The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-06 00:00:00

No. 11.

MR. BRUCE TO THE EARL OF MILMESBURY.
(Received Sept. 13.)
Shanghae, July 15,1859.
My Lord,—Your lordship has been informed in my pre-
vious despatches that the American minister, Mr. Ward,
had associated himself with us in cur demands to exchange
the ratifications of the treaty at Pekin, and had further
stated to the Imperial commissioners at Shanghao that he
was instructed to deliver in person the letter of the President
of the United States of America to the Emperor of China.
He could only claim these privileges un d er the roost favoured
nation clause, and therefore awaited the results of the at-
tempts made to detain us at Shanghae. When they failed
he expressed his intention of going to the Peiho, and re-
ceived an invitation from the commissioners to accompany
us there.
On the 24th he crossed the bar of the Peiho in a small
steamer, with the intention of proceeding to the booms, and
making the attempt to advance up the river, leaving it to
the Chinese to fire on him if they chose to do so. His
steamer, however, grounded before reaching them, and was
with difficulty got off by the gunboats, after considerable
delay. He therefore contented himself with demanding a
passage, and was met by a refusal on the part of the mi-
litia, who gave themselves out as the garrison of the forts.
He remained at the mouth of the river during the attack,
determined to push up had wo opened a way through the
barriers; and it is very gratifying to me to bear testimony
to the friendly feeling and assistance we derived from him-
self and Flag Officer Tatnall on the:. day.
After we had decided on abandoning the attempt to reach
Pekin, Mr. Ward considered himself bound to effect, if pos-
sible, the exchange of ratifications under the provisions of
the American treaty. Ho had received no communication
since his arrival from the Imperirl Government, but he ad-
dressed a letter to the Governor-General, expressing his
wish to proceed to Pekin and exchange the ratifications
there. This letter ho despatched in his steamer to Pe •
tang-ho, with his secretary and interpreter. I enclose
a memorandum, she wing the nature of the approach to
Pe-tang-ho and its defences.
I have heard indirectly that when the boat from the
steamer approached the shore, most of the villagers fled.
With difficulty two men were found to whom the object of
the visit was explained and the letter delivered, on their
undertaking to forward it to the Governor-General, whose
place of residence they would not, however, divulge. They
at the same time urged the bearers to return without delay
to the boat, to avoid being attacked by the horsemen who
were seen in the neighbourhood. It was fortunate they
did so, for they were chased by the cavalry, two of whom
pursued them into the water.
Soon after a junk came off with provisions, and a mes-
sage from the authorities of the place to say that the letter
had been forwarded, and an answer would be shortly re-
ceived. On the sth of July, Mr. Ward informed me that
the Governor-General had appointed Friday, the Bth, for
an interview at Pe-tang-ho. Having left on the 6th, I do
not as yet know the result.
1 do not think that the Chinese will make difficulties
about exchanging the ratifications of the American treaty.
The conditions under which the American minister is alone
entitled to visit the capital, contain nothing offensive.n toal
superiority. Chinese
trattreaty
dinconsistentoes not with
open it s
theclaimslasit give the
ye of nan
g te river,
or any port to the north of Shaughaceo,unnoir.
It leaves also
do
right to travel in the interior o,ftitoinie ry.
untouched the important of transit duties. The
z tzo
true policy of the Chinese would be, therefore, to reutve

CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS
.-
EVEItY EVENING.—The Music of Verdi's Opera of
MACBETH (now first made public In England at these Con-
Mrts), the (-xtraor .inary Violin Performances of the cele-
Lrated Infant DELEPIERRE FAMILY, and the usual
Vocal Conce; t.

Comic Vocalists - Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come-
dian and Mimic), W. T. Critellileld, and E. W. hackney.
Several interestit, Pictures are added to the Fine Arts
Gallery. The suite of Halls have been re-decorated and
beautified, and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant
sights of the metropolis.
Will shortly be produced, a Grand Seection from Meyer-
beer's new opera of DINORAH.