The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-29 00:00:00

CHINA.

THE LATE DISTURBANCES AT MACAO.
(From the Boletim do Goloerno.)
In consequence of the repeated complaints of robberies
perpetrated in the Chinese fast-boats which run between
Macao, Canton, and Hong-Kong, without anypossibility
of discovering the perpetrators, because of our defective
information on the subject of those vessels and the people
employed in them, who have not the best character, and
ere believed to belong in a great measure to the band of
pirates which has committed so many depredations in
this neighbourhood, the Governor in Council for Chinese
affairs had resolved to impose a tax upon these boats,
obliging them to be registered in the procurador's office,
and not admitting them into the port without a num-
bered ticket, which should be renewed every month, upon
payment of one dollar, to be appropriated to the repair
end preservation of the public wharf of Tarrafeiro, which
is set apart for the mooring of the fast-boats, for the
facility of registration, as well as the greater convenience
of the public, Rho have only to proceed there when they
desire to employ any one.
• The edict having been published to that effect, the
proprietors of the fast boats, more especially those termed
headmen, refused to yield it due obedience, and in con-
sequence three of them were detained, having attempted
to leave on the 3d instant without complying with the
law. Upon this the others who had prepared to leave
remained, and having collected a band of robbers, about
1,500 in number, the greater part or nearly all being
vagabonds from Canton and neighbouring places, and
having disguised themselves, entered the river by the
passage of Pac-san, and having disembarked on the Sth
at six P.M., placed themselves with three guns in the
Tarrafeiro ; it was their plan to get possession of this
place and the Custom-house, and these points with the
whole line of the bazaar being secured, to deliver the
city up to pillage. But the Governor being informed
of all, had caused these points to be garrisoned, and
had employed all convenient measures to repel any at-
tack. As soon as it was known on the morning of
Thursday that the robbers were on shore, the Governor
sent a picquet of forty men in command of Lieutenant
Julio, who, placing himself at the head of the
street commonly called Jozi Lopes, opposed the ad-
vance of the robbers, who already were entering the
city by that street. Shortly after that he was rein-
forced by another picquet and a piece of ordnance under
the command of First Lieutenant Placido, and the rob-
bers were soon dislodged from Tarrafeiro, all running
towards the fast-boats. Being there attacked by an-
other force which had marched up by the street. of the
bazaar, commanded by Second Lieutenant Fidellis, and
surrounded on all sides, they retired in disorder on board
the fast-boats, by which they attempted to effect their
flight. In this they were prevented by the Government
schooner and some Macao lorchas. Mr. John Smith's
schooner Alpha, and the lorcha Canton, belonging to
Messrs. Dent and Co., promptly offered their service to
the Governor.
In little more than five hours the robbers were com-
pletely routed, ten of the fast-boats burned, eight run
ashore, and many others sunk and otherwise destroyed.
The destructive and well-directed fire of grape, and the
incessant discharges of musketry, must have caused
great destruction in their ranks, hat with those who
fell under the discharge from our guns, and others who
were drowned in their flight. Our force returned with-
out having suffered the least accident, not even
one wounded. This is due above all to the
good order and discipline which was main-
tained during the firing, from which so much
credit redounds to the small but brave battalion of
Macao. The conduct of this corps on the present occa-
sion entitles them to all praise, and confirms the good
name and the confidence which they have gained by
their subordination and loyalty. Nut less honourable
were the proceedings of the inhabitants of Macao on this
occasion : as soon at they knew that the city was in
peril, all ran to assist their brethren in arms in the de-
fence of the place. The pleasure and readiness with
which they presented themselves, the promptitude with
which they obeyed the orders, and, finally, the alacrity
with which they executed them, convinced all of their
perfect patriotism and of their self-dedication to the
public good, as well as of the loyalty of the inhabitants
of this more than ever loyal city of Macao. Imprudent
and ill-advised acts, and also indecorous to the chief
authorities of the place, perpetrated to the detriment of
b
thegood name of the good Macaenses, would have pre-
judicedahhniosgreatestooufrttoa
htbheti
hee
nmeaaesnsti
support
national
nl tepohmaii:
dignity
aoi
ognpfdni
mannerni
ttti
hyto,
en o
d
atnhidnef the
authority
hweo
which
rhueGr
of
Governor
entitles
tr
dffeor
confidence
Gnr, ;
cetoedhv
eeuw t
urt
whithech
them-
selveset
rho
is this day reposed in them by the chief authorities of
the place, who will not lose a moment in expressing it,
and in manifesting to them the complete satisfaction
which they have felt on this occasion.
So complete was the rout of the Chinese that in the
night of the same day perfect quiet and tranquillity
were restored in all the city, which has not since been
disturbed; and it is not to be believed that it will be
again, after the severe lesson which has been given to
the rebels, and the beneficial terror struck into the
Chinese in general by the superiority of our arms and
the decisive conduct of the Governor. The bazaar, which
was closed on Thursday, was opened on the morning of
the following day, in consequence of an edict of the Go-
vernor, which the Chinese promptly obeyed, as well as
thd various other orders emanating from his Excellency;
and up to this day the supply of provisions for the
city has not been interrupted, which, and all other
matters, continue as before, as though nothing had hap-
pened.

His Excellency the Governor, not being able at the
commencement of the troubles to anticipate all the
results, and desirous of employing every means to
protect the life and property of the inhabitants of the
place, in case of some unforeseen disaster, sent,
without loss of time, to the Governor of the colony
of Hong-Kong, soliciting a vessel of war, which
might serve for a secure asylum, as well for the
subjects of her Majesty as for the strangers here resi-
dent, when need should be. To this end was dispatched,
at ten ♦.M. the cutter of Mr. P. S. Forbes, consul of the
United States (which was cheerfully placed at the dis-
posal of the Governor), with the official dispatches of his
Excellency to the Governor of Hong Kong. In conse-
quence the war steamer Vulture was immediately sent
over to Macao. It arrived here at seven .4.31, of Friday,
and remained until the following Monday, when it left
for long-Kong at two o'clock in the afternoon.

CANTON MARKET, OCT. 26.
IMPORTS.

Cotton—Owing to the want of rain interfering with
the water carriage, and to the great scarcity of money,
this staple has somewhat receded, notwithstanding the
smallness of the stocks. The net quotations are-5 taels
to 6.3 for Bombay; fine Banda, 7.4; and Tinnivelly, 5
to 7 taels. It should be remarked that there is little or
no fine Bombay at market, and the best would command
some mace more than the above quotation. The follow-
ing is the statemNa of imports, stocks, and deliveries for
the month ending 30th instant:—
_ _

Stock same
Imported. Deliveries. Stock. period 1845.
Bombay, bales 24,000 15,022 58,355 64,466
Bengal, „ 1,791 U,392 6.493 1,508
Madras, „ 5,547 4,326 6,389 12,170
America, „ none none 475 1,397

Total... 30,338 21,739 71,712 79,341
The stock at same period of 1844 was 150,027.
N.B. This report has no reference to the sales by im-

i porters during the month; the imports show the quanti-
ties entered at the Custom-house and actually landed;
the deliveries, the quantities delivered from the pack-
and c‘itt,
the stock, that remains in the pack-houses, cold and
not sold. -
Cotton Yarn—The demand for this article continues
good, and prices have rallied, especially for low numbers.
The heavy imports which caused apprehension some
months back have been placed, and as the supply for some
time will be upon a moderate scale, the present quotations
are sure to be maintained. The imports of the month
are reported at 2,269 b.ilos, the deliveries 1,435 bales,
and the stock r =lining 3,775 bales, against 1.825 last
year at the same period. The present quotations long
are—Nos. 16 to 24, 28 dol. to 29 dol.; Nos. 26 to 32, 31
dol. to 32 dol.; Nos. 34 and 42, 33 dol. to 34 dol.
Long Cloths—Sales continue upon a very limited
scale, and the article continues much depressed. The
quotations long are—Grey 1 dol. 70c. for common, up to
2 dols. 60c. for heavy 72 reed; and whites 2dols. 30c. for
common, up to 3 dols. for the best.
American Goods—Owing to the high rates ruling in
the north, holders have manifested much firmness. The
stocks appear light, and there is a considerable degree of
confidence existing in the article. The quotations long
are—Drills 40 yards, 3 dols. 30c. to 3 dols. 40c., and
domestics 40 yards, 2 dols. 50c. to 2 dols. 75c.
Long Ells have fluctuated considerably, and the sales
9 dols.; purple, 8 dols. 90c.; mazarine blue, 8 dols. 10c.;
yellow, 7 dols. 80c.; black and green, 7 dots. 50c.; light
blue, 7 dols. 30c.; ash, 6 dols. 40c.
Spanish Stripes—Are very unsteady and difficult.
Those reported are upon a small scale. The following
are the quotations long for household goods :—Scarlet 9
dols. 90c. ; brown move. The sales reported are upon
a moderate scale, and the stock in second hands seems
heavy. The quotation long for assortments is 1 del.
25c. to 1 dol. 35c., the respective prices of each colour
being—purple, 1 dol. 40c. to 1 dol. 45c.; scarlet, 1 dol.
40c.; mazarine blue, 1 dol. 30c.; gentionella, 1 dol. 20c.;
black, 1 dol. 10c. to :1 dol. 15c.; brown, 1 dol. ; light
blue, 95c.; green, 85c.; yellow, 80c.; ash, 65c.
Camlets—Although this is the best season the demand
continues very slack. A small sale of English is re-
ported at 22 dolls. 50c. long. 500 Dutch pieces have
also been placed at 26 dolls. to 27 dolls. 50c., and a few
pieces broad at 33 dolls.

Lead—Has declined to 5 dolls. 25c. long.
Iron—Has advanced. Sales are reported of nailrod at
3 dolls. 20c. to 3 dolls. 50c. long., of hoop at 3 dolls., of
bar and bolt at 3 dolls. 20c. to 3 dolls. 40c., and of wire
at 4 dolls. to 5 dolls.

Tin Plates continue saleable at 6 dolls. to 6 dolls. 50c.
. __

Betel Nut continues extremely dull. A few sales have
been made of new at 3 dolls. to 3 dolls. 20c. long; but as
that rate cannot now be obtained, it is clear that it has
been overheld. Still the dealers are short of stock, and
the quantity held by importers is not short.
Rattans—A considerable quantity have been placed
during the month, at the following rates long, which
exhibit an improvement:—Banjarmassing, 3 dolls. to
3 dolls. 25c. ; Straits. 2 dolls. 75c. to 3 dolls. ; water,
1 doll. 80c. to 2 dolls. 20c.

Putchuck very dull, at 6 dolls. 50c. long.
Cloves have receded to 25 dolls.

Cochineal has advanced to 300 dolls.

Rice has advanced, owing to the want of rain having
caused a deficient crop. Arracan is 1 doll. 40c.; Manilla
and Java, ldoll. 75c. to 1 doll. 90c.

Opium—Malwa remains very dull, and the stock con-
tinues to accumulate. The rates are nearly nominal,
and holders appear content with what they can get ;
620 dolls. is the highest quotation for the best. Patna
has been governed entirely by speculation, and the
legitimate demand has been small. The demand has

been principally at three weeks, and snch was the extent
to which speculation was carried that an unlimited

quantity could be disposed of. The cash demand was
very selall, and the price was ruled entirely by the rate
at three weeks, ranging 10 dolls. to 15 dolls. below it.
The rate for Patna at three weeks was run up to 690
dolls. During the last few days, these three weeks'
bargains have become due, and the buyers are unable
to clear. Confidence is paralysed, and as more bargains
fall due daily, it seems as if repudiation were to be the

order of the day. The legitimate demand is quite
swamped by this excitement, and cannot be expected to
appear until it has subsided. It is hard to determine the
cash price of this day, because no one durst force the
market, but we question if 630 dolls. cash could be got
for any quantity. Benares and old Patna are not in-
quired for. Turkey remains steady at 490 dolls.