Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-05

Ooth vessels VIII Immediately proceed 10 JON tue
Commodore. The following interesting notice oi
a visit made TO the island of Bonian we extract
from the North China Herald of the 9th inst
Information has reached us privately, that while
the United States fleet were in the neighborhood
of Napican, (Napkiang p the Susquehanna and
Saratoga went on cruise eastward, and touched
at several beautiful islands, where they distributed
live stock. They also touched at an island named
Bonian. To their surprise they discovered few
European residents, consisting OF English, Scotch,
Irish, and Spanish, who had left whalers and
tabished themselves there. Amongst them are
about eleven women. The governor of the island
is Scotchman. He claims the island as his own,
and has been settled there about twenty years.
He has family of several children, one Of whom
was drowned few days before the Susquehanna
touched there, in endeavoring 10 cross the bar.
The Commodore has made purchase OF a
piece of land containing about ten acres, for fifty
dollars. II is in good situation on one of the
best sites Of the harbor, and is intended for gov
eminent coal depot. The island is mountainous,
and the harbor excellent, having from eighteen 10
twenty fathoms of water al the anchorage. Shell
fish, such Holsters and crayfsh, abound; on
land plenty of wild goats are TO be found. Plums,
bananas, plantans, and other varieties OF fruit are
abundant on the island.
The Russian frigate Callus, and Russian brig
of-war Immediately followed the American squad
ron.
India.-The news from India is of little interest
Bombay dates were to July Both, Calcutta, Au-
gust 5th
In politics all was quiet. Table turning was
turning the heads and hats of the Anglo-lndians.
The Burmese war, although announced 10 be over,
was considered in India as little more than sus-
pension of the difficulty As usual, the tribes OF
the northern frontier of India were troublesome.
China.--The governor of Shanghai had organ
lied a fleet in Canton with which TO attempt the
recovery of the mouths of the Grand canal. Latest
advces say the attempt was made, buttotally with
out success. Annoy was in state of much alarm.
An imperialist force, 900 strong, having assem-
bed under arms. at Tong-way, near Annoy, with the
intention TO attack the city on June 18th. British
counts say that the rebels were very much pressed
for funds, and, besides prohibiting the conveyance
OFFICE to any of the neighboring towns, had com
menced 10 extort sums of money, from those re-
ported TO be wealthy. 1t was said that the alarm
and discomfort caused by these proceedings on
the part of the insurgents, added to their dstrust
of each other rendered the opportunity favora-
BILE one for the mperalists to attempt the reduc-
ton of the city
The chief of the insurgents in possession of
Annoy issues his manifestoes as generassimo
of the army of the restored dynasty of Min" and,
the Frlena Of CHINA says, IT is confidently stated
Tien-Teh is not fabulous personage, but that he
only waits for the revolution to extend to come
forward and take his position sovereign of the
empire.
Accounts from Ningpo extend to June Is. All
quiet there, but alarm was felt respecting in
surrectionary movements in the neghborhood.
Opium vessels, which heretofore had never been
allowed to go UP to the city, were now encour-
aged by the Mandarins to approach, and the pre-
sent state of things rendered opium veritably a
free article of commerce. AT Shanghai, June 9,
reports stated, on the contrary, that account of
the unsettled state of the interior and consequent
difficulty of transit, the demand and price OF
opium were seriously diminishing.
The Taoutae of Shanghai offering all the
inducements he could TO man his feet by deser-
.t.,~ A L.N.l
enticed away nine of the crew OF the British war
steamer Salamander in consequence of which the
commander of the British war steamer Hermes
had notified the Taoutae that his fleet, now lying
near n-Kiang would not be allowed TO leave
until these men were given up. Interpreter
Meadows had been permitted by the Taoutae to
go up the Iang-tse-kiang river, in search of de-
serters, and reports that the greatest apathy
seemed to prevail in the imperial camp, while the
insurgents, under General Loo, were all activity
and enthusiasm.
Latest advces from Shanghai, July 18th, state
that the insurgents Were marching a large force TO
the west and north, and had taken two CT
ties in those directions II was concluded that it
was their intention at once to proceed TO Pekin,
but there was much uncertainty in all reports as
to their movements. No important advantages
had been recently gained by either party.
From Foochow, advces of June Goth, reported
the city in state of riot and confusion and mar
tial law strictly enforced. mob having collect
ed to plumber the banks the Tartar troops were
called out, and several of the ringleaders be-
headed on the spot. This restored quietness, and
a proclamation subsequently issued, giving
liberty to kill any person found committing theft.
At Ien-ping-fou there was fighting going on.
All communication was stopped, and IL was diff
cult TO arrive at the truth of the flying reports.
Two ships, chartered by an eminent American
firm We're lying at anchor below the city of Foo
chow, waiting for teas from the interior, but the
troubles had hitherto prevented any arriving.
AT Canton there had been fewer reports than
usual during the month respecting the insurrec-
ton The city and vicinity continued quiet, but
parties of insurgents were known 10 be in the
neighborhood. The capture of Nanchang, the
principal city in the Kiangsi province, is con-
frmed. The main body of the insurgents were
moving southwark, and would pass through the
principal tea districts. This southerly movement
would indicate an approach on Canton. Trade at
Canton was quite depressed; money extremely
scarce and exchange high There had been much
activity in shipments of tea at advanced rates
since the arrival of the mail of 9th May, but the
supply from the interior was sackening. At
Shanghae goods We're unsaleable; the stocks and
arrivals due exceeded years supply. Several Of
the British merchants of Shanghai had presented a
memorial to the Plenpotentiary and Superntend-
ent of Trade to suspend the payment of duties
during these troubled times The petition was
refused. The Plenipotentiary, Sir George Bon
ham, gives the petitioners this significant hint
" In closing this communications his Excellency
would remind you that he is not aware that the
citizens of America, or the subjects of any other
foreign State, have obtained any particular aid to
meet the difficulties OF which you complain"
BY orders of Hon. Mr.. Marshall, u S. Commits
sioner, the American flag had been hauled down at
Annoy, there being no representative there of the
existing government of China.
New ORLEANS, Sept. 27-The Picaynne is in re-
ceipt Of advces from the city of Mexico to the
18th instant.
A report had reached the city of the breaking
out of hostilities in the Mesilla Valley between
the U. S. troops and the Mexican forces.
Gen, Trias had also received information that a
large body of American troops were concentrating
the Rio Grande, and that they would unite with
those already in the valley, in an attempt to
seize il.
These reports had created the most intense cx-
element, which, at the latest accounts, had got TO
be of so serious character that the Supreme
government had thought proper to demand from
General Gadsden, the American minister, an i'm
mediate explanation of the L. s. government in
sending out additional forces 10 the Mesilla Valley
and vicinity.