The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-10-07

he Porte.
From the Philadelphia United States Gazette.
FOURTEEN DAYS FROM CANTON.
BY the arrival at this port of the ship Venice,
Captain Flemming, from Canton. We have IN.
formation from that city as late as the 18th Of
May. being more than fourteen days later than
our most recent information via England. The
Venice vas one Of the vessels reported as left
al China and as just approximations were en-
tertained that detention mig be experienced.
we NAV congratulate all concerned in the ship
and cargo. and in those who have returned IN
the former, upon the fortunate results.
All was quiet on the 18th Of May: though
every thing denoted convulsiou. and the signs
of the times were too significant 10 be disre-
garded, so that the few residents we're sending
their furniture and ether articles down 10 Ma
Gao as rapidly as possible. and making all due
preparations 10 follow. II is said by our intor-
mant that not more than i~enty-fonr persons
remaiped.
There can he no doubt now that the Chi
Gese feel the necessity Of taking measures to
give the English a warm reception when they
shall arrive with their offensive feet.
The old company's ship Cambridge, which
the Hong merchants some time since purehds-
ed, and presented to His ExceIlency Governor
Lin, and which continued at anchor in Mid
Channel, opposite Howqua's Fort, and below
the booms disnantled, was undergoing prepsr-
atiops for sea, by receiving her upper spars
rigging. and sails.
Aware, too, Of the importance of meeting
the British with their own weapons, the gov
eminent employed some Portuguese carpen-
iers 10 construct two small sleeps of war, or
gun vessels, without decks, and of abont twenty
four tons each, upon European models, and
placed six Founders ON their bows, and s~ires
on their srerps.
His Highness, having heard that the great
English war ships were slow 10 turn, and had
no guns on their siern., conceived the happy
thought that light vessels, such as his scram-
bling dragons or many Dared boats. might
steal up behind them, discharge their guns, and
run away again without danger. trial OF the
above named 'crecpers' was publicsly made
upon the Cambridge aud appears TO have
been successful. as contract was reported as
Immediately concluded for forty more.
IL is said, also, that under cover OF large
framed houses, the Chinese were C0nstructlng
many other vessels Of war, usry the England
vessels Within their reach az models for con-
structon, AS the Romans constructed their gal
lies after the Ca,hagenisn galley cast away up
or their coast.
An attempt had also been made a, imitation
Of a steamboat. A native pulling boat was
four floats each, and moved by two tread wheels
within but the velocity attained was not suf'
hcient without ours 10 make her manage5bie.
Scows and junks, loaded with stone, were
daily passing WhampOa on their way TO
the Bogue, TO be sunk in the channel rs soon as
On English force is known TO be of the coast.
The pagodas were again in use as signal sta
lions.
II does not appear that the opium rsde has
teen destroyed. ~ il is said upon wha, is deem
ed good authority, that more than thirty vessels
are engaged in that traffic along the coast.
The English hal two sl,oP, of war and a fri
gate at Macao and Toonkoo.
Captain Elliot and his couniryrcn remain
tranquil and unnolested at Macao. The
former had received dispatches from his gov
ernmeBi. though their nature had not trans
Pired. Probably they are account Of the
stepwhich the British government had taken,
and which hi, already been detailed in this
country though the English papers. The ar
rival Of the commissariat department at SInga-
pore was known at Macao, but nothing further
relative to any feet destined to act against
China. ordered to assemble in the Chinese
seas.
Nothing was known, though conjecture, az
might be expected, was mest busy, as TO the
warlike measures which the Brush would
adopt, or which the Chinese would think
proper TO assume as defensive: nor was any
able to tell whether Cauton or some other city
would be first assailed. II was, however, the
opinion universally. that the commencement OF
hostilnies would cause an entire stopPage OF
trade with all nations.
THE Chinese government had heard that the
,;.s sh had recently invented and used spe-
,n.,e,: amb, which was most destructive IN its
.y.,w and they Instituted inquiries a,
con,J po'n,' ~-"re they thought Information
-a- .ss missiles: bgl gould yb!aia no ,sat sat;
Of tn. etfecu of the French bornbardmsnt Of
Vera Cruz. some time since, aod supposed
;hstthe success OF the enterprise was due rather
20 the construction OF the weapon than the skill
Of the officers.