The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-07-06

The clearest, as well as one of the latest,
accounts which we have seen of the state
of things in China, is found in the follow
ing letter from Bayard Taylor, Esq, the
corresponding editor Of the New York
Tribune:
Success Of tile Rebezs-Nankin besieged
and probably taken-Soo. Chou threat
ened, &c.
SHANGHAI, CHINA. March 90, 1858.
reached here last evening in the Uni
ted States steam frigate Susquehanna. and
avail myself of chance which offers to-
day of despatching letter to Hong Kong,
in time for the next mail thence to Eng
land.
All the rumors which mentioned in my
last letter from Hong Kong are confirmed.
The rebels have advanced upon Nankin.
as was anticipated, and that capital is. in
all probability, in their hands at this mo-
ment. 1t is quite impossible to obtain
reliable account Of their progress, as the
Chinese proclamations invariably disguise
the truth. The actions of the authorities
are so thoroughly at variance with their
public declarations. that we are compelled
TO reject the latter entirely. On the other
hand. the rumors afloat change with every
hour. | can only give you what is said
on both sides, without vouching for the
correctness of any statement, except that
Of Nankin being besieged and sorely press
ed. if not already taken.
The authorities of this place at first de-
MED that the rebels had advanced upon
the imperial city. Alterward. they admit
ted that rebel army of 5000 men was
encamped before the walls. Then they
announced victory of the imperial troops,
in which nine thousand Of the enemy were
slain Then second victory, in which
tuelre thousand were slain; and. finally,
a third victory. with a slaughter of taceniy
thousand rebels. They now privately ad
NIT that the rebel forces amount to so 600;
but the popular rumor is that they are 2oo.-
900 strong. The Taou-Ty of Shanghai
has purchased in all haste an English
schooner, to send provisions 10 the be-
|leaguered imperialists, and an American
barqus, the Science, has been chartered
by San-qua. native merchant, to carry
stores to Chin Keang-foo. near Nankin.
which is supposed to be still in possession
of the government troops. The English
consolidating, as is supposed, under the
advice of Sir George Bonham-refused to
}permit the schooner 10 be sold TO the Chi
nese authorities; palpable blunder, which
was overcome by selling her to an Ameri-
can merchant, who immedatc,y resold he;
to San qua. TIE American representa-
tives intend to preserve the strictest neu-
,rality in the matter, but the English seem
inclined to overst,p the mark, and indi.
rectly encourage the revolution. Never
) theless. the last British mail steamer from
Hong Kong. the Ganges. brought up one
hundred cannon which were Immediately
purchased by the 'raou-Ty. or his agents
, The sympathies of the foreign merchant.
here appear to be with the insurgents. who
; are everywhere popular among the ma
tives.
This popularity no doubt gives rathe
too favorable a color to the rumors which
reach US. 1t has been reported severa
times that Nankin has already fallen
lone account states that the besiegers un
dermined the walls in seven places, ant
effected an entrance into the city. The
? imperial Viceroy committed suicide in des
: pair. and all the troops fell into the hand
: of the victors. Another report is that th'
f imperial troops. sorely pressed, shut up il
] the city. without sufficient provisions. hat
Y themselves broken out into open rebellion
I while the entire fleet of transports ant
e war.iunks on the Yang-tse Kiang, convey
: ing supplies and reinforcements. had beef
t captured by the rebels. We are in hourl,
e expectation OF hearing that the great cit,
n of Soo- Chow. on the imperial canal, tn
4 capital Of the silk growing district, ha
: been invested. 500. Chow is only fifi,
d miles from this place, and the consequence
e of its capture would probably be marc
: htherward. The inhabitants of the cit,
are in the greatest alarm, and all business
y except the mere local commerce in tn
necessaries of life, is at an end. Tn
y principal merchants have removed an,
d secreted their money and stores, and tn
) province. which is very populous. will sool
e feel keenly the cessation of the trade. il
:, which depends the very existence of thou
y sands of the laboring poor.
/, However, the course Of the rebels. wher
u ever they have been victorious, has hither
to been most polite and humane. Th
y people have not been disturbed in thei
e employments. private property has beei
!. respected. and the internal commerce in
S terfered with aslitlle as possible. Onl
e against the Tartar -mandarins and thei
!. defenders haye the insurgents adopted
+ senguinary course. 1t is rumored that,
successful. they will observe a most libera
S policy towards foreigners, but this ca
o hardly be more than surmise. Anothe
g report says that the leader. Ting-Tuk
: Whang, has some knowledge OF English
r 1t is not doubted but that two OF als gen
s1Derals must have been pupils of the lat
d Missionary Gutzlaff-as is evident from
r certain expressions used in their 'religiou
d proclamation" in which they openly avo,
S the doctrines of Christianity.
In some quarters the rebels are accuse'
e Of numbering the priests, and destroying
: the ancestral tombs and temples Of tn
r Chinese This is believed to be incorrcct
! except in one or two instances, where the
o have done so in retaliation for similar Out
:. RACES on the part of the imperial com
d manders. 1t is certain, however, that the