The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-02
Correspondence Of the ~ " Commercial Aduerhsr.
Chapter OF Items from China.

CANTos Nov. 81, ls49.
During the past month the subject OF special mo-
ment, as regards the great commercial interests OF
the East bias been the total humiliation Of Shap ng
tsais piratica fleet, the particulars OF which have
transpircd through the official report OF Com
mandcr Hay to the English admiral From per-
| sonal acquaintance with Commander Hay we had
| formed high estimate of his qualities edu-
Gated gentleman. Though young, in the skill and
| Judgment manifested in conducting this expedi-
lion, in his indomitablc perseverance in naviga-
tng waters on AN unsurveyed and dangerous
coast, in his successful pursuit OF the pirates amid
shoals and unseen dangers, and in his dauntiess
courage on every occasion, we see the noble
qualities Of the good officer, and predict for him
eininence and distinction in his country's ser
vice. In his official report bearing date Nov. LIST,
he says: Fifty eight piratical vessels, mount
ing about 200 guns, and with crews Of 900 men,
have been totally destroyed by fire, and without the
loss of one life of the officers and men under my
orders" He had under his command the brig Co
lumbne and two steamers, the Fury and Phlege-
thon, with party of men and officers from H. M.
ship Hastings. He found that the pirates had made
fearful desolation along the coast, plundering and
destroying towns, numbering men, carrying away
women, and keeping them till redeemed by money,
or reserving them for more wretched fate, the
qualification of their own lusts 1t Is matter OF re-
greet that Shap tsai escaped with 400 men. The
correspondence between ii. +. Gov Bonham. OF
Hong Kong, and Seu, the imperial commissioners, is
a curiosity in its way. Gov Bonham alludes to the
destruction of number of piratical junks, and ex-
presses his Willingness to cooperate with the Chi
authorities in the determination of the hosts Of
pirates that infest the Chinese Seu, in his usual
non-commttal style, responds, that he too has been
active in the destruction Of pirates but proposes no
Co operation. In his report to the Imperial Court
at Pekng he will undoubtedly take all the glory to
himself
As yet there has been satisfactory adjustment
of the difficulties existing between the Portuguese
and Chinese. Seu still retains the head and hand
of Gov Amaral. The body, learn, is kept in one
of the churches nj Macao auyaitipp hurial an the
delivery Of the head and hand. fear this will not
be at present.
There is rumor how well founded know not
that the Macao Senate has announced its inability
to protect Macao without foreign aid and that
the French will hold out inducements to Portugal
| to cede to them their right to the peninsula can
not conceive that Macao can be rendered CONNER
cially valuable TO France, or important except as
military and naval station. The inconsiderable
ness of the French trade with China would not seem
TO justify so large an expenditure as would be an
nualy required to keep up colonial establishment,
civil and military, at Macao. So far as can see,
as Hong Kong is a free port, they, in common with
Americans, can avail themselves of all the COM
mercal advantages which such military station
can Afford without the enormous expense which
weighs so heavily upon. the English Government.
Even Hong Kong can never, of itself, become a
place OF great commercial importance, or make any
adequate returns for the immense sums of money
there expended. Chinese gentlemen of wealth
will not settle there, and be subject TO English au
thority.
Since the April affair, the friendly relations be-
tween the English and Chinese seem undsturbed.
The green tea sales of the season have just COM
menced few chops only have been purchased.
Prices lower than last year. number Of ships
will sail for New York soon
The "Carrington'' brought out the several parts
of steamboat for r. B. Forbes, esq, of Boston,
which ixorkmen are now putting together at the
ship-yard at Whampoa. II is built after the model
of the North river boats. At the same place there
is in process of construction floating bethel for
seanen.