The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-16
HIGHLY INTERESTING FROM CHINA.

To tho EditOr OF the new York kaok0Aus
CANTON, Nay %, 1853.
Our later mercantile circulars viii have informed
you of the successful advance to Nankn Of body Of
nsureeD originated in the south OF China two
years since, under the leadership OF person who
timed to be tie representative OF the last Chinese
dynasty, displaced by the present, Of the Tartars.
These insurgents, increased in power and Ia num-
bers With their successes improved in organization,
and On nearly every occasion when they have en-
countered the imperial troops, have completely rout
ed them. From the beginning they have appeared to
pursue the fixed plan Of obtaining possession OF
the capitals of provinces and walled cities, Con their
route to the noth) which they left on securing the
government treasures, and levyiDg from the richer
class es what was In addition, necessary 30 Their
wants. We have heard of no authenticated instance
Of ndscrminate plunder and 80 far az any LII effect
on trsde has been felt from their movements. 1t has
been from the reluctance of merchants to convey
treasure on the routes in that part OF the conn
try in dispute, and from their fear OF having
duties levied by both parties on goods in
transit. We were also informed that the pc.
icy of the leaders Of the party has been to
avoid any interference with the trading and In
dastrial classes Of the provinces through which
thew have passed. and there is certainly strong evI
dence that if they have not the sympathy they have
succeeded in avoiding the enmity OF the body Of the
population. In all the ediots and proclamations OF
their leaders it is assumed that the movement is OF
Chinese against the Tartar rule and that their effort
is to free the country from its Mantchou Invaders,
reestablishipg the legitimate descendants Of the last
| Chinese dynasty. All the appeals to the people
for assistance and support have been ON that
! ground. It is stated that regular garrisons
have been left by the insurgents in the cities
they have taken, and no attempt made at
establishing points Of retreat or magazines Of
provisions in their rear. We have not heard that
they have molested any class Of people who have
not taken up arms against them; though all accounts
agree that the Tartar troops and mandarins who
not easy to compute their numbers while on their
march TO Nankn IS there many contradictory
accounts in that respect; but it has been estimated
that their organized force has been not 80 OO0
armed in the Chinese manner; but since their arrival
| at the North they have been adding recruits.
| During last March we were informed that the
insurgents were before Nankin on the middle of
the previous month, and from March until
the early part Of May contradictory accounts
were received OF the fate Of that city by the foreign
residents IN ShaDghae, the intelligence from the in
terror being precisely coDtradcted by the Taoutae Of
ShanghGe, whose nendacity has been without limit.
he has on the one part forged payc ards purporting
to be from the insurgents inimