The Sun.
London, England, 1835-06-26 00:00:00

CIIINA.

The following is an extract of a private letter received in
the city by the last arrivals from Macao, dated Feb. 3 :
" My object in writing is to tell you all I know of an un-
fortunate seizure of British subjects, which, if not skilfully
adjusted, may bring us into trouble with the authorities, arid,
for a time at least, lay an embargo on our trade. A short
time ago, during a severe gale, the ship Argyle made the coast
of China, and the Captain, being ignorant of the navigation,
and naturally anxious for the assistance of a native pilot, rashly
sent a boat ashore with an officer and no less than 12 men. On
landing these men were immediately seized, and after an inter-
val, two Chinese were despatched to the ship to announce that
they were detained for having infringed the laws of the empire
by landing, but that they were empowered to say, that if the
Captain would send on shore 500 dollars, they should be all
forthwith liberated. The Captain stated that they had not the
money on board, and after a fruitless altercation, he seized the
two Chinese, and proceeded on his voyage. On the 29th
ult. he landed here, and after fully stating his case to the su-
perintendents, he took his ship to the usual anchorage, Lin-
tin, where I believe she now lies. In the evening of the same
day Captain Elliott, the third superintendent, in company
with Gubyleff, left this, with the intention of settling matters.
Their destination was kept perfectly secret, and though they
returned this morning, it is not yet known where they have
been, or what they have done. It seems also uncertain whether
the party who seized the men were acting under the autho-
rity of the Mandarin, or whether they made the seizure on
their own account as pirates. It is to be hoped that everything
possible will be done to avoid paying the dollars, otherwise it
will be but the commencement of a frightful system, which
must sooner or later be the cause of serious disturbances. It
is now said, and on good authority, that the Americans have
often suffered in the same way, and have invariably paid the
sums demanded.

" I have just returned from making inquiries about this af-
fair, and the result is, that the letter was presented at a fort
some miles above Whampoa, called Howqua's Folly, and that
Captain Elliott, in his full naval uniform, offered his petition
to some Mandarins, telling them he was a King's man, and
that, on their refusal, he would retake the men by force. They
refused to acknowledge him as in the employment of the King
of England, and would have nothing to do with his petition.
And so the matter rests for the present, and we are now wait-
ing to hear the resolution of the Superintendents, which is of
course kept secret.
" A gentleman, who came as passenger by the ship Anne,
confirms the above statement ; but he does not attach quite so
much importance to the circumstance, as he is of opinion that
the Chinese would release the men, though they would have
nothing to say to a King's officer."

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.

GUILDHALL.

A Lady from Stoke Newington tendered an affidavit re-
specting the identity and change of residence of a stockholder,
for the satisfaction of the Bank.

Mr. Alderman FAREBROTHER said such affidavits should be
made before a Magistrate residing where the deponent lived.
why, would probably know, or could ascertain, that the party
making the affidavit was the person named in it. 'the faci-
lity, of personating a party from the country befbre a nigis-
trate in London. who would have no knowledge of their iden-
tity, had led to the commission of crime in one instance within
his own experience; and where an affidavit was to warrant a
transfer of money he would never again administer an oath to
a person of whom be bad no knot ledge.
The affidavit was therefore refused.
Another affidavit for the satisfaction of the Bank was after-
wards tendered by a gentleman not unknown to the Alderman.
In this case the trustee of a charity school fund of 3,0001.
had become bankrupt, and as he was described in the Bank
hooks as of the City-road, and in the Commission of Bankrupts
as of Broad-street, the Bank required an affidavit of the identity
and change of residence of the party.
The Clerk observed that, according
.to the new Act, a
Magistrate could only administer an affidavit where it was re-
quired by some statute, or in the course of some judicial pro
ceeding. This affidavit appeared to belong to neither class.
The Bank Solicitor should turn his attention to the new statute.

The gentleman hoped that the Legislature was wise enough
to have provided for the ordinary despatch of business.
No," said Mr. Alderman FAREBROTHER, " our Legislators
only pass Acts of Parliament."—The affidavit was refused.