The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-11-13 00:00:00

ATTEMPT TO BURN THE BRITISH FLEET AT

CAPSINGMOON.

The delay in the issue of the Register gives us the oppor-
tunity of publishing the following account of another abortive
attempt to burn the British shipping at Capsingmoon, made
early on Tuesday morning.
The first alarm was given about 2 a.m. on Tuesday. A
noise was heard from amongst the small Chinese boats in-
shore. It appeared, on subsequent inquiry, that some man-
darin boats had got in amongst them, for the purpose of
making captures. They attacked the cutter Devil, and
wounded the Lascars on board. Immediately after distant
lights appeared in the direction of the passage of the Cap-
singmoon, called the Flood Gates ; and the commanding offi-
cer of the Danish King fired a gun and hoisted the signal
previously ordered by the senior officer of her Majesty's ships
for fire rafts ; and instantly almost the fire burst forth from
at least 15 fire boats. The appearance was very beautiful.
The wind and tide were then favourable for their course. As
they approached they blew up like some beautiful works,
what in English pyrotechnical science would be called a
flower pot. The beauties of the sight, however, did not dis-
sipate the alarm felt by those on board the ships, who were
also fearful there might be other crafty schemes in progress,
and that they might be attacked from other quarters ; con-
sequently most of the ships slipped their cables, and moved
out of danger, each more anxious than his neighbour to get
into the rear. The scene and danger caused great excite-
ment ; the night was very dark, the wind slackened, and so
many vessels being under weigh at once in a small space,
caused great confusion, and many consequently came in con-
tact, but we have not heard of any serious damage.
The boats of the squadron were actively employed towing
the rafts clear of the shipping, and anchoring others.
The junks were first turned adrift chained together two and
two ; nine of these rafts were counted, which gives eighteen
boats. But it was ascertained that some had not ignited,
and some had exploded, the wrecks being seen floating about
the bay the next morning.
On examination, the fire rafts were found to be constructed
of what had been very old fighting-boats ; what remains of
them will supply the fleet with firewood for a month. They
were full of dross, the remains of the combustible matter.
An anecdote of the gallantry and humanity of one of the
officers of the Mavis deserves recording.
The mandarins had seized upon two Chinese who were in
the habit of attending the shipping, and were conveying them
over the hills, no doubt for punishment, probably death. The
officer of the Mavis, with a party of Malay sailors, landed and
pursued them ; their muskets missedifire, but they charged
the Chinese, barrel in hand, beat them back right and left
with the butt ends, and put them to flight, released the two
prisoners, and brought them safely down to the beach. Th
interest of the scene was greatly heightened by the arrival of
her majesty's ship Alligator ; the light of the flaming rafts
guiding her to the anchorage. This apropos arrival will rather
damp the future enterprise of the subordinate Chinese naval
officers.

Our correspondent suggests that the men-of-war should
be stationed at the different entrances of the Capsingmoon,
instead of being all anchored together.
The arrival of the Brigand at Calcutta has put us in fr-
session of advices from China to the 3d July. Admiral Elliot
arrived in the Melville on the 28th June, and sailed again for
the northward on the 30th, accompanied by Capt. Elliot, who
is to act as plenipotentiary.
The following is an extract from a letter dated Macao, the
3d of July :
" It is now beyond a doubt that we intend to take and
fortify the island of Chusan, and I expect, in little more than
a month, to hear of the British flag being hoisted there.—
Captain Elliott, his secretary, and three interpreters have
gone up. I believe the blockading of the rivers has caused
a great sensation in Canton. All the Americans are prepa-
ring to leave. I do not think that the fleet will interfere in
any way with the opium vessels. Indeed, it is likely that
their operations may facilitate that trade, as the men of war
junks will be afraid to come out."

