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


and found ia the negnborhood pacards posted
by the Imperast Authorities the effect that the Eng
sh had promised all possible aid in putting down the
insurgents, SC. These he brought away with him, and
showed to Sir GEoRaE BosHAM, who Immediately resoly-
ed on visiting Nankin with the view of dsabusing the
insurgents Of the impression created by these documents
He started from Shanghai the 22d April in her H. b.
NJ steam fgate Hermes and assembled the great river
Yany kang Nankin Tho Friend Of China of May
18th highly interesting account Of the trip by
one Of the English officers board from which we take
| the following
Trip Of II. b. H. Steam Ffgate Hermes to Nan
| kill-Intereteo Nth the Recolutioaists.
The description Of the trip is in the form of journal
April 22i, 23d 24th and 25th employed in getting
into the Great River The frgae grounded several times
| but succeeded each time in getting off.
On the Goth, at A. NJ, passed the Taoutae's feet
Imperial all at anchor consisting Of two schooners
(Dewan" and Boxer, eight Portuguese lorchas and
other craft all snugly protected with hides and
fishing nets TO prevent being boarded. At 10 hove
place called Tautoo, about two miles below Silver
Island, while Mr. Meadows and Mr. Reynolds went on
shore have interview with the rebel chiefs but as
certaaed that they had yet been there Proceeded
toward Silver Island abreast Of which the Hermes an
chored while the above gentlemen landed for the
purpose.
AT Tautoo learned from the few priests remaining that
party Of the rebels had left the place only three days
before after having destroyed all the idols &c. throwing
Not finding any rebels there, proceeded lin our Chi
boats) to junks lying of the hill which over
looks The Ely out found only Two q II
when perceivng the steamer following, we remained
alongside until she came up. Mr. Meadows then went
on board and told the captain that II lie continued to fol-
low closely after the boat it would endanger lives
While this going on the fort re upon u.s. and in
sort time it nothing but firing all around several
large shot falling about the steamer Matters thus as
| sumed an unpleasant appearance
Sir George thought it best sendl letter shore by
junks boat but while writing it he Taoutaes feet
headed by the Chinese Admiral in lorcha hove in
sight and they neared th stockades, opened
fire, and in less than half hour the
vessels engaged with the batteries the south side
Of the river making it appear the rebels that her Ma
estys steamer had actually led in the Taoutaes feet
in fact the latter thought had up for that pur
pose, and took advantage of it. Had it not been that
the shot from the rebels falling thick and fast
around the Hermes, would have been interesting to
remain.
Wishing to avoid any being posted, the steamer
moved onward and while passing the unks guarding the
grand canal receiveda small voey Some of the shot
struck the hull and Sir George lodging to the
eeward side of the manmast to avoid the balls which
whstling heads. One junk with one gun,
twelve FOUNDER, and worked by three very cooly
followed us, dischargng round and grape fast he
could load After the Tartar feet had engaged the south
batteries for about hour they moved over to the en-
trance OF the grand CANAL where we left them hard at It,
We heard the reports up to P NJ. On our way up we
took up boat with two men hoisted her up and treat
fire raft; at 7. NJ. anchored
At daylight, 2Ith proceeaed onward, and all the way
from this to Nankn the river strewn with spars
floating down the stream. At 10 AN in sight OF the
city On approach to the town batteries the rebels
opened FIRE upon u.s. and messengers 1.-THE
two brought up) reached the shore the fire ceased
simultaneously, and you could along the stockades
soldiers waving their hands to desst The steamer an
chored, and shortly after visited by some petty
officers who, in being allowed board the ships were
much pleased and delighted to fud had not come to
E0h+o lad hat, n,ax
in the exuberance of his delight took off Sir Gs hat to
look at his hair and replacing nearly forced II over
his eyes 1t most ludierous scene-Sr G. enjoying
it much and taking it all in good part Finding the
people friendly, jumped into of their boats and
was the first in the rebel camp They behaved very
kindly to me, and my refusing to allow Of the in
ferors to look through my he attempted to do
with some force, and, fearing quarrel might ensue
took shelter in the commander of the forts tent who
called brother, and shortly after he and were walks
ing arm in arm together down to the beach.
Meadows went shore and had long interview with
the Secretary of State and the Prince of the North Who
his approach, demanded of him to go on his knees
when coming his presence but NJ. peremptorily
fused to do explaining to them it not the custom
of Engshmen. They did not insist upon it, and soon be-
very friendly. Amongst other questions they ask
ed him to repeat the commandments which pleased
them much He left them in good terms the Secretary
of State promising TO off to the steamer the next
day. Ia the time the decks Of the Hermes were
crowded with vsters and having 10 shift berth fur
Their up, the rebels assisted to weigh the anchor. be-
eye at the interview with the head men they quite
satisfied that the had nothing to do with the
Ching Keang affair. At sunset the decks cleared,
and thus ended the first interview with the subjects at
Tae Ping Wang.
2Sth Hundreds Of rebels visiting the steamer; in fact
constant stream Of boats flying between the ship and
the shore At visited by the Secretary of State
in his boat, preceded by smaller one having six must
clans in her. who played in the China spirit ItYas
this day arranged that Sir George and suite should land
the following day al 10 to meet the chiefs request
was made that the streets should be cleared Of follow
ers, &c.
You would hardly credit the destruction and waste of
property When boat junk raft gets adrit from the
rebel side Of the river they do attempt to bring it
back but to prevent it from getting into the hands Of the
Imperialsts they set FIRE to it, This evening had TO get
under weigh to clear large raft fire. which down
with the stream it dark night, and this with Sc
verai unks on re gave grand and awful effect to sur
rounding objects
2eh Every the ptoe of expectation Of getting
shore to see the wonders of Christian brothers
/ camp; but great the displeasure manifested by all
when they learnt that Sir George had discovered that his
going to visit the chiefs would be violating the existing
treaty with China and consequently he could not 90 Off
cially However our brothers shore in earnest
for true to the time at 10 o'clock could be the Sec
rotary Of State huryng down the landing place. with
numerous and orderly retnue well provided with horses
and chairs for his excellency and suite The day
windy yet there appeared no hesitation in giving us
proper reception. They remained there until halfpas
twelve their patience doubt much exhausted and not
much accustomed TO dance attendance foreigners they
| then marched of
At the earnest request Of Meadows it was finally ar
ranged that himself Fishbourne his first lieutenant and
Mr. Woodgate should shore apologize for the APP
parent slight At one o'clock they landed, procured
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