The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-17 00:00:00

ADMIRALTY, FEL 15.

Despatches, of which the following are copies, have been
received by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour.

°MATIONS AT CANTON.

H.M.S. Coromandel, at Canton, Dec. 28, 1857.

Sir,—Aly letter, No. 343, of the 15th inst., conveyed the
intelligence of the peaceable occupation of Honan Point by
the forces of the Allied Powers, and that a letter had been
sent in to Yeh, the Imperial -High Commissioner, by the
Ambassadors of the Allied Powers, stating the demands of
the two Governments, lour-granting ten days for a consi-
deration of the same, failing compliance with which, coer-
cive measures would be commenced against the city of
Canton.

2. The brigade of Royal Marines and Royal Marine
Artillery were immediately afterwards brought up to the
large storehouses on Honan, and comfortably quartered, as
well as a portion of the Naval Brigade. The troops were
left on board the transports Lancashire Witch and Moores-
foot, at Whampoa, and the French Contingent remained
board their own ships, except a small party in conjoint
occupation at Honan.
3. On the 18th, I received a communication from the
Earl of Elgin and Baron Gros, stating that the reply of the
High Commissioner had been received—that it was moat
unsatisfactory, and inviting the naval and military cora-
cnanders-in-chief to a conference on board the Audacieuse,
to consider what further steps should be taken, in conse-
quence of Yeh's determination to resist the very moderate
remands of the two governments.
4. The conference was held on the 21st instant, when it
was determined that the Plenipotentiaries should address
a letter to the Imperial High Commissioner, informing
his Excellency that, in consequence of hie non-compliance
,with the demands submitted for his consideration, the
turther settlement of the question had been transferred to
the naval and military authtrities, and that we should also
Address a letter to his Excellency stating the above fact,
And that if, at the end of forty-eight hours, the silty should
be peacefully surrendered into our hands, life tnil property
would be respected, but that, if the terms were not ac-
.;epted, the city would be attacked.
5. All our efforts to avert the evils of war from the
Chinese having failed, through th 4 obstinate determina-
tion which has charaeterised the proceedings of the Imps-
ial Commissionerfrom Oct. 21, 1856, nothing remained
for the Commanders of the Allied Forces but to address the
Imperial Jommissioner, and to carry into execution the
painful alternative of attacking Canton, which was com-
menced at daylight this morning. The departure of the
packet will prevent my giving any further reports. lam
low on the point of joining the forces disembarking at
Kuper's Island for the assault on the city walli.
6. I beg to enclose copies of two General Orders of the
25th inst.' and of Memoranda issued by Major-General
Van Straubenzee, containing the necessary arrangements
for the attack, which I hope will put their lordships in
full possession of our intended proceedings.
7. I have pleasure in reporting that the most perfect
unanimity exists between the Commanders-in-Chief of the
Allied Forces.—l kayo, &c.,
(Signed) M. SEYMOUR,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London.