The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-11-08 00:00:00

CHINA.

The news from China comes down to the 28th of July,
and affords grounds for forming hopes of an approaching ter-
mination of the war there. After the arrival of the rein-
forcements, the expedition on the 13th of June entered the
Yang-tze-Kiang, the most magnificent river of China, on the
banks of which the Chinese bad erected many strong fortifi-
cations, and garrisoned them with large bodies of their best
troops. Having passed three days in making observations
and in taking soundings, which were seen and permitted by
the Chinese, the fleet at daylight on the 16th prepared for
action, and on the ships taking their stations the batteries
from the shore opened. The progress and results of this con-
flict have been officially published in the following terms

• CIRCULAR.
gratifying duty of announcing further highly im-
portant successes of her Majesty's combined forces again de-
volves on her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China.
" After the necessary delay in destroying the batteries,
magazines, foundries, barracks, and other public buildings,
as well as the ordnance, arms, and ammunition, captured at
Chapoo, the troops were re-embarked, and the expedition
finally quitted that port on the 23d of May, and arrived on
the 29th off the Rugged Islands, where it remained until the
13th of June, on which day it crossed the bar, which had
been previously surveyed and buoyed off, into the Zang-tze-
Kiang river to the point where the river is joined by the
Woosung.
"At this point the Chinese authorities had erected im-
mense lines of works to defend the entrances of both rivers,
and seem to have been so confident of their ability to repel
us, that they permitted a very close reconnaissance to be
made in two of the small steamers by their Excellencies the
Naval and Military Commanders-in-Chief on the 14th inst.;
and even cheered and encouraged the boats which were sent
in the same night to lay down buoys to guide the ships of
war to their allotted positions of attack.
" At daylight on the morning of the 16th the squadron
weighed anchor, and proceeded to take up their respective
stations, which was scarcely done when the batteries opened,
and the cannonade on both sides was extremely heavy and
unceasing for about two hours ; that of the Chinese then
began to slacken, and the seamen and marines were landed
at once, under the fire from the ships, and drove the enemy
out of the batteries before the troops could be disembarked
and formed for advancing.
" 253 guns (42 of them brass) were taken in the batteries,
most of them of heavy calibre, and upwards of 11 feet long.
The whole were mounted on pivot carriages of new and effi-
cient construction, and it was likewise observed that they
were fitted with bamboo sights.
"The casualties in the naval arm of the expedition amoun-
ted to 2 killed and 25 wounded, but the land forces had not
a man touched. It appears almost miraculous that the cas-
ualties should not have been much greater, considering how
herle
s hs.ull, The
ee
well the Chinese served their guns. The Blonde frigate had
ISoesssoofintritshellp,aartndofatlhl
etheenesmhiypsis
or
enga-
gedl4 s shot
more in
sup-
posed to have been about 80 killed, and a proportionate
number wounded.
" On the 17th of June some of the lighter vessels of the
squadron advanced up the Woosung river, and found a bat-
tery deserted, mounting 55 guns, of which 17 were brass.
" On the 19th two more batteries close to the city ofShang-
hai opened their guns on the advanced division of the light
squadron, but on reciving a couple of broadsides the Chinese
fled, and the batteries, which contained 48 guns (17 of them
brass) were instantly occupied, and the troops took posses-
sion of the city, where the public buildings were destroyed,
and the extensive government granaries given to the people.

I• s

His Efeateney the Admiral proceeded tip the river Woo-
sung with two of the small iron steamers on the 20th instant,
about 53 miles beyond the city of Shang-hai, and in the re-
connoissance two additional field-works, each mounted four
heavy guns, were taken and destroyed, bringing the total of
ordnance captured in these operations up to the astonishing
number of 364, of which 76 are of brass, and chiefly large
handsome guns ; many of the brass guns have devices show-
ing that they have been cast lately"; several of them have
Chinese characters signifying the tamer and subduer of the
barbarians,' and one particularly large one is signified by the
title of the barbarian." _ _

The Chinese high officers and troops are supposed to have
in the direction of the cities of Soochow, Wang-chow-foo,
and Mankin. The same high authorities have made another
indirect attempt to retard active operations by an avowed
wish to treat, and have also given a satisfactory proof of their
anxiety to conciliate by the release of 16 of her Majesty's
subjects (Europeans and natives of India) who had been kid-
napped ; but as the overtures were not grounded on the only
basis on which they can be listened to, they were met by an
intimation to that effect.

" God save the Queen."

" Dated on board the steam-frigate Queen, in the Yang-
tze-Kiang river (off Woosung), the 24th of June, 1849.

"HENRY POTTINGEE,
" Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary."

The name of Lieutenant Hewitt, R.M., on board the
Blonde, has been published as one of the two killed, his head
having cut off by a round shot.
The results of this victory have been remarkable. The
Mandarins in the two most fertile provinces of China were
dreadfully alarmed lest Wang-chow-Foo and Nankin should
be taken and sacked, and the mouth of the Great Canal
seized. They sent a flying express for a son or some other
relation of Howqua, the old Hong merchant at Canton, in
order to interpret between them and the British. They ex-
hibited a wish to make terms, but whether with the object of
merely gaining time, does not appear certain. The approach
of the expedition to the mouth of the Great Canal and the
dangers that threaten Nankin would, it was thought, induce
the Emperor to make an equitable arrangement, but doubts
were still entertained of his being exactly informed of the
truth. The efforts of the Chinese authorities to make resis-
tance have hitherto been very great. A. proclamation issued
by the Emperor in the beginning of June breathes the most
decided hostility to the " barbarians," but does not brag of
the valour of his generals and soldiers. This proclamation,
it ought to be remarked, is dated prior to the attack on
Shang-hai.
It is worthy of remark, that while Russia is described as
busy, not only in exciting the Chinese against the just de-
mands of Great Britain, but in assisting them with officers,
the "United States and France have sent their ships-of-war
to watch our proceedings with that anomalous race, and, as
it is openly declared, with the intention of demanding all the
advantages that we may obtain by the expenditure of so
much blood and money. The American and French frigates
have sailed from the Canton river to the northern ports of
China, which their ships were never before permitted to
enter.

LOSS OF THE WEST INDIA MAIL STEAMER ISIS.

The Medway, royal mail steamer packet, Captain Smith,
(anxiously looked for,) arrived in Mount's Bay (Penzance)
on the morning of Thursday last. She left Vera Cruz on the
15th of September, Tampico on the 18th, New Orleans
(mouth of the Mississipi) on the 23rd, and Havana on the
Ist of October, bringing all the home mails, passengers,
1,500,000 dollars, cochineal, &c. The Medway arrived at
Nassau on the 3rd of October, where she found the Isis,
another of the Company's large steamers, Captain Loney.
The Isis had touched on the reefs near Porto Rico on the
12th of September, after which she went to Turk's Island,
then took down the Jamaica mails, and at Port Royal re-
ceived all the repairs she needed, when she was surveyed and
pronounced in a safe condition to proceed to England.
She left Jamaica on the 26th of September called at Turk's
Island, where she found the Tweed, Clyde, and Larne. The
Isis exchanged mates with the Tweed, which latter went to
Jamaica, the Isis going on to Nassau, and joined the Med-
way on the 3rd of October, when both vessels started for
England, the Medway having orders to keep company with
the Isis, and not lose sight of each other during the voyage,
if possible. They, however, encountered very boisterous
weather up to the 9th, when it came on a perfect gale. By
this time it was found unsafe to remain on board the Isis any
longer ; so after severe and dangerous work, the crew, &c.
were transferred to the Medway, close at hand, all safe, with
the exception of one boy. This took place about thirty three
miles of Gibb's Hill, at noon. The Medway kept off and on
till next morning, the Isis still afloat, but the sea very high.
As soon as they could manage it, the Medway came as near
to the Isis as Prudent, when Captain Smith, Loney, and
several other officers went aboard the Isis, to examine and
see if it was possible to take her in tow; but all deemed it
dangerous to undertake it. However, Captain Smith was
unwilling to leave her, and determined to try and save her,
if possible, by taking her in tow. He found from the reck-
oning, (the weather precluding any observations,) they were
about twenty-eight miles from the southwest reefs, which
position it was thought prudent should be confirmed, as
breakers were seen a-head, by making the land (Bermuda.)
This they did about sunset, the Isis being in sight from the
mast-head. They returned to the place about where they
supposed her to be, but could find no trace of her. They,
however, remained till daylight next morning, (10 of Octo-
ber,) when they found all the light articles floating about,
sufficient proof of her having foundered during the night.
The Medway went into Barmuda, where she coaled. She
sailed again on the 13th of October, and after a most tem-
pestuous passage reached Fayal on the 25th, as the Belgium
steamer British Queen was leaving for England. The Med-
way left Fayal about twenty-six hours after the British
Queen, but she met with very stormy weather, which
obliged her to put into Mount's Bay.
On the 24th of September the Medway saw the Solway on
her way to the mouth of the Missiisipi. So the report of
that vessel's loss in the Gulf of Mexico has arisen from the
account of the loss of the Isis, and the fact of the Solway
having met a violent hurricane on the 7th of September in
the Gulf.

