The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-29 00:00:00

CHINA.

We take the following from the Hongkong Over-
rand Mail of the 15th November :

" The London mail of the 26th of September had
not arrived here up to the hour of our going to
press, but intelligence has been received from
England via Bombay, up to the 19th of September.
" It is reported that the Americans are already
in the field as mediators between China and the two
offended European Powers. At least his Excel-
lency, Mr; Ward, left Shanghae on the 2d inst., to
meet the Governor-General of Kiangsu. Kwanshan,
the place of meeting, is whore Iliang received Colo-
nel Marshall and Mr. McLane ; and the Chinese
believe that Ho has been instructed by the Emperor
to see if the Americans can do anything to arrange
matters with France and England. At the same
time the Imperial Government is gathering together
its very limited means of defence, lest matters
should be pushed to extremity. The scanty supply
of rice at Pekin, and its consequent high price, may
lead to the starvation of myriads of helpless and
unoffending persons in the event of energetic mea-
sures being adopted by the foreign powers.
" From Japan we learn that Mr. Consul-General
Alcock has made arrangements, at Hakodadi (a
small town with few public buildings), for the esta-
blishment of the Consulship there under Mr. C. P.
Hodgson. The currency question has at last been
satisfactorily arranged, and Itzebnes are to be
exchanged for Mexicans at the rate of 311 for 100.
Increasing confidence exists between foreigners and
the Japanese Government. The most important
intelligence from Japan is that Commissioners are
to be sent from it to the United States, as was
provided for in the treaty concluded by Mr.
Townshend Harris. It was hardly expected that
that clause of the treaty would be carried out,
but the Japanese Government has signified its
intention of doing so, and has already appointed
Commissioners, who are to leave in the Powhatan
in February next, the date fixed by the treaty.
The mission will consist of two Commissioners, two
censors, who have to report on the conduct of the
Commissioners, three Lieutenant-Governors, eight
generals and colonels, two interpreters, two physi-
cians, and 40 servants.

,' Laou, lately the Acting Governor of Canton,
has been made Governor of the Two Kwang, and
Kiling, a relative of Ki-ying, and lately Governor
of Kiangsu, has been made Governor of Canton
city.

" We are glad to hear that the liberal scheme of
emigration to the West Indies sanctioned by the
British Government, is meeting with success, and
that so many families have already been secured,
that a large supplymay be looked for when the rice
crop is all gathered in. It was one of the old China
notions that respectable Chinese women could not
be got to emigrate at any price; but the native
Government of I(wang-tung has co-operated in the
regulation of the traffic, and much has been effected
by the actiiity of European gentlemen who know
the peasantry well and enjoy their confidence.
Laou, the new Governor-General, urged by the
Commissioners of Canton, promises kis active sup-
gration so long as it is properly con-
port to emi
ducted, and nothing will do more than a really
good system to check the irregularities and atro-
cities Connected with that to Cuba."

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
The London letters of the 10th of September reached
Shanghae on the 29th ult. Our latest dates from that port
are down to the 7th inst. There had been little change in
the markets for either imports or exports since the depar-
ture of the previous mail. Political matters remained in
static quo. News of the effect of the Poiho disaster on the
English public was anxiously looked for. There are ru-
mours that IL E. Mr. Ward, the American Minister, had
had an interview with an Imperial representative, and that
weightier matters than the carrying out of the recently con-
tracted commercial treaty had been discussed. The Chi-
nese positively assert that the representative of their
Imperial master was empoweied to solicit the good offices
of the American, with a view of bringing about a settlement
between the British Plenipotentiary and the Imperial Go-
vernment Without a resort to arms, but the latter appears
to be making every preparation for a determined resistance
should their pacific endeavours prove ineffectual. Little
truth should be attached to the former part of this stuef,
but that the latter portion is true there is no doubt. Large
supplies of rice are being brought up for shipment to Pekin,
and the ,g national defences" are being put on a war
footing.

Notwithstanding these wars and rumours of wars busi-
ness in the several ports goes on as usual, and confidence is
felt that trade wili not be interrupted.
Tea—The mail of 10th September did not bring very en-
enraging accounts of the home market, but, notwithstand-
ing that, buyers display loss eagerness to purchase in con-
sequence of the dull trade and gradually softening prices
in England. Teamen remained firm in their demands ;
rates ruling at the departure of last mail were current for
this. Green teas were lower. A large business had been
done, chiefly on American account, at a reduction of tls. 1
to 11,

Silk was lower from tls. sto 10. Buyers were reluctant
operators in the face of last accounts from Europe. Holders
were, however, very Arm in their demands.
Exchange was quoted, Bank-bills, Gs. lid. to 6s. ild. ;
credits and documentary paper, 6s. Bd. to 6s. 81d.
Shipping continued abundant, notwithstanding that the
north-east monsoon had considerably diminished the num-
ber of seeking vessels. Freights wore as last quoted, £1
10s. to £2 for tea, and £3 lOs fer silk to London.
The dates from Amoy reach down to the 7th inst. Civil
commotion continues to prevail in the country round about
this important outlet for our manufactures. The people
otter a determined and apparently successful resistance to
the exorbitant demands of the Mandarins, and it would
seem as though the latter were about to concede a portion of
their excessive impositions, and were turning their atten-
tion to more praiseworthy occupation, in the extermination
of the pirates who invest the rivers and seaboard, com-
pletely cutting off fluvial communication with the interior,
lit Canton, notwithstanding the arrival of troops to rein-
force the " Army of China," business has improved, the
Chinese displaying the utmost indifference to the military
preparations by which they are surrounded.
Tea.—Large sttlements and reduced stocks hays caused
increased firmness on the part of holders who demand
higher rates. The quantity at market is however small,
and we shall probably soon see a considerable falling off in
shipments.
Silk has advanced fully 5 dols. since our last. The fifth
crop has realised the most sanguine expectations as to
quality. Small parcels of the sixth crop have come in, but
the quality is decidedly inferior, and report speaks of a short
yield.
Exchange has advanced. The Commissariat have been
sellers at 4.10, 30 days' sight. Bank Bills, six months'
Right. are quoted at same rate, while the leading mercantile
establishments here have been sellers at 4.10 g. Indian
paper has participated in the improvement, and may be
quoted at 231 r. to 232 r. Bar silver and Sycee are much
wanted, but not to be obtained. Gold loaf; 23.20 dols. per
tael.