The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-18

to tie examinations which confer honors. In this
proceeding of wedding undoubtedly great corrup-
ton exists, and it has been supposed generally that
literary distinctions have been bestowed chiefly on
the persons Of Tartar descent. Well, about three
years ago it happened that there came Chinese
from that region which has never yet acknov ledged
the Tartar sway, (rtds Sir John Davis History Of
Chna,) with the dim recollection Of an unbroken
descent from the ancient Chinese monarchs, named,
j believe, Tien-Tai which, if taken to be French,
tTient 1he) would, in plain English, translate to
" hold tea ~" teapot" He had, it is said, ofen
presented himself before, always on his own merits
disdaining the demands Of corruption, but was
always rejected in the preliminary examination.
This was his last trial and he was again rejected.
stung by the injuries he had met with, he vowed
that he would reclaim the honors and rights OF his
ancestors from the corrupt and greedy Iartars; and
with promises Of relieving the people from the ex
actions which oppressed them he assembled about
him, it may be a rabblc, more apt for plumber than
for conquest, but yet determined band; and, pass
ing into the Kangs district, he began his career Of
conquest The most chosen generals and best troops
were sent from Canton against him. but with the
Usual procrastination Of the Chinese, at such an ad
vanced stage Of the rebellion that they could only
defeat him in one battle TO be defeated in another.
For long time only vague rumors reached US Of the
war, which some believed, others rejected. Never
tbeless, it was steadily advancing through the
KaDgs district, with many reverses but ultimately
successful until this vast and fertile district became
their II is said that in their progress the rebels
gathered innumerable followers by their chlvalrous
respect Of property, and from another remarkable
cause which shall explain presently.
The next district selected for conquest was Kang.
nan, OF which the capital is Nankin, the ancient
seat Of the Chinese monarchs. This city is on the
spl 81 did river YaDgtse Kiang, and at the entrance
to the Grand Canal, the great commercial artery OF
the empire. Nankin is infinitely more necessary to
the integrity Of the Chinese empire than the indie
peDdence OF Constantinope to our Indian empire, or
the maintenance Of the balance of power. With
variable results, as regards individual battles, at
length the great city Of Kiangnan submitted TO the
rebels and after a struggle OF more than three years
Sir G. Bonham found them in possession Of Nankin,
the imperialists being entirely defeated. We have
now lie Amt tina. Annoy, the capital Of the Fokein dis
trct has fallen and that the rebel chief sent guards
TO protect the English consulate and the residences
of the English merchants. II is thus apparent that
while one detachment Of the rebel army Ia in pos
session of Nanfin another is advancing solthw ward
along the seaboerd, towards the Quangsi dis
trict. with the view of ultimately tiking Canton
with the prestige whcha complete northern conquest
and the possession OF Nankin would create -
manpuyre which has cut off the mperiasts from
the most powerful city in the South possessing the
uncertain aaiuncts Of powerful foreign squadron.
Had the rebels commenced operations In the Quangs
district. of which Canton is the only great city they
would have been defeated IN the onset by the inter
! ference OF the English French and Americans, to
whom they had always been represented robbers
| end these Powers would have been invo red in the
war for the more security Of property and certainty
on the irnperiast side, Nov that II " kooTa thai