The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-16 00:00:00

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SUN OFFICE, Seven, o'Clook.

BOMBARDMENT OF CANTON.

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES•

(From the London Gazette of this evening.)

WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, FEB. 15.
The Secretary of State for War has this day Hewed a
Despatch, of which the folowing is a copy, addressed to
his Lordship by Major-General C. T. Van Stranbenzee,
C.B , Commanding her Majesty's Land Forces in China :

Canton, Dec. 29, 1857.
My Lord,—l have great satisfa3tion in reporting that
Canton City was escaladed and captured this day at
nine o'clock, with a more trifling loss than could have
been expected. Great emulation wai displayed by
the whole Allied Force, amongst whom the greatest cordi-
ality and good feeling exists.
We have to deplore the loss of Captain Bates, of the
Royal Navy, also of Lieutenant Hackett, of the 5 )th Regi-
ment. Lieutenant B3wen, of the same regiment, has
been seriously wounded.

All is still in confusion, and the mail leaving ; I must
therefore defer further details till the next opportunity.—
I have, &A.,

C. T. VAN STRA.IIBENZEE,
Major-General,
Commanding Troops in China.
Fort Gough is now being occupied.
The Right Honourable the Secretary
of State for War, &c.

ADMIRALTY, FEB. 15.
Despatches, of which the following are copies, have been
received by the Lord 9 Commissioners of the Admiralty
from Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour.

OPERATIONS AT CANTON.

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

Sir,—My 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 Yoh, tlio Imp2riAl ;111!1 Commissioner, by the
Ambassadors of the Allied Powers, stating the demands of
the two Governments, and 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 here
left on board the transports Lancashire Witch and Moores-
foot, at Wharnpoa, and the French Contingent remained
on board their own ships, except a small party in conjoint
occupation at Ronan.
3. On the 15th, I received a communication from the
Earl of Elgin and Baron Gros, stating that the reply of the
High Commissioner hal been received—that it was most
unsatisfactory, and inviting the naval and military com-
manders-in-chief to a conference on board the Audacious°,
to consider what further steps should be taken, in conse-
quence of Yeh's determination to resist the very moderate
demands 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 his non-compliance
with the demands submitted for his consideration, the
further settlement of the question had boon transferred to
the naval and military authorities, and that wo should also
address a letter to his Excellency stating the above fact,
and that if, at the end of forty-eight hours, the city should
be peacefully surrendered into our hands, life and property
would be respected, but that, if the terms were not ac-
cepted, the city would be attacked.
5. All our efforts to avert the evils of war from the
Chinese having failed, through the obstinate determina-
tion which has characterised the proceedings of the Impe-
zial Commissioner from Oct. 21, 1856, nothing remained
for the Commanders of the Allied Forces but to address the
Imperial Commissioner, 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
now on the point of joining the forces disembarking at
Super's Island for the assault on the city walls.
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 neeessary 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.--I have, &e.,
(Signed) M. SEYMOUR,
Rear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief.
To the Secretary of the Admiralty, London.