The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-26

BILE that shall have to add later intelligence before
our paper goes TO press.
On the 2ls,, Capt. Elliot issued a, Canton the fol-
lowing
I'm the present situation of circumstances, Her Bn
fannie Majestys Penipolentiary feels il mis- duty
recommend that the b. tsh and other foreigners now
remaining in the factories should retire from Canton
before sunset"
"CnALEs EILIoTr,
I'll M Plenipolentiary.
British Factory, 2lst May, l54l"
Even without this notice, the warlike preparations
rent that IL has become but paIpabe that the Chr
nese contemplated commencing hostties probably on
that very day IN many of the packhonses, and even
on their Roofs, guns had been planted every street
leading to the rivers edge had become masked bat
terry, and pennons and flags flying overy one Of
them; sold ers were every waere, and even IN
The Hong merchants warehouses, while teas were be-
ing weighedi party returning OH Friday from one OF
These Hongs, saw, whilst passing TO the fneign faeio-
rieS IN boat, many Of the batteries, the soldiers in
which, fJr anusements sake, pointed the guns al them
without, however noleeting them.
The whole river, from the French folly to the most
northern end u Canton, presented one continued line
OF ioftihcaiion and large number guns plant
ed on Dutch and Freuch follies. A fort had
been built al Shaming and il was known that an i'm
mense numhr OF hre-rafls had been prepared in many
creeks In different parts of the river In fact the mag
ntude OF The Chinese Preparations prove that they
were now bent on most determined resistance, and to
drive the English out OF the without much great
er loss of time, and that 10 effect this
attack on the different positions of the English was
intended.
How far the late arrangement, in providing the
Chinese Government with large sums OF money,
may have enabled them 10 prepare thus fomldably, II
would be somewhat Curious calculation 10 make
II, M Plenipoentiary will probably be able to throw
some light upon tins subject he has indeed proved
himself most generous enemy, and The Chinese have
~.
them.
Pursuant TO the above notice of Capt Elliott, all
foreign merchants then at Canton with the exception
OF two left their factories the last embarking at about
O'Clock In the afternoon and from what occurred at
ter we have little doubt that II intended to have
surprised all the foreign merchants that very night and
to have carried them of prisoners, had they escape
death at the hands ofthe Infatuated mob. They have
indeed had most grovidenl,al escape
Owing To It's being nearly calm, and to a strong ebb
tue, the schooner Aurora with several BRUSH
chants board, and III M cutter Louisa remained an
chored right opposite the Factories and it observed
that the suburbs Of Canton presented appearance of
more than usual credit. All the nnunerahle boats
which are in peaceful times the river, gaily
lighted up longer there, and the foreign fac
tories WERE with the exception oftwo dark and silent
Soon after six, H. M ship Modesto and AlgeIine
moved from their anchorage, in the Macao passage,
and anchored close TO the town as the water would
permit did this for the time to attract much
| attention.
Al little past ten, however, blaze of light in the
direction of Fatee observed, and found
to proceed from several fire RATS junks floating
down fast with The tide upon the cutter and schooner
which were in considerable danger the tide still ebb
ing, and weighing anchor would have brought them
nearer to the range Of the guns from the Company 8
garden, and Others which had by this time opened
upon them, and kept up smart fire. by which the
cutter was hit twice and the schooner
The two small vessels therefore obliged to re-
main al anchor exposed the fire from the battery
STAINING, the cutter returning the fire CALAMITY, and
forcing by her fire six large cargo boats that bore down
on her IN the wake Of the fire ships and probably
filled with soldiers to board her. to sheer off when the
steamer Nemesis, came down upon the fire ships and
| towed them out of harms way, opening at the same
time tremendous fire from her two 80 Founders. Fl,
NJ. S. Modesto, Algerine and Pilades had meanwhile
also opened their fire, and brisk cannonade ensued
maintained chiefly against the new fort at Shaming
The fire was KEEP, up during part of the night and the
cutter and schooner al last by the tide turning,
enabled TO moved out of range of the shot, into the
| Macao passage.
IL. NJ. s. Alligator and Pyades were at time,
we learn in eminent danger from the fires ships, but
the opportune arrival of the boats OF H. M. S. He
raid which towed them shore, saved them. In The
morning early of the 22d, The work of destruction at
Shaming was RECOMMENDED by III. M. S'Modese, Py-
ladies', and Algcrne, and steamer Nemesis the fort
was, after heavy cannonade, senced and destroyed,
and cigh, very fine new brass guns found in it, Mean
while number of war junks were seen issuing from
creek opposite Fatee and the steamer Nemesis went
to meet them but they, unwilling 10 have any thing
to say to formidable antagonist, retreated again
to the creek and the steamer sgan gave her assist
ance at Shaming which no sooner being perceived by
the junks than they came out second time.
This time, however, the steamer not content
with merely driving them back, but followed them into
the reek what passed there was, from the position Of
informant hid from his view but loud reports and
immense volumes Of white and black smoke rising
to the air at short intervals but too plainly told that
the work of destruction was actively going on there
la less than three hours upwards Of forty junks
SCI fire to and blown up, sight Which can have been
any thing but pleasing to Yikshon the rebel quelng
general.
The return Of the Nemesis from this successful ex-
petition, followed by the Herads aud her boats,
is described afforiing sight in the highest degree
CHEERING, and yet comical at The time The
steamer covered all with The flags and pen
dans captured from the junks; the boats crews
all afraysd in handsome mandarin dresses and caps,
and the of one at in order to be perfect in their
new costume, had each man of them a tall more sim
dangling from under their caps, which we hope
were the spols from living Chinese, who saved their
lives by leaving their tails behind The los, Of lie
in this plot SAID to have been great the CHI,
nesc having had ample time to themselves by
flight before the vessels blew up. We sorry to
have TO record one casualty on board the steamer; her
gallant commander Capt Hall was severely wound
ed in the hand by the busting of a rocket.
During the action at Shamipg, the rigging and
spars OF the Modesto were god deal cut up, and
three men wounded; we have not heard from the
other two ships. After the destruction Of Shamlng
fort the sh Us OF retired to their anchoiage the
Macao passage waiting for the squadron and forces
their way up the river.
On the 23d the whole forces naval and military,
had by the Macao passage, arrived to within four
five miles OF Canton-and even III. M. ship Bienhem
had been able in spite of her gleat draught of water,
TO proceed thus far. great many Chinese Chop
boats were seized at Whampoa by the British, and
they afforded excellent conveyance for the troops.
On the Gath Ii. M. Goth Regiment, under
mand of Lieut.. Col. Mountain, took possession again
Of the foreign factories and just in time 10
the greater part of them from destruction--dr
from thence mob of soldiers and thieves that had be-
gun carrying away whatever they could. They were