Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-20
MOVEMENTS IN CHINA.

end III would appear that OF all the parties, III va
rous parts of the empire, now in arms against the
quarters are at Nankin, and whose chiefs profess
some form of the Christian religion is by far the strong
est and most important The insurrecton which broke
out at Annoy the 18th proved to have connection
with those of the north. The chief of it Singapore
born Chinese, named Kenseng, of the Triad So
ciey which is secret society pledged against the Tar
tar dynasty. This body Of insurgents held the govern
ment Of the town for week but it consisted Of field
aborers only. who miserably clad and armed
and is breaking up by its owndissensions Adyices, is
said are constantly received of local instructions, Of
such character this, in various parts of the
Empire.
The great instruction meanwhile gathers force. No
further negotiations had been opened between its leader
and any of g the western nations" Sir GEORGE BoS-
HAMS letter to him in circulation among the Chinese
81 Shanghai and have translation of which bears
every testimony internal and external of its genuine
ness Under date of April 25th Sir George Bonham wrote
from the Hermes steamer to the rebel Emperor that he
had hoped for interview with him. He goes to
plain what is the position Of the English residents in Chi
under existing treaties The letter continues thus
But Of late we have heard that the Chinese people
have been engaged in hostites against the Manchou
people We have also heard that your Majesty has OBJ
tanned possession OF Nankin and various other reports
differing from each other Further the Manchou officers
have issued procamatons saying that they have borrow
ed number of European steamers, which gone up
the Yang -keang fight with your Majesys troops
But these all the false reports and lying statements
of the Aanchou officers. 1t has been the custom of the
British nation hitherto in every place to which they go
to trade settle, when hostiltes break in such
places mott interfere How en could lend steamers
IN China for such purpose AS to the torches hired by
the Manchou officers the European vessels bought by
them, i, the penpotentiary have nothing do with
them. We do allow British merchant vessels be
hired for any such purpose. People purchase British
merchant vessels just they purchase English piece
goods and other articles; all which it would be difficult
prevent But though cannot prevent the subjects
OF other nations purchasing British vessels, do
allow such vessels after having been sod hoist the
British flag Should any British subjects remain on board
such vessels and allow themselves TO be employed by the
Manchou officers, deem it improper, and our nation
does not protect them Now, your Majesty being at
with the Manchou the British Government does wish
to interfere with either party but British subjects have
built many dwelling houses churches and storehouses at
Shanghai, and there number of English vessels
coming and going, well anchored in the river oppo
site that city, and as your Majesty has arrived at Nankin
which is far from Shanghai and it is reported that
your Majesty intends marching army to Soochow and
Sunkeang, and subsequently to Shanghai wish preyi
ousy be made acquainted with your intentions towards
the British nation and its interests"
The following cards accompanied the above document
THos TAYLOR MEADOWS, Interpreter to the British Con-
sulate at Shanghai; T. G. FIsHpoURNE, Commander of
H. b. NJ steamer Hermes; w WooDGATE. Assistant in
the office Of H. B. NJ Superintendent, untedy send their
respects.
The North China (Shanghai) Herald Of May DIST con-
tans memorandum of an interview held by the "Com-
mee Of Cooperation Of that city the 10TH with Sir
GEO. BoSHAM the British Commissioner to China and
with Mr. MARSHALL the United States Commissioner the
object of which ask that the naval force English
French and American collected there might be with
drawn or, at least that sufficient portion of it might
remain to afford reasonable chance of protection to the
persons and property of foreigners in the city should
be attacked by the insurgents. The following is
of the interview between the Committee and
Mr.. Marshall:
s.The committee proceeded to state that as a com
mtee appointed by the foreign residents all nations
Shanghai cooperate their behalf with the civil and
naval authorities Western nations in all matters for the
defence of this settlement they begged to wait upon his
Excelency the representative Of the United States of
America express the deep with which they had
the departure of the seamfgates Susquehanna and
Mississippi and the regret with which they learned that
the only remaining ship, the sloopofwar Plymouth be-
longing to his country, expected to withdraw from
this station in short time The French steamer Cassini
also leave almost Immediately and his Exceency
the British Penpotentary had expressed his intention
of dspatchinp the steamer Hermes morning.
that they anticipated the withdrawal of the whole naval
force of all Western Powers from the port within few
days. except only the British war-steamer the Saaman-
der This arrangement Of force would leave the foreign
settlement and vast amount Of foreign property at
Shanghai without adequate protection.
:" 1t was well known that large armies occupied the
seventy miles of this place and that large fleets Of boats
float upon its waters subject to their command The city
Of Shanghai could be occupied by tire forces of either
party within very few hours and it is also infested by
numerous class who during this paralysis Of trade have
no employment, and whose propensities to crime are
quickened by their necessities There could be doubt
that thousands of loose vicious and desperate characters
we're now in Shanghai ready to swoop upon whatever
booty they could nd when the reins of discipline should
be slackened to afford for the dpay Of their cen
tiousness
The committee could not comprehend the meaning Of
the departure Of almost the whole of the naval force
which gathered TO Shanghai upon the presentation
OF the first appearance of danger when they
son to presume that danger more distant than it
was four weeks since. On the contrary il should seem
evident that the presence of the large naval force
lately congregaed here indicated consciousness Of dan
ger and determination TO resist attack its withdrawal
would operate to produce in the minds of oil, but
particularly in the minds Of the Chinese, conclusion
that the resolution to resist had been withdrawn with
the departure Of the Of resistance and that there
fore the opportunity might be seized to make the attack
successful
1.-The reaction in such case would be worse than the
dow originally warded off and the committee could not
out feel 1t would have been better for Shanghai that
preparation had been entered upon.
Under these circumstances they most respectfully
quested that his Exeeleney would take such
as might prevent the departure Of the American
sci now in port"
Mr.. MARSHALL replied to the Committee as follows
perceive plainly your necessities and concur
tirey IN your conclusions l consider the danger to
Shanghal more imminent than at any time hereto
fore because the rayng Of large force for its pro-
lection on the first appearance Of danger attracted
tenon TO Its wealth and Importance and evinced the
soctude OF western nations to preserve the interests