The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-29 00:00:00

CHINA.

The following is from the North China Herald, dated
Shanghai, Feb. 4 :—lt had become highly necessary, in
consequence of the notification recently issued by the
United States consul, that steps should be speedily
taken for the security of equal rights and privileges
accruing to British subjects in regard to the payment of
duties to the Imperial Government of China.
Her Britannic Majesty's consul no doubt was anxious
to do so, but very consistently, we think, awaited a
reply to the communication made to the home Govern-
ment by his Excellency the Superintendent of Trade on
the subject in question. The last mail has very oppor-
tunely brought a reply to Sir George Bonham. Our
issue of to-day contains a letter from her Britannic
Majesty's Consul Alcock, to those merchants who had
been in correspondence with his excellency about the
duty question, together with
an "extract from a dis-
patch of her Britannic Majesty's Principal Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs," approving of the course
adopted by Sir George Bonham in the present difficult
crisis of foreign trade in China.
The letter her Majesty's consul has, since receiving the
dispatch, addressed to the ex-Taoutae, is calculated to
bring matters to a point. Circumstanced as foreign
merchants are in this port between two fires, much
puzzled how to shape their course within a strict d neutra-
lity so as, at the same time, they do not neglect neces-
sary measures for self-defence—it is obvious to common
sense that, either merchants of all nations should be
called on to pay duties, or the duty question must be put
in abeyance until the Imperial Government is again
enabled to re-establish matters on such a footing as to
entitle it to levy customs. This is only agreeable to
Article VIII. of the British and Chinese Supplementary
Treaty, as well as Article 11. of the American and
Chinese Treaty, as brought forward by the United
States American vice consul in his notification to Ame-
rican merchants of the 20th ultimo, and published in
our last issue.

It will be a difficult matter for his Excellency Woo-
keen-chang to ans wer the requisitions now placed before
him so as reasonably to satisfy the British authorities
that merchants of all nations are placed on a basis of
equality in regard to the payment of the Imperial cus-
toms. The United States commissioner has already de-
cided the question, we consider, by ordering the above-
etated notification to be issued to American merchants,
and he is justified in the course he has pursued by the
negligence of the Chinese authorities in regard to the
Austrian barque Robert being allowed to enter, load,
and depart, without claiming any payment of customs
from her, in October last. It may be said, indeed, that
such an incident would be a hard case against the Impe-
rial Government. Nevertheless, it is just what has led
to the small end of the wedge being inserted between the
acknowledgment of and refusal of liability on the part of
all foreigners to pay customs to the present Government,
whose authorities have, in the instance referred to, exhi-
bited either gross negligence or an utter inability to exert
proper influence at the port to secure the Imperial re-
venue.

Since our last issue for the mail of the 27th, which
we despatched on the 20th, per Lady Mary Wood, no
intelligence has reached us of any advance of the in-
surgents' army towards Pekin. The batch of Gazettes
received since then up to Dec. 22, still speak of the
insurgents being at Tuh-lew, where probably they con-
sider it most prudent to pass the winter, either awaiting
reinforcements, or not particularly relishing the severity
of a northern winter. The opening of spring will be the
time to test the bravery and resources of the contending
parties ; and although we should have considered it pre-
ferable for the prestige of their arms that they had
pressed onward without delay to Pekin, it seems Chinese
tacticians think differently, and we must, therefore,
await the more active resumption of hostilities before
we are enabled fully to judge of the probable success of
the insurgent. patriot, or popular cause against the pre-
sent Government.

Shanghai remains still in the hands of the rebels. and
the Imperialists' only chance of success seems in being
to starve them out. -Various opinions are held on this
head. At present they seem to have ample supplies
within the city.

During the week an ineffectual attempt to negotiate
with the rebels in Shanghai on the part of the. French
is reported to have been made. The rebel chief Lew is
firm in his resolve to maintain his ground. It is sup-
posed that reinforcements have been RE nt for to Canton
in order to strengthen the present chief in his command.
The greatest danger seems at present to be likely to
arise from a division of parties within the city, rather
than from anything the Imperialists can effect by force,
bribery, or treachery.

