The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-14 00:00:00

IN TO CHINA

Chang-chau and attacked the city of that depart

ment, the different positions outside it were, alas ! lost one
after the other, the troops being few, while the enemy were
numerous. The Generalissimo led on his columns to fight
fiercely, but the enemy threatening his line of retreat he
was nimble to enter the city, and was compelled to retire
upon Wu-sih, protect the city of that dist/ ict, and carefully
guard the gates of Soochow, that so the great stake might
be recovered. On the 4th (24th of May), however, some
hundreds of outlaws on horseback made their way to the
neighbourhood of Teih-sz-yeu (between Chang-chau and
Wu- sih), for the purpose of making a reconnaissance, on
which the Generalissimo in person led on some cavalry to
the attack, to surround them and exterminate them. The
rebels were put to the rout, 14 heads were cut off, and 10
horses taken, and this great victory obtained. On the sth
inst (25th of May) some thousand good troops were de-
spatched to encamp outside the north gate in the neighbour
hood of the high bridge, at 20 li from the city, which is
secured against harm by the completeness of the above dis-
positions. Lest, however, the troops and braves scattered
in every direction should not know where the camps are
pitched it is expedient to issue a proclamation. This pro-
clamation is accordingly issued for the information of the
military officers and men who fell back from Chang-chau
and Tan-yang. Let all who have gone elsewhere return
with all speed to \Vu-sih and assemble their forces, every
man rejoining his own camp, and let the officers command-
ing call on the leaders of the subordinate divisions for a
return of their strength and present it to the Generalissimo,
that he may have the data that will enable him to issue the
necessary rations and supply the cooking utensils, arms, and
tents required; and let them wait for orders where to pitch
their camp, so that step by step they may advance to the at-
tack. They will not be allowed to station themselves at Soo-
ehow, nor must they go to any distance they please. It is as-
sumed that officers, soldiers, and militia who have been so
long in receipt of rations and pay, who have eaten the
fruits of the earth and walked the ground recipients of the
bounty of this illustrious dynasty, which has bred and fed
its subjects for centuries, will not fail to feel their conscience
stir them, and, joining their sovereign in hatred of his
enemies, exert themselves with energy, that the frontiers
of the empire may be made secure and the devilish temper
(the rebellion) suppressed ; that they will henceforth assert
the dignity of war and recover the different cities taken.
So doing their merit will be great, and all alike inviting the
reward of his Majesty which will equal their glory and good
fortune ? It is the sincere hope of the generalissimo that
they will act. Tremble. Let' none resist.
" A special proclamation.
L " Posted Hien Fang, 10th year, 4th month, 17th day
(June 7, 1860)."