"OFF Alneno, June 23,—We arrived here yesterday;
Wellesley, Cruiser, Algerines and transports with 26th
Queen's Regiment, head-quarters and part of the 18th Regt.
Irish (the remainder being at Singapore may be expected in a
few days), the Native Volunteers, and Madras Artillery. It
is expected the following will leave to-morrow for Chusan,—
Wellesley, Conway, Volage, Larne, Cruiser, Alligator, Alge-
rine, her Majesty's schooner Hebe, and the Hon. Company's
steam-vessels Queen, Atalanta, and Madagascar, transports
and troops. The Enterprise steamer may be looked for in a
few days from Singapore, with Mr. Maddock's, Company's
agent, on board. It is stated nothing will be done at the
Bogue until the arrival of Admiral Elliott and squadron from
England, &c. A depfit is to be formed at Chusan, probably
preparatory to an attack upon Pekin. The Larne brought
on the March overland men from the Enterprise, at Singa-
pore. The transports are kept outside and amongst the
islands, not to disturb the nerves of our old friend Lin. The
squadron and troops are in good health generally speaking,
and most anxious for some amusement on shore.
" MACAO, June 18.—Several vessels being under despatch,
we will avail ourselves of the opportunity to continue our
.usual advices.
" Business at Canton has gone on Quietly since our last,
though to a limited extent, owing to the scarcity of teas, and
to the languid state of the market for imports, caused by the
general belief of the Chinese that there was no truth in the
report of hostilities being about to take place. The late ar-
rival, however, of Her Majesty's ship Alligator and steamer
Madagascar, with accounts of the fleet having left Singapore,
will,
no doubt, tend to remove this delusion ; and we think
i b ri
oau‘gvhek
teto
a moreclose,
se , t nearlyhou all outstanding
some
Americans affairs
speakat Coafn
stillto n will
re-
maining there.

" In political matters we have no change to notice. The
time must now be close
Chineseat hand when the measures to be
adopted against the
will be developed. It is gene-
rally believed that forces will
it:ire liritir n
weretheee notnet
be molested. An attempt
go further than the Bogue
forts,
means of about 25
psthuirpeprin,;fitigut doing any injury.
junks,w as i, a t
rev! yo
sn it
oa fd we and that Canton w
Preparations are said to be in progress for repeating an at-
tack of the same description.
" The Heroine, Manilla, Mary Elizabeth, and William
Barras are the only ships loading for England, and tonnage
to considerable extent is much wanted.
" Exchange with England continues at about 5
to 4 10 at
6 months' sight.
" Captain Elliot has announced his being authorised to
draw on the government of India, and has invited tenders,
but we have not heard of any transactions. his believed his
rate will be about 218 per 100 at 30 days' sight.
" P.S. June 24, 1840.—Since writing to you on the 18th
instant, the first division of the fleet to act against China has
arrived ; but, contrary to the general hope and expectation,
has to-day departed for the north without doing anything in
this neighbourhood. The Commander-in-Chief has intimated

that the river and port of Canton will be blockaded on the
28th, to maintain which her Majesty's ships Druid, Volage,
and Hyacinth, and the steamer Madagascar, are detained
here.

" The export of tea to England since the Ist of October
last amounted to 24,126,5591 b., to which must be added about
1,500,000 lb. sent to Singapore for transhipment.
" The export of silk amounts to 2,403 bales, and a good
deal stored outside, waiting an opportunity for England."
From this last letter will be seen the whole export of teas
from Chiva for England, and, considering our present posi-
tion with the Chinese, it is hardly to be expected that any
further quantity of tea will be shipped for Great Britain for
some time to come. Should the Emperor refuse to enter
upon negociations with Admiral Elliot, it is impossible to
foresee for how long a time the trade with China may be
stopped.
We hear that the new Chinese man-of-war, Chesapeake,
late Cambridge, has been stationed at the first bar, as like-
wise a number of junks laden with granite ready for sinking
to stop up the passage. It has also been said, though we do
not believe it, that the Chesapeake has been ordered to the
Bogue to act against her Majesty's ships, should they at-
tempt entering. •We know not what her armament may be,
but with a view probably of giving her an imposing appear-
ance, she has been painted blood-red all over, whilst the
two cutters (of 25 tons each) lately built for the imperial
navy challenge respect by a coating of imperial yellow. We
understand that the vessels now at Whampoa (there were on
the 12th inst. only five American and seven Spaniards) will
probably remove to the second bar so as not to be inconve-
nienced by the blocking up of the river, should this be
deemed necessary, at least a petition to that effect has, we
are told, been presented to the Canton authorities.
There are symptoms of the Provincial Government be-
ginning to be alarmed, and several emissaries have during
the week arrived at Macao to pick up what news they can
regarding the English preparations; it is also said that the
Hong merchants are about to visit Macao in a month or two,
no doubt ordered to enter on negotiations, but we sincerely
hope that access will be denied them to the ear of her Ma-
jesty's superintendent, or to any other of her Majesty's
officers.—Bornbay Courier.