PEKIN GAZETTES.-Our contribution of the present
week is one of a former batch, detailing Ke-Shen's re-
port of skirmishes near Yang-chow and Kwa-chow, on
the 4th and sth December last, wherein the Imperialists
claim to have killed above 3,000 men and to have de-
stroyed upwards of 20 junks of the insurgents. It will
be remembered that a few days after the said skirmishes
are said to have taken place, the Cassini discerned a
large reinforcement proceeding up the Grand Canal in
the direction of Kwa•chow and Yang-chow. This would
in all probability have turned the tide in favour of the
insurgents. Shing-paou also states that on the 27th of
November, above 80 of the Imperialists were drowned
by venturing too far on some ice near Tuh-lew ; they
were chiefly Tartar troops. He reports several advan-
tages gained over the rebels near Tuh-law, on the 12th
of December, in conjunction with Tuh-hung-a and Tung-
keen ; he also claims to have routed the rebels and to
have destroyed 1,000 men.
For the veracity of such statements it is only neces-
sary to refer to the reports sent up to Pekin of the do-
ings about Shanghai, in order to form a proper estimate
of the above so-called victories of the Imperialists over
the insurgents.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CANTON MARKET REPORT.
HONG KONG, Feb. 11.-Business has not been fully re•
sumed since the holidays ; we cannot, therefore, report
much alteration in our import market, but prospects con-
tinue favourable.
Cotton.-Prices are firm. Bombay, 5.6 taels to 6.7 taels;
Bengal, 5.5 taels to 6.6 taels ; Madras, 6.3 taels to 7.3 taels.
Cotton Yarn.-Quotations for high numbers a little bet-
ter. Nos. 16 to 24, $2l to s23i; Nos. 28 to 32, $25 to s27i;
Nos. 38 to 42, $26 to $3O.
Shirtings.-No transactions reported. Quoted for grays,
$1 50c. to $2 90e.; whites, $1 80c. to $2 90c.
Woollens quoted us before. Spanish stripes, assorted,
85c. to $1; long ells, $6 40c. to $6 95c.; scarlets, $6 760. to
$7 30c.
Metals.-Iron has advanced, and holders are firm. Nail
rod, $2 60c. to $2 75c.; bar, square, $2 sc. to $2 20c.; fiat,
V sc. to $2 20c.; round, $2 20c. to $4 60c.
Tin plates.-No sales.
Lead.-$6 80c. to $7.
Turkey Opium.-$370.
Tea.-Since the 21st ult. there have been considerable
transactions. Of congou, '32 chops sold at full prices.
About 17,000 packages green have been taken at previous
rates, except young hyson, which is 1 tael dearer, and little
in the market. The arrivals of congous have met the de-
mand, but greens come forward slowly. The export, as
estimated, shows an increase of 12,400,0001 b. on that of last
season at the same time.
Exchange on England.-Six months' sight hills have
been done at 4s. 11? d. to ss. OP. On India.-Company's
accepted paper, 238 r. to 237 r. per $lOO.
Bullion.-Sycee silver, 2 taels 4 mace premium; gold,
$2l 40c. ; Carolus dollars, $l4 50c. premium.
Freights.-Tonnage scarce. Vessels loading for London
at 6/. 10s., and for Liverpool at 5/. 10s. to Si. 15s.
From Shanghai our advices are to the 3d inst. There
were no quotations for imports, the dealers not having
been in the market since the new year.
Silk.-Nothing had been done, but it was expected, on
business being resumed, prices would open at about Pr.'
vious rates.
Tea.-Previous to the news by the 24th of Novembe
mail from England about 15 chops
for at Bto 9 taels; afterwards an advance of a-half to 1
tael took place, but few purchases made. The total settle.
meats of green were about 323
-Owing to^large
Exchange on England.. of dollars
and bullion, exchange had declined, and 9u°- for six
months' sight bills ss. 9d. to ss. Bd. On India.-Com-
pany's accepted paper, 270 r. per 100 dols.
Bullion.-Sycee silver, °
121pdols. to 122 dole. ; bar silver,
' 119 dols. • gold, 169 dols. to 170 d 1s•
Freights -No tonnage
av
71. to 8/.ailable. One vessel loading at

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
ARRIVALS FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
_ At Hong Kong.—February Btb, her Majesty's steamer
Encounter, from England ; February 9th, the Leo, from
Newport.
At Shanghai.--January 27th, the Lockett, from Liver.
pool.

DEPARTURE TO GREAT BRITAIN.
From Hong Kong—Feb. 3d, the Henbury to London ;
Feb. 6th, the Mary Spencer, to Liverpool.
From Shanghai—Feb. 1, the Confucius, to Liverpool ;
the Nemesis, to Belfast.

EGYPT.
ALEXANDRIA, MARCH 20.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers
Ripon and Himalaya, after having landed troops at
Malta, arrived here—the former on the 11th, and the
latter on .the 17th inst., and the Ripon proceeds to
Malta and Southampton this day with the India nadia
and passengers.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer