The policy, then, of our
Goveinment is not only calculated to impair our
commerce but to endanger the very treaty rights
for which it has been adopted. Our ' policy is op-
posed to the express counsel of our own ambt.ssador,
to the opinions of our naval and military co mman-
ders, and to the interests and the judgment of our
merchants who trade with China. Can af,V eon'
clemnation, we ask, be stronger than this ? But
there is something more than what may be called a
material censure. There is a moral stain attiiched
to onr alliance with the Court of Pekin. The cruel-
ties and butcheries perpetrated by perfidious bar-
barians may well be laid at the door of civilised na-
tions in connection with them. It may be, too, Chat
we are doing our utmost to tread out some nen! )nt
sparks of Christianity appearing in that dret sy
region. The Taepinge profess a wild incoher' ?nt
creed, but in many points it must be superior to the
atheism and immoral Buddhism prevalent amp ng
the millions in China. If Sir James Graham Was
rsght in warning the House of Commons against
beginning a war with one-third of the human race,
that must be a shallow policy which would attrm pt
to grapple with the religious opinions most
Ito sway throughout the vast empire. Fur so sure
as the Taepings succeed their strange theology will
mould itself into a form and become the general re-
ligion of China. These are questions which it may
be very well to speculate upon ; but to meddle • with
them actively, or to take either side in the i ater-
neeine struggle now going on between the laepen
rialists and Taepings, can reflect no honour on. the
wisdom or the humanity of any civilised nation.