New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-17

U. s SHIP GosroN, Macao ROADS, June 25 1912.
DEAR SIR Dur negotiations having been
brought to a close, it is generally supposed that
we shall sail hence in the course Of few days,
probably for the Ncrthward. We are at present
detained by the i'll health on board the two ships,
and the want of funds-recent intelligence from
America having had tendency to impair the
credit of our Government. Our Bills have been
for some TINE in the market and are yet believe,
unsold Merchants Bills are selling at Is. Sd to
the dollar; but English capitalists auntingly offer
10 take those drawn on the y. S. Government at
ST or 7 shillings the dollar. The number of sick
in the squadron is unusually large The sick lisr
on board the Constellation contained few days
since, "A this morning, 50 names The number
on board this ship was, this morning, 80-mosty
intermittent fevcrs The result of our negotiations
with the Chinese has been highly satisfactory ex-
cept to q few interested persons. The Chinese
manifested willingness to make all reasonable
explanation, apology and indemnity. The pecun-
iary losses of the sufferers amounted according to
their own estimates, to $1,000. Thi, amount
the Commodore presented as claim but the
Chinese, for the better satisfaction of all, allowed
$4,000, intending $4,000 as present to the dis
satisfied The Commodore was of opinion-not-
wthsanding the wishes of such Americans as
might have expected 10 receive a share Of the
smart money and Of Englishmen or others who,
having exacted large sums themselves hoped for
his countenance-that questions of attended ma
ional dignity Dug ht not 10 be made matter for
pecuniary indemnify
La the case Of the young man. Sherry, the Chi
pese have done all that can be expected. Tho
Commodore did not feel authorised to set value
up.n the life Of an American citizen; but it is
generally understood that the Hong Merchants
intend to ship present of considerable value to
nj oft of
their coincidence.
Our apparently amicablc relations with the Chi
nese and the visits of the High Admiral, lac
Tuck, and subsequently other Mandarins Of rank
gave rise to rumors that we were teaching the
Chinese the arts of war, gunnery, the construction
of Notifications, Sc 1t is true that they were
allowed TO examine whatever they chose but we
cannot wherein we can be accused of any i'm
propriety in according to the Chinese the same
courtesies which it affords us pleasure to show to
officers of similar rank in the British service,
Whenever they give opportunity. The Chi
nese arc making efforts to supply themselves with
foreign arms. Not long since they procured. and
have now in their possession, the armament of u
French Frigac, wrecked at Manila In one Of
their workshops at Canton they are constructing
guu.carriages, upon the most approved principles,
capable of being trained in all directions. Their
forts, however, are of faulty construction, appar-
emily defenceless in the rear, the wall of INSULT
Gent thickness, and without re-entering right an
giles and trenches: at least, this is the case with
the five below Canton. The city is, however,
sufficiently protected from attack by water by
any vessel of considerable size, the distractions
sunk in the river. | am informed by an English
officer that an attempt on Pekn is contemplated
Perhaps, also, on Nankin, the former capital OF
China abreast OF which, contrary to an opionon
Il lar chi lay
Ningpo has been evacuated by the greater part,
il not all Her Maje.ty's forces, by the orders of
Sir Hugh Cough, and contrary, it is said, to the
wishes OF Sir Henry Pottinger, the Plenipotentary,
between whom and the military commanders there
seems to be now some difference of opinion. Sir
Henry PotingeI has been anxious TO proceed ut
once to active operations, while Sir Hugh has
been disposed to wait for the arrival of the rein
locements.
Her Maiesty's forces recently had somewhat
warm reception at Il small place above Chusan.
The first report of the affair, credited at the time,
was that the troops were surprised while plunder-
Ing a jos House or Temple, and IL killed and 81
wounded. But sir Hugh Coughs published state
ment mentions seven killed including Colonel
Tomlinson and one Captain. 1t was reported q
week or two SINCE that the Chinese Emperor had,
according to his usual custom, though somewhat
earlier, retired from Pekin to hiS summer resi-
dence in Tartary. Ifse he is likely to thwart for
time, at least, the avowed wish of Her MaJesty's
officers to obtain access to his person. The credi-
bity Of the report has been questioned on the
ground that public sentiment would not endure
such step while his capitol is menaced by a for
cign foe. The British forces already large,
bat should the present season be allowed to pass
without some decisive action, the final result may
well be considered doubtful. 1t is quite possible
that many of the improvements which are beng
introduced here, are unknown to the north On
The other hand, the northern troops are confessed
ignore warlike, and from her proximity to Illus
sia, may have learned something of European
tactics.
The Chinese manifest great dread of falling
into the hands Of the English barbarians. Net long
since The troops found or entering captured vii
LACE, the dwellings of the Chinese filled with the
dead bodies of their women and children; Chinese
mothers having first despatched their children and
then strangled themselves rather than endure the
violence of ruthless soidiery. Doubtless exas-
peraicd accounts of the indecencies committed at
the taking of Canton, have been circulated in eve
~ part of the Empire II this may be taken as an
index of the of feeling in other parts OF Chi
ma, the English may expect pretty determined
resistance when they attempt to march into the In
terror.
It's difficult, to estimate tho Chinese force from
the returns of the inferior Mandarins, who often
draw for the subsistence and pay Of troops that
have only a nominal existence. T.
BEAUTIES OF THE RussIAN CLIMATE AT ST.
PErERssuRG.-At % or "a degrees constant
rounds are made during the night TO prevent the
police and sen,ines falling asleep on their posts.
Should the cold bring on drowsness, and the suf.
ierer not DO able to prevent himself from Welding
"a infNnencn he mus rnriSh hn