The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-17
From the Boston Traueller, June IA.
China A fairs,

We have been favored with the perusa of let
ter from highly intelligent gentleman, long resi-.
dent in China, which presents a very interesting
view of the present state of things in that country
We are allowed to publish the following extract
from the letter, in which it will be seen the writer
considers the conquest of China and the overthrow
OF the Tartar dynasty, which has SO long and so
tyranncally reigned over China, we'll nigh certain;
and ne evidently does not apprehend anything but
good from such revolution. OF the effect likely
to he produced BY the expected overthrow of the
present government of China, few can estimate the
importance Not only will its influence on the vast
empire OF three hundred and eighty millions Of
people, thus brought for the first time into unre-
strlcted communication with the western nations,
and with the principles of Christianity, of free
government, and enlightened progress, be great,
but the traffic of this vast nation with the United
States and with England will be immensely in
creased And supposing the walls Of China thus
to be broken down and its distractions to internal
communication thus removed, the neighboring
empire of Japan must necessarily feel its Influence
And has not the time arrived when China and
Japan, vastly rich in their natural resources
and full of an industrious, ingenious and active
minded people, should become members of the
great family of nations?
CANTON, April 8, 1853.
The rebellion has assumed very serious aspect
and it would appear that the Tartar dynasty is
soon to be driven out of the halls and palaces of
China, to wander again over the "barren deserts
and bare mountains from whence it originally
came. Our last advices from the north are not
decisive, but the general belief ia that Nankin has
at length fallen into the hands of the rebels The
Taou-ta of Shanghai has announced that they
were in possession of the outer walls and ere this
they must have captured the heart of the city. If
= r..
his deathblow. The capture of the ancient CAPT
tai of the empire will give amazing accession
of power and means to the rebels and cause pro-
portionate dismay among the adherents of Heen-
flung, that the march of insurgents to Pekin will
probably be triumphant and successful one
Whether there will be last and terrible struggle
at that capital, remains to be seen. If the insur
gent chief should really be man of ability and
character, he should issue a proclamation from
Pekin declaring that a true Chinese has a.cended
the throne, and that he intends to govern "the
dark haired children of Ham" upon the ancient
principles and maxims of their ancestors s'to re.
vive the glorious days of Yaou and Shun," and
s'drive into the desert that tyrannical Mantchow
and his horde of rapacious officers and corrupt
magistrates who have so long oppressed the land, ~
it is probable that nearly the whole mass of the
nation will gladly recognise his authority at once.
There does not appear to be the least loyalty or
affection for the regning family in the hearts of
the people; but there may be struggle in
many places before the officers and friends of
"Heen-fung" will give up such rich inheritance
the CT eat land of China. OF course we cannot
speak with confidence to what the immediate
effects OF the great struggle will be. Many fancy
that there will be universal confusion and disor.
ganization for a long time to come, aa was the
case throughout the empire when the Tartars
gained their aacendency more than two hundred
years ago, and that thus the foreign trade of all
kinds will be nearly stopped.
The rebels profess to be friendly to foreigners,
and the foreign government sought go to manage
"a RI va nd
the new powers that beat least the navigation of
the great river Yang-tze-keang, and perhaps a
general and entire freedom oil intercourse. If go.
the foreign trade will become immense Mr.
Marshall and Sir Edward Bonham are at the north
looking on. and it is to be hoped that both will
keep entirely aloof from all kinds of interpretation
We do not consider that there is or will be any per.
sonal danger to the foreigners at the norts of
trade; and, even if there should be, we can easily
obtain aid from the shps OF war which are now
with us.
This is the present state Of affairs in this coun.
try. VI course trade In imports is almost entirely
stopped at the north, and here there is little or no
demand, as the merchants dare not venture into
the country with goods. This province has been
very quiet tor the past year. but we have a rumor
to-aay that at Woo-chang, on the frontier there
has been an instruction, and the people have de.
capitated the mandarins; and force is now being
sent from this city to punish the mob. 1t is indeed
singular that this army of insurgents should have
passed over 80 large portion of the country csp-
N"6 o'o Oity III tnelF course, and yet retaining
possession OF none or leaving Any officer to repre-
sent them. The rebele appear to go merely
with the purpose 10 take and hold the head and
hta,to OF the eountryvix, the great imperial cities
OF Nankin and Pekin-and to consider that the |
possession Of hese cities would be equivalent to the
possession OF the whole country; and we imagine |
that this will prove to be the fact,
We have not yet obtained any reliable informa
tpn As "a who the rebel chiefs or what is his real
character. II 10 very evident, however, that there
must be men Of considerable ability among them,
Tor they have conducted their military affairs with
wonderful skill and success for Chinese, and main
tanned remarkable discipline and order among
their troops.
Seu, the Imperial Commissioner, was sent short
time since, in chains, to Pekin and we have to-
day learned that he has been decapitated. and all