The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-11-02
had avoided holding any communi-

Cdt4OH Will Sdpi. EiuOtt, ana matters wore
very dubious and unsatisfactory aspect. The
local authorities, however, published proclama-
lions and sent messages through the hong mer.
chants and lIngu:sts, assuring all resident fol-
elgners of their perfect safety in Canton. On
the evening of the 2Oth, all the English resi-
dents had embarked, and only four or five A
mericans, confiding in the assurance Of the
Chinese, remained in the Factories. The same
night the Chinese commenced hoStliltles by
sending fleet of fre-boats and RATS against
the vessels of war lying near the city, bat with
out dong them any damage. This act was
avenged by the Pylades, and steamer Nemesis.
that attacked and destroyed a battery near the
Factories, and about 40 fire boats, and as ma
ny fire RATS.
On Friday, the DIST inst. all foreigners left
Canton pursuant TO the above notice of Capt.
Elliot, and went to Wampoa or retired on board
boats in the river, with the exception of Mr..
Coolidge, and Mr.. Morse, two American
merchants. Immediately on the Factories
being thus abandoned, the mob broke in, and
were with great difficulty driven back by the
sOldiery, who wanted no sharers in the plum
der.
The above named gentlemen were in great
danger of violence from the mob and soldiers,
but Mr.. Morse succeeded, by the assistance of
a mandarin TO escape 10 the river and into a
boat in which he reached Wampoa in safety,
while Mr., Coolidge, was probably with view
to his protection, carried into the city.
On the morning of the 22d an American
resident was seized by the Chinese, and taken
from his factory; at the same time that boat,
belonging to the American ship Morrison, with
three passengers and seven seamen, were cap
turcd, soon after leaving the factories for
Whampoa, and the party carried prisoners in
to the city.
From this, the time was occupied by the En-
glsh in concentrating their forces near the
city, until oath, at 4 p. N. The Hyacinth IS.
Modesto Is, Pylades IS, Nimrod IS, Columbus
10, Cruizcr I6, and Algerine 10, having taken
up their position in front of the city ard su-
burbs, opened their fire upon every offensive
point Of the Chinese, VINO returned it with con
siderable spirit at first. were soon compelled TO
desert their guns. At 5 T. N. Il body of SOL
diers, about $50, were landed al Inc foreign
factories, ia tie vicinity Of which, they found
the Americans, who had been taken prisoners
two days before, examined by the authorities,
and rclca.ed.
/ nc ntEl5 WIS CCutiHu-u until ABOUT y +. II.
when the u-urhs were on fire in several pla-
ces, and nearly all the batteries on shore in
possession Of or destroyed by the English
y hiie this was going on in front of Canton,
General Cough was landing his troops, 1860
men, at the foot Of the heights, in the rear of
the city, and on the morning of the 25th he
commenced operations; particulars ofihc days
work are not yet known further, than that
with loss of some 20 killed and wounded
four batteries were taken from the Chinese,
a nd great numbers OF their officers and soldiers
killed. the heights commanding the city taken,
and the British forces cntrenched upon then.
The loss OF the Chinese on this occasion is va
rous!v estimated at 3 to 5000, ard even as
high as O,C00 men, and they now find to their
cost and extreme disappointment that they are
unable 10 cope with European troops on shore,
&. they have before proved themselves in their
encounters with British forces anoat.
On the 2Gth, the vessels OF war were enga-
gcd in quoting and destroying the few remains
of opposition, and in the evening Mandarins
chilled on capt. Elliott with flags of truce in
aegoc!ate for the preservation of the city -
Our adv:ccs from The seat Of action and nego-
ciaion are to the morning of the 9th. when
twas said the Chinese had capitulated and Of
fafod i very large sum Of money for the ran
som Of the city, which, it was supposed, would
then be saved.