The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-04 00:00:00

SECOND EDITION.

Standard Office, Three o'clock.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM CHINA.

Owing to the early hour at which we are obliged to
go to press, we were unable to give the following in
our first edition. It appeared in the city articles of yes-
terday's morning papers. •
LONDON.—SATURDAY EVENING.

The arrival of some most important intelligence from China
this morning created the greatest interest amongst the mer-
chants and others connected with our commerce in that coun-
try. These accounts were brought by the merchant ship
Marinion, arrived off Dover, which sailed from the anchor-
age at Hong Kong, on the 27th of September, bringing
letters and papers of that date, which are later than those re-
ceived overland by 25 days.
The contents of the private letters ancrthe few newspapers
received to-day go to confirm in the strongest manner the
anticipations that the British had commenced a little war
against the Chinese authorities. It appears that on the 4th
of September an affray took place at Hong Kong between
some English and Chinese, when some of the former were
wounded and some Chinese killed, and that the illfeeling then
towards the English was rather increasing. Indeed so much
so, that, on the 2d of September, Lin, the High Commis-
sioner, and Governor of Canton, published two proclama-
tions, charging the British, of all sorts and sexes, with con-
tinuing the opium traffic on the outside of the port, and also
accusing Superintendent Eliot of neglect, in bringing to jus-
tice those who took the life of Lin Weihe, as was on record ;
ordering at the same time all the military and country people
to arm themselves, and prevent the vicious barbarians from
obtaining provisions and water.
The second proclamation charged the Chinese pilots with
treachery, in piloting the large ship of war (the Volage) through
the dangerous and shallow waters, and threatened them with
decapitation if the offence was repeated. The owners of all
fishing boats and boatmen were warned not to serve on board
any foreign ship for pay, or to 'supply them with provisions
under certain punishment.
The Canton Press says the Chinese government orders,
as to withholding supplies froth' the fleet, were! strictly en-
forced, and boards hoAbeen found "on shore at Hong Kong,
containing a warning to the natives against using the water
of several wells and springs, ;that have been poisoned to do
mischief to the Englisho, The Chinke authorities also offered
a reward for the heads of Superintendent Eliot and Captain
Smith of the Volage. ' Thebritish at Hong Kong memorial-
ised Lord Palmerston, and on the 11th Sept. Captain Smith
issued the following official notice, threatening a blockade
in six days : •• ' _ _

" The high commissioner and the governor of these pro-
vinces having publicly forbidden the regular supplies of
food for her Majesty's subjects, and having commanded the
people to tire upon and seize them whenever thty go 'on
shore to purchase provisions, and certain of her Majesty's
subjects having been actually cut off, notice is hereby given,
that it is my intention, at the requisition of the chief super-
intendent of the trade of British subjects ,in China, to esta-
blish a blockade of the river and port of Canton ; and notice

is hereby given, that none other than vessels actually within
the port, or foreign vessels entering within six days from the
date hereof, will be allowed free egress till the blockade be
declared raised.

(Signed) " H. SMITH,
" Captain of her Majesty's ship Volage."

On the same day the Superintendent Eliot issued a gene-
ral memorandum to the commanders of all British vessels, in
consequence of Governor Lin's second proclamation; wherein
he says, in order to leave no just room that her Majesty's
flag was flying in protection of persons engaged in a trade
declared to be lawless by the Government of that country, he
required the commanders of vessels not having opium on
board to repair to the Fort William within 48 hours, and
make oath to that effect, at the same time ordering all vessels
engaged in the traffic of opium should immediately depart
from. the harbour and the coast: Some negotiations having
followed with the Chinese authorities, for permitting the
English to return to Macao, &c. Captain Smith, on the lath
of September, remitted the blockade in the following official
notice : .
" The safety of certain of her Britannic Majesty's subjects,
supposed to have been cut off by the officers of the Chinese
Government, having been ascertained, and negotiations being
opened on the basis of the withdrawal of the proclamation
against the lives and liberty of her Majesty's subjects, I
hereby declare that till further notice be given, founded upon
the result of such negotiations; the blockade notified by me
on the 11th instant, will not be established, and vessels con-

tinuing, to enter the port will be permitted to pass out un-
molested. " H. SMITH."
_ . .

Some of the letters mention that the Volage had afterwards
gone up with Supsrintendent Eliot to Macao, on some fa-
vourable negotiation, which it was hoped by some would not
be interrupted by the apkarance of Adaiiral Maitland with.
warlike instructions. Beyond the following notice of the
destruction of a Spanish, :ship, we believe we have given a
general summary of all the China news.
A singular outrage was committed upon the Spanish tra-
ding ship Bilbaino, lying in the Typa, by the Chinese, on the
12th September, wherein damage to the amount of 20,000
dollars was effected. She was fired into and boarded by four
Chinese boats ; the crew jumped overboard, and, after rifling
the vessel, which was in ballast, of all her charts, instru-
ments, and other valuables, they set fire .to her. The Spa-
nish crew were sent adrift, and 19 found their way to Macao.
This ship was one regularly authorised by a Chinese license
to trade on the coast ; but the Chinese suspected the Bil-
baino of having sold the English"provisions. Commerce, of
course, was in a very stagnant state at Canton ; but the
Marmion has brought home a valuable general cargo.

LIVERPOOL MARKETS.—Tms DAY

CORN EXCHANGE.

Although the late high winds materially abated towards
the end of last week, the arrivals into this port are still \ cry
inconsiderable;as will be seen in reference to our import
note below.

From the commencement to the close of this day's mar-
ket, most kinds of Wheat continued to meet a limited de-
mand only; notwithstanding which, good samples of foreign
were steadily held at an amendment of Id. to 2d. per 70Ibs.
over the rates of Tuesday last, and fine English old Wheat
was the turn dearer; but in the value of Irish we have no
change to note, although a few parcels of the better qualities
were taken by country millers, and supported late prices.
English and foreign duty-paid Flour was in moderate re-
quest, the latter realising an advance
.of 6d. ; but in Irish
little or no business was done, and for such our quotations
remain nominal. Bonded Flour continued to meet inquiry,
and would sell readily at ; but the importers asking 315.,
which the buyers refuse to pay, very few transactions have
taken place since Friday, and none exceeding 30s. 6d. per
barrel.

Barley, Malt, Beans, and Peaso ruled in all respects nearly
:he same as last week.

Oats, although not in lively demand, were rather more
saleable to-day, and prime samples obtained a slight improve-
ment upon our last currency. Oatmeal was taken off spar-
ingly, and remained unaltered in value.

ARRIVALS OF CORN,
From the 28114 January to the 3rd February,

.840, inclusive.