The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-16 00:00:00

CANTON.

The state of Kwang-tung becomes daily worse,
and the Triads, now numbering about 50,000 men,
including all the ruffianly desperadoes of the pro-
vince, have extended their ravages over one-sixth of
the villages, embracing those of the 6 districts of Sam-
shwui, Hwa,-hien, Nanhae, Pwan-yu. Shun-teh,
and Sin-hwui. The -wealthy city of Shun-teh-hien,
to the south-west of Canton, has been taken posses-
sion of and is still held by them ; but Sam-shwui-
hien, in the north-west, beyond Fuli-shan (Fat-
shan), mentioned in last Overland, has been retaken
by the mandarins ; as has also Shau-king-fu, about
75 miles west of Canton. Heang-shan-hien, by
last accounts, was said to be quiet ; but an exten-
sive conflagration in that direction, seen from Cum-
singmoon on the night of the 19th, leads us to en-
tertain serious fears for its safely. The outrages
which the Triads are committing have had the
effect of raising no fewer than 96 villages in arms
against them. These villages, including that of
Wang-chuli-ki, lie to the west of Canton, and their
inhabitants having banded themselves together in
self-defence, have vowed to put to death any of
their number who shall join the rebel ranks. This,
together with the want of heavy guns and ammuni-
tion,has hitherto prevented any serious demon-
stration against the provincial city, but the rebel
agents have been busy hero purchasing gunpowder,
&c., and the seizure of Cowloong, opposite to, and
within three miles of this colony, by a body of 1200
men from Hong Kong, on the morning of Satur-
day, the 19th, will give them the command of 70
guns. The fort was garrisoned by 120 soldiers,
and the commandant, having timely notice, made
preparations for defence ; but the village's braves
who had promised him theirassistance, aid to whose
care one of the gates was entrusted, joined the rebels,
who, notwithstanding that notice of the intended
attack had been given by the mandarin to our au-
thorities, managed to assemble some 500 in the Wong-
noi-chung and 300 in the Hawan, whence they pro-
ceeded towards the Joss House at East Point, and
there embarked for the villages of Hoong-hum and
Chim-sha-tsui, on the opposite shore, where they were
joined by reinforcements from the Sheong-wan, &c.
There they supped off provisions supplied by shops
at East Point, and remaiued until two when

they proceeded towards CowloOng, and began the
attack about a quarter before four. Though greatly
cut-numbered and betrayed by the villagers, the
garrison defended themselves for four hours ; but
were ultimately compelled to retreat on board a
war-junk, in which they the same morning came
over to Hong Kong, leaving an officer of the rank
of lieutenant prisoner in the hands of the Triads.
Six of the soldiers were.killed—how many of their
opponents we have not ascertained. As a mark of
gratitude for the assistance rendered by the vil
, lagers, the Triads have since deprived them sans
payment of every fowl and pig which they pos-
sessed ; and yesterday a body of men proceeded
from Cowloong to attack Tai-poong, a mandarin
station in Mir's Bay, after which they will probably
make an attempt on Nam-tao, a walled city in the
interior.

A contribution of Money and provisions has been
levied on the wealthy and populous town of
Whampoa, under threat of its destruction in case
of refusal. Many of the inhabitants voted for re-
sistance, but the timid portion prevailed. The de-
mand upon the inhabitants, however, though large,
must individually have been scarcely felt ; but
many of the smaller towns and villages have been
entirely ruined in complying with the requisition
made upon them.
Meanwhile, though all trade at Canton is for
the present stopped, the city itself remains in pos-
session of the mandarins. The foreign factories
are guarded by a strong force of British and Ame-
ricans, and the Comus, Supply, and Queen are
anchored close to.

The effects of this state of disorganisation are
beginning to be felt in Hong Kong itself, where
provisions have risen in price at least 50 per cent.,
and the supply of market produce is likely to be
stopped altogether unless some means are adopted
to put down the pirates who intercept the traders
on their passage to the colony. A large fleet of 15
sail has been cruising for the past fortnight near
Tam-koon-tow, the fishing station whence the
colony is supplied, and during the greater portion
of that time Sir W. Hoste, in the Spartan, is un-
derstood to have been gallanting at Macao. In his
absence the boats of the Racehorse have, or were
to have, been despatched iu search of the junks ;
but we hope that the intention has not been car-
ried into effect, as it will only lead to a needless sa-
crifice of the lives of the seamen. Nothing but a
steamer should ever proceed on such expeditions,
and we are glad to learn that the Rattler is for the
present to remain on this station for such purposes.
OUTRAGEOUS CONDUCT OF THE TRIADS AT
-WHAmroA.—The following extract of a letter
from Whampoa, dated the 15th of August, will
suffice to show the state of affairs at that anchor-
age, and the treatment to which the native servants
of foreigners are subject at the hands of the
patriots :
"The rebels took the fort in Blenheim Reach yester-
day, and have got tents pitched close to.
" Robberies of the Chinese take place in the presence
of the shipping, and the sufferers arc afraid to resist or
even call for assistance.

" The man who has supplied me with water for the
last year, had his water boats taken away from him yes-
terday, and my Chinese head sailmaker is obliged to
come to me for protection, as the rebels have ordered
him to make them 30 tents—a squeeze of course. He is
to find materials and workmanship sans payment, or
submit to the loss of his head.

"Bamboo Town is deserted by the quiet folks, and
nothing is to be had, not even fresh beef, for the
shipping. Even our clothes have to be sent to Canton
by the hteam er to be washed. No sampan will go from
one reach to the other after dark, and captains all go up
in the steamer."

After the rebels had taken possession of the fort
in Blenheim Reach, they fired upon a Dutch barque
passing up the river, and her captain was com-
pelled to send a boat ashore to ascertain the reason.
How long such outrages upon foreigners will be
permitted it is impossible to say. Every act having
the slightest semblance of aggression on the part
of the mandarins in former times called forth a de-
mand for instant 'explanation and apology ; but
foreigners are now wonderfully quiescent under
gross injuries and insults from the Triads.

On Friday evening, Aug. 11, in a frightful storm
of rain, thunder, and lightning, the rebels attacked
the north gate of Canton, and upwards of 600 Im-
perialists were killed in defence. The rebels were
with difficulty repulsed ; their estimated loss 100
men ; but from reports of agents who now con-
stantly visit Hong Kong, they are sanguine, and
say Canton will fall within a month. The 18th
instant was fixed upon for a grand attack on the
city.
All European ladies have left Canton and are re-
siding at Macao, which is threatened with an attack.
At Macao during the storm of the 11th, twenty
persons were killed by lightning, and a consider-
able damage done to buildings there and at Can-
ton. The house of Maximilian Fischer, Esq., and.
the Peninsular and Oriental Company's stores sus-
tained considerable damage.
A grand ball was given at Macao by the French
consul on the Emperor's birthday; Captain Sir
W. Hoste in the Spartan left Hong Kong to attend.
Her Majesty's ship Comus was off Canton ; also
the United States steamer Queen.

CHINA MARKETS.
CANTON MARKET, AUG. 20.
IMPORTS.
Nothing doing—trade completely stopped.
OPlUM.—Patna, 320 dols. ; Benares, 330 dole. ; and
Malwa, 375 dots.