The Thames got out from England to Granada, after a fine
passage of nineteen days, on the 22nd of September, when
the Tweed received from her the out. mails and went on to
Turk's Islawd, exchanging routes with the Isis, and went on
to Jamaica, the Isis coming in to Nassau. The Clyde and
Larne are also in Turk's Island. The Lee sailed for Belize
(Honduras) with mails on the 27th of September.

Monte Video papers of the 20th of August have arrived.
Rivera had, according to these, marched on the 17th from his
encampment, with a force of 1,200 men. The news during
the week from the army operations in Entre Rios is the con-
firmation of the retreat of General Urquiza before the
Uruguay array, towards the river Gualeguay. The progress
of Mr. G. J. R. Gordon on his way to Paraguay is advised
in the notice that he had crossed the river Yi on the sth of
that month. With respect to the preparations for war in the
Argentine Republic, it is stated everything promised a
formidable attack on Monte Video. It was, nevertheless,
expected that the mediation of the English and French
ministers would bring about a reconciliation without further
bloodshed on either side. The Monte Video papers appear
to be in favour of an immediate settlement of differences,
more, it would seem, from the fear of not being able to
maintain a successful opposition, than the desire to retire on
the principle of peacemakers. Nothing of interest in the
shape of commercial information is afforded by the present
arrival, but it may be gathered from some cursory remarks
made on the existing state of affairs, that the markets for
British manufactures were in the same depressed condition
as previously advised.

THE NIGER EXPEDITION.—The last wreck of the Nigea*
expedition has been extricated from the fatal river; and the
people at the Model Farm, with the relics of the property,
have been brought to Fernando Po. To the very last the
events have been such as to stamp the expedition with
rashness and cruelty ; even this supplemental expedition,
greatly reduced, and profiting by the experience of previous
disasters, suffered in proportion. Of eight or ten whites on
board, but two were not laid up in sickness, the commander
being one of the two. Again, it was a servant of the gentle-
man who warned Lord John Russell of the utter failure of
the expedition who helped to rescue the Wilberforce on re-
turning from its second voyage ; a black boy, who had lear-
ned the use of the steam-engine on board Mr. Jamieson's
trading steamer, worked the engine of the Wilberforce as it
passed the Delta. The expedition has effected some disco-
veries. .It has discovered that which was told to its projec-
tors before it sailed from England, that the slave traffic
which it was equipped to suppress in the Bight of Biafra had
already ceased there; and that the legitimate commerce
which it was to introduce had been rising and flourishing in
the Bight for 20 years. It also discovered, what was told
to its projectors before it left England, that the site chosen
for an agricultural settlement could not be approached with-
out imminent risk to the lives of Europeans. Another no—
table achievement was made, that the expedition went up the
river about two-thirds of the distance previously ascended by
merchant vessels ; and its crowning feat is, that in attempt-
ing to carry out the plans of the African Civilization Society,
by carrying up merchandise, it has for the time expelled
honest commerce—the very thing that it was to establish !
What next?—Spectator.

We regret to hear that Lord Gillies has been obliged by
ill health to tender his resignation as a judge of the Court of
Session in Scotland. The vacancy upon the bench which the
retirement of the learned lord will occasion has not, we be-
lieve, been as yet filled up ; but we have authority for stating
that Duncan Macneel, Esq., who has been appointed Lord
Advocate in the room of the late Sir William Rae, will be
succeeded in the office of Solicitor-General in Scothind by
Adam Anderson, Esq. The following appointments have
also recently taken place :—C. J. Herries, Esq., barrister-at-
law, and son of the Right Hon. John Charles Herries, will
be a Commissioner of Excise, in the room of the late Hon.
Berkeley Paget ; and Lieutenant-Colonel Berkeley Drum-
mond, of the Scots Fusilier Guards, has been selected as the
successor in the office of Groom in Waiting to her Majesty,
of General Sir William Lumley, G.C.8., who has resigned.
Sir W. Lumley had been for many years in the Royal House-
hold.—Times.
Never during the last twenty years have Irish affairs at-
tracted less notice in England—where public attention is
almost more easily excited to Irish politics than to her own—
than during the last six months. Nay, the very discords of
our Dublin contemporaries arc chiefly composed of discus-
sions on exclusively English questions, on Canadian policy,
and on the mightier thetnes of European interest—occasion-
ally relieved by polite controversies on the prices of fat oxen
and lean kine, and on the merits of this year's Ballyshannon
fair compared with last year, or by personally interesting
disquisitions on government patronage. Ireland is enjoying
repose, prosperity, and freedom from political agitation under
Lord de Grey's vice-royalty ; Dublin is once more exhibit..
ing the appearance of a metropolis of a great country ; con-
fidence is generally felt throughout the island in the honesty,
moderation, and nationality of government; extensive plans
of agricultural improvement are in course of projection and
adoption by the great landed proprietors ; grievances where
they exist are quickly redressed without reference to local
polities, party spirit, or parliamentary influence, and en-
couragement is held out—not to violence, brutality, and
seditious democracy—but to merit, public service, and per
sonal qualifications.—Herald.