Did ever trumpet give sound so uncertain? Was
ever generalissimo so content spargere vocal in
vulguin ambiguas? He assumes that officers and.
men will "feel their conscience stir them." Alas
for poor Chang 1 John Chinaman knows the value
of time and money, and will only give one in ex-
change for the other. "No catchey piecey dollar
no catchee rebels ;" and the dollars are needed for
the imperial city, which must at all cost be protected.
from barbaric invasion. So the spirits which Chang
would fain have evoked did not answer his bidding,
and Soochow, the second city of the empire, fell
into the hands of the rebels. In those hands it still
remains, according to the latest accounts, notwith-
standing an incorrect rumour which prevailed at
Shanghai some 10 days ago that the rebels had.
returned to Nankin. The Governor Su, " oppressed
to death," committed suicide at Soochow, and Ho,
Governor-General of the province, fled to Shanghai.
There he placed himself in communication with
the Allies, whom he besought to advance on Soo-
chow (90 miles), Sand drive out the rebels. This
proposition was most properly declined, but the
generals, with the approval of Mr. Bruce, offered
a guard to protect life and property at Shanghai.
Accordingly a force of 400 men and officers of the
battalion of Royal Marines under Lieutenant-
Colonel Gascoigne, with three howitzers and tux
equal number of French, have been placed in an
advantageous position for the_ defence of the tow!'
and factories if attacked by the rebels. The posi-
tion has been considerably strengthened by out-
works, and could be reinforced in an hour. Mean-
while the greatest alarm prevails among the Chinese
population of Shanghai, many of whom are leaving
the place in equal dread of the soldiery, should. they
retreat, or the rebels, should they advance upon it.
They have not forgotten their miseries when the
native town was occupied by the rebels scane seven
years ago. Nearly all business is suspended, though
the Europeans are safe under the protection of the
Allied bayonet. An attempt—quite unsuccessful--
was made to reassure the Chinese population 11
the issue of the following proclamation :
" Wu, Intendant of the Su-Sung-Tai circuit, issues
proclamation to tranquillize the people. Whereas on the
17th inst. (6th of June) his Excellency the Governor-
General Ho, Guardian of the Heir Apparent, came to
Shanghai followed by 20 dragon boat. and other vessels,
escorting the Commissariat, which entered the Hwang-pu
from the Wu-sung. The Intendant is apprehensive that
the people dwelling along the shores, by paying undue
attention to the unfounded reports in circulation, may be
seized with alarm. The tranquillity of the quarter may be
counted on, as the English and French nations, co-operat-
ing with the Chinese authorities, have placed a picked force
at all important points, by land and water. It is expedient
that this should be publicly known, and the Intendant
accordingly issues this notice to inform all residing on the
shores of the Hwang-pu that, in concert with the military
authorities, native and foreign, he is making the most care-
ful dispositions for the security of the quarter. Let them
not, therefore, unnecessarily give ear to idle rumours, nor
allow themselves to be panic-stricken without a cause.
Take heed 1 Take heed 1"
"Paradise is above," says the Chinese proverb,
"but below are Soochow and Hangchow." Both
these towns are in the hands of the rebels, who can
stop the whole trade of Shanghai.
Before me is a list of the transports employed by
the British Commissariat. No less than 119 vessels
have been taken up, many of which are steamers.
They average 1,000 tons each, and have been char-
tered at freights varying from 17s. 6d. to 225. 6d.
per ton per month. Thus 120,0001. a month is paid.
for transport alone: But this represents a small
portion of the necessary Commissariat expenses. By
some mails they have drawn 400,0001. upon
half thatponEng-
land and India, and by none less than
amount. We have no less than 76 pennants in
these waters, and the French have 45 ; the cost of
the Chinese war must, therefore, already be counted
by millions. Except the Assistance we have had
casualties. The French have been less fortunate
—one of their transports has been wrecked and an-
other burnt. The Yangtze steamer, -which has just
arrived from Shanghai, reports another large French
transport in a dangerous position on the north
bank near that port. She was firing signals of dis-
tress, and a gunboat was hastening to her assist-
ance. My next letter will be from Shanghai,
whither I proceed forthwith en route to join the
expedition. Lord Elgin sails to-morrow in the
Feroze steam sloop of war, and Baron Gros next
day in the Saigon, both for Shanghai. Immediately
after their arrival active operations on the Peiho
will commence.

SIR CHAS. WOOD AND THE BENGAL CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE.—The Calcutta Price Current, of the 3d of
July, published by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, Con-
tains the following paragraph :—" The committee of the
Chamber of Commerce has noticed with surprise the state-
ment of Sir Charles Wood, in the House of Commons, on
the 24th May, that the new customs tariff had been entered
into with the general concurrence of the Chamber, it being
well known to the local Government that its course has
been one of protest and remonstrance from the commence.
ment."
The Polynesian, a journal published at Honolulu,
announces that the young Prince of Hawaii has been
officially proclaimed heir to the throne. The King and
Parliament have decided that each member of the House of
Assembly shall receive 150 dollars per session, that 1,000
dollars a year shall be the minimum property qualification
of each member, that the number of the House of Nobles
shall not exceed 20, and that the franchise shall be the
right of all males above 20 years of age.
IMPROVED ORDER OF OLD FRIENDS BENEFIT
SOClETY.—Yesterday a meeting, attended by nearly 3,000
persons, was held at the Roebuck Inn, Buckhurst-hills
near Woodford. An excellent dinner was provided; the
band of the 2d Life Guards enlivened the festivities ; and
thel
ficTohrince
efseosprsmodnemrt
Lodgeihht
itases e to contribute the thoroughly English good
ute feeling
te
their displayedcomfort.tThrhoeugLho oyuti
proved how well every member appreciated the efforts of
Occasion,adnisdp
etnh se
eLdaonuydpa
wi the
aYr York
sekos
of £17,000
hadm
oinajoinedbenefits, fie
sttsshf, iri
without a single pound on its claimant fund, and has pro
grossed to the extent of £2,000 a year. During the year, in
one of these lodges, the increase of members has been 261,
and the surplus receipts £545 upon the past year. IVI,IO
excellent speeches were made and appropriate toasts pro-
posed, The entertainment passed off most agreeably.
DEATH BY DROWNING AT RAMSGATE.---0n
Sunday morning a man of the name of Gilbert, who vvi!s
employed at the water-works at Ramsgate, went out to
bathe from one of the bathing-machines. He could 110 b
swim, but somehow got out of his depth, and after
struggling for a few minutes he sank and was drowned In
the sight and almost within reach of several persons. The
.
poor man leaves a wife and five children in humble circunii
stances. Some gentlemen who were visiting the town, or;
who saw the poor fellow drowned, kindly collected sill',
latter,
scriptions for the widow and children, to the amount of
nearly £3O, during the day. The unhappy wife
wasCOll
fined of her fifth child only a day or two since ; the
by a strange coincidence, dying at the very time the father
was drowned.