The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-01 00:00:00

CHINA.

(Prom the Mina Mail of Aug. 10.)
The melancholy state of affairs in India, with
lord Elgin's departure for Calcutta, has annihilated
all nopea if any existed, of immediate adjustment
of the Canton question, and for many months to
come matters must remain in the present unsettled
and unsatisfactory condition ; while even the little
traffic that has been springing up in Hong Kong
will probably be put a summary end to by the
blockade of the Ca ton river, which Admiral Sey-
mour has deemed it necessary, for the protection of
British interests, to proclaim, and which will
doubtless be rigidly enforced.
A-lum, the rigidly
after a confinement of six
months, has been at length liberated,--we presume
under express injunctions from the home govern-
ment.

Letters from the River describe the fleet there as
pretty healthy, though the Niger and Cruiser had
suffered somewhat from fever ; and the Esk and
Sanspareil from ophthalmia. Orders to blockade
the port were communicated to the fleet on the
evening of the 6th.

The .ransnort ships Neleus and Moresfoort have
arrived, bringing four companies of the Royal Ar-
tillery, numbering in all 520 officers and men ; and
the Admiral with the Royal Engineer, may be
hourly looked for. The Sampson is reported under
orders for Calcutta, with the Artillerymen just ar-
nred.

At Macao, some business in silk and tea bas been
',doing. The Kate Cleather is taking a full cargo of
tea for London. •
At Amoy trade was improving. Sales are reported
of cotton, yarn, shirtings, &c., at good prices. Fo-
reign rice had fallen considerably, and the native
crops promised to be plentiful. Considerable quan-
titiQs of teas had found buyers, though at highprices.
From Fuhchau the news is, that the rebels had
retreated or been dispersed—more likely the for-
mer. Trade was brisk, and large purchases had been
made of teas, amounting to about 32,000 chests and
about 47,C00 half-chests of all kinds. The Patna,
Fiory Cross, North Wind, Hanover, and Spirit of
the Age, were loading for Great Britain.
yhe North Chinctllerald announces the appre-
hension of the pirate Soeiro.
Provisions were becoming very scarce at Ningpoo
—rice was dear, wheat not to be had, and pease
only at a very high price.
The following intimation of an intention to levy
additional imposts on tea and silk has been posted
at the Custom-houses, and the foreign consuls have
had a correspondence with the Chinese authorities
on the subject, againstand appealed such an in-
crease of the export duties, but without success :
" A PROCLAMATION.
41 WANG, GRAIN INTENDANT, AND SUPERINTENDENT FOR
THE ESTABLISHING OF THE SIIANGRAE DUTIES AND
CONTRIBUTIONS ; CHA, EXPECTANT COMMISSIONER OF
FINANCES ; AND LAN, INTENDANT OF TREE SOOTUNG
AND TAE CIRCUIT, ISSUE THE FOLLOWING PERSPICUOUS
PROCLAMATION.
" Whereas I, the Grain Intendant, have received
perial commands to arrange the various contributions of
Shanghae. The Hoe-chow silks and the black and green
teas already pay in Chekeang an increased subscription,
but the subscriptions of Shangliae have been
_litherto
short. I therefore gave orders to a special officer, in
concert witb the merchants' representatives, to consult
together, for the purpose of making certain defined
increases of the subscriptions ; and then give me a reply
of tile result of their consultations.
"Besides the regulations formerly established, which
will still be acted upon, the money collected and sent to
the treasury, other contributions have now been decided
upon, which will, on the let of the 6th moon, come into
operation ; and according to the new system the contri-
butions will be collected. It is consequently proper to
issue a proclamation for guidance.
" We, therefore, issue this proclamation to you, the
silk and tea merchants, for your information. You must
all act according to the new annexed list of increased
payments ; when you again pass the Custom-house yon
mast pay the contributions according to the annexed
list ; and as soon as a considerable amount has been
gathered, it will be sent to thk treasury to help in pay-
ing the military. 'Should people dare to be disrespect.
ful, and be determined to adhere to the former system,
be obstinate and delay payment, the officers in charge,
n concert with the local authorities, will arrest and
punish them, Should the clerks and servant 3 of the