Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-03-23

row of cannon. Upon such accounts and surmises
the commissioner is said to have protested in or
dering the attack on the Voltage and Hyacinh, and
be quite certain of success sent the great number
of iunks we have mentioned, some Of which mount
ted many sixteen guns, and none, we believe,
less than eight their crews may have numbered be-
tween 100 and 200 men each. Ii was evidently their
intention TO have surrounded the two ships, and TO
have driven fire ships against them whilst they were
at anchor OF the junks ii is said being filled
with combustibles for that purpose
An American ship the Morea, passed through the
Bogues during the engagement, and was spectator at
the fight; her passenger represents the destruction
Of the Chinese notilla complete. The firing had
brought forth immense numbers of the inhabitants to
the seashore and the batlements of the Bogue forts
were filled with spectators. The engagement took
place Just opposite the small fort at the southern
most point of Anson's bay
Ii is difficult TO foresee how this action may affect
the disposition of the Chinese towards an arrange
ment with the English; we almost believe that they
will become more tractabe.
An account was received from Canton yesterday
that the general trade had been stopped No parti-
culars ofthc of this new step of the Chinese
have vet reached us, but think il probable that
the Chinese have had recourse to II TO preveat the
English trade being carried on under American and
other flags. The report Of the stoppage, however,
requires further confirmation.
Several batteries have lately been erected shore
Hong kong by the Chinese enough for the guns
TO reach the shipping, and whence several shot have
already been fired the ships and returned by them,
gentlemen went shore, we believe on Sunday last,
to walk. but were attacked by number OF armed
Chinese, who attempted To make them prisoners.
The gentlemen fortunately succeeded IN reaching
their boat not however without hard struggle, and
one of them received severe cut with spear on the
head. Itwas in contemplation on the day followin-
send large party shore TO drive away the Chi
nesc and destroy their brcatsworks, but we do not
hear that any thing was effected.
II was expected that the English ships ofwar would
hav We destroyed the junks collected at kowloon and
the fort there but yet nothing has been DONE and
we hear on the contrary, that Capt smith has sent
notice to the Commanders Of merchant ships that the
VoIags and HyacinM were about to proceed TO Tong
koo BAY whittier they invited to follow IL they
wish TO avail themselves Of the protection Of the men
ofwar.
ASorurR ArrAcK on rHr fBRrrIs H.-On the
night Of Tuesday, Nov. IL, and Wednesday, Nov. IL,
the Chinese opened their batteries the shipping
at Hongkong. The firing began at about half an
hour after midnight, and was kept up without inter
mission until about three o'clock in the morning,
when IL ceased but recommended at about four, and
was kept up until daylight, without however doing
the slightest damage, not single ball having hat any
Of the ships though Of the shot were heard TO
pass over the vessels nearest the land. Had their
Are been well directed, they mi ght have done much
mischief IL being perfectly calm at the time, and the
ships consequently unable to move out Of the range
Of the guns. At daylight soldiers were seen the
shore removing in great haste, and the guns seemed
also to have been removed, nothing but the hastily
thrown up breatworks remaining. No attempt was
made from the shipping, though the Hyacnth
AZ Hongkong to land and destroy the forts and bat
tcrics and the feet remained al anchor all that day
and the next night. the weather continuing calm,
but Thursday the greatest part set sail for Tong
kos bay and were the next day followed by the
remainder, where they all now anchored. This
removal from Hongk ong, though IL will no doubt be
represented by the Chinese as fight from their
cannon had been previously determined on, in con-
sequence Of circulars sent by Capt. Smith, Of II. NJ.
= Voltage, that only at Tungkoo would the merchant
ships henceorward enjoy the protection Of the ships
of war Hongkong is described by the captains OF
the merchant fleet as a much better anchorage, and
a representation TO allow the fleet to remain there,
signed by IS masters Of ships, was addressed To
Capt. Smith. and also, believe. To Capt Elliott,
but without effect several merchants did the same
with like result The objection to the anchorage
at Tungkoo bay arises, we hear, from the strong
tides which prevail there, which render all comnu-
nicaton between the shipping extremely difficult.
and from its open situation, which may render an
attempt on the part of the Chinese Of firing the fleet
more successful than at Hongkong, where there is
but slight current. We know not for what reason
Capt Smith would not listen 20 the rcpresentatio
made to him except IL be. that he has, as we are
told, orders from Admiral Maitland TO protect the
fleet at Tungk oo- Canton Press, Nor. 10.
On Tuesdav last, n. VI. s. volaye anchored in the
roads and IN the evening Captains Elliott and Smith
called on the Governor &c Macao. and soon after
turned 10 the ship II is sadthat the Commissioner
has addressed a most furious chop TO Capt Elliott
holding him Cant Smith, and Mr.. Morrison, per
sonally res ponsble for what happened at Chuenpee
A chop has been published in Canton which also
contains this, but says that the Commissioner knows