COLLEGE ROBBERIES AT CAMBRIDGE.--A woman named
Ann Phipps was on Saturday charged before the Mayor of
Cambridge with the commission of several robberies of pro-
perty belonging to members of different colleges. Mr. W.
Johnson, scholar of King's College. On Thursday after-
noon he missed a writing-desk, which had been placed on a
table near the fireplace in his sitting-room. He had seen it
safe about 1 o'clock on the same day, when he locked it. It
contained two £5 notes of Mortlock's bank, and two or
three sovereigns. On the same day, about 9 o'clock in the
evening, he missed five silver teaspoons, which had been
placed in a cupboard in the sitting-room. The outer door
was unlocked. The cupboard had been broken open. The
desk produced was his property. Mr. W. S. Lewis, under-
graduate of Trinity College, stated that on Friday morning
he missed his dressing-ease ; it bad been placed on a chest
of drawers in his rooms in the college ; be had seen it safe
about half-past 1 o'clock the day before. The case produced
was his property. It had been forced open since he missed
it. The marks on the case correspond with a screwdriver
found at the prisoner's house. Mr. Daniel Foggo, under-
graduate of St. John's, stated, that he went out on Friday,
about a quarter past 2 o'clock, and left his writing-desk
lying open on his table, with the upper flap of the desk
locked; he returned at 4 o'clock and the desk was gone.
That produced was his property. It was found in a ditch,
the upper flap having been broken open; missed also a silver
crucifix, which bad been taken from his drawers. After
some further evidence had been adduced, the prisoner was
fully committed for trial.

THEATRE-ROYAL, LIVERPOOL.

MST WEEK OF THE WINTER SEASON:

AI. ,
R. BROWNE, of the Theatre-Royal, Drury-lane;.aal.
the principal American Theatres, is engaged for a lii
mited number of nights, and will appear THIS EVENING,
(Tuesday,) the Bth instant, in the Comedy of .
WILD OATS.
Rover
To conclude with
DON GIOVANNI.

THE INFANT SAPPHO.
UNDER HER MAJESTY'S PRINCE Al.4fi ER7 S
ESPECIAL PATRONAGE.
THIS extraordinary Child will have the honcinr of giving
THREE 'MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS, at the
ROYAL ASSEMBLY ROOMS, Great George-stiect, on MON-
DAY, WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY EVENIiIGS, November
14th, I6th, and IStl;, at Eight o'clock, whet she will sing a
variety of Italian, English, Scotch, and Irish Melodies,
including several of her own Compositions. Between the
songs of the Sappho, Mr. VINNING will perform some of
Mori's Pieces on the VIOLIN, accompanied by Miss AMELIA_
VINNING on the PIANo-FoaTa. The performance will
only occupy an hour. Tickets, 3s. Gallery, 2s. Children
and Schools, half-price. Tickets to be had at the principal
Music-shops.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have no vacancy for the services of " Critico."

We have no recollection of publishing the letter to which that
of " Vindex" is a reply
Several communications are postponed, in consequence of
the details of Indian and China intelligence requiring so
much of our space.

Our Radical contemporaries are levelling wrathful diatribes
at the head of the retiring Mayor. And for what? Mr.
Leigh is accused of having been chary of his " feeds."
This is the head and front of his offending. Perhaps we
are interfering unnecessarily with the subject; but we
make bold to say, that Mr. Leigh has entertained at
dinner as many, and more persons than any Mayor since
the passing of the Municipal Reform Bill, with one excep-
tion. This may be news to some of our brethren of the
Radical press, but it is nevertheless capable of proof.