The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-19
China.
SHANGHAI. China. Jan. 90. I,

SHANGHAI, China. Jan. 30, 1853.
The rebellion, which has become most for
mdahlc affair 10 this government is constantly
gaining ground, and is the aIl-absorbing topic OF
discussion. both among the foreign residents aud
The natives. The rebel troops are reported 10 be
bur sixty miles from Nankin, and Tien Tuh,
Their chief, has sent message TO the authorities
OF that city, announcing his intention 10 advance
upon 1t. and demanding It's capitula,ion, which
they have declined They are foriilying i, to the
best Of their ability NankIn was The capital of
the empire before the downfall of the Ming dy-
nasty, aud lien Tub has declared his determine IA
ion to rc,nstaie it in its former position. He has
also issued notice that he will be there the 6rst
day Of the Chinese New Year, which will be on
February sth, 10 worship At the tomb of bis impe-
rial ancestors, near that city. Ills progress has
interrupted nearly all the tlade west and south Of
fuchan and Nanhin, and this has so materially
effected The markets here that business has been
Tor month past, quite Al stand still Money
l., IN consequence, more difficult 10 be obtained
the rates Of exchange more disastrous, ard the
prices OF foreign imports lower than have been
known since the opening Of this port TO foreign
commerce. Another reason has been assigned
To account IN part for Tbs s,agnaton of lrade and
that ia, the scarcity of wafer In the canals in the
interior, so that boats with merchandise can ply
IN neither direction. Then the Chinese New
ear Is just al hand when al business with The
natives Is suspended for few weeks Better
times are confidently anticipated when the an
nua' holiday season has passed.
HE rumors with reference TO the numbers of
the rebel force are varInus and conflicting. We
have heard estimates from 80, 900 TO 100 ,Oo0.--
Suhce II 10 say that they so brave and nu-
mcfoas that their progress has not been checked
III an Instance, nor have they been defeated, as
Ear as we have been abe To learn. in any single
engagement, by the government troops. ne lat
ter are remarkably inefficient, even when there
Is no great inequality in point Of numbers.
The mass Of the population are Us indifferent TO
change of government, or a change OF rulers, as
the French. And they would give themselves no
unolsiness al the prospect Of Ten ruh becoulng
Their Emperor, If they were assured their own
lives and property would be secured TO them
Indeed, they ARE s, ground 10 The earth by OPP
PTess.ve taxation, and by the sNaciions Of man
darins, pubic officers, that many OF them think
no change could be for the worse. This new as
pIran' 10 the Dragon throne. promises reform in
all these abuses In advancing hIs claims, he h :
one advantage IN the minds Of The people -he is a
neal descendant Of III native Chinese Emperors
who htId the throne before the Tartar conquest
This fact gives huu some Importance, as an midi
vidual, IN estiml,i1n OF the .'hundred names -
for they often rcc1r with as much affection and
entha iasm as a Chinaman can feel, to The gories
OF the ancient regime uader the laws of Hun
The ent OF these things Is not yet. - Galeaa Ad-
ver;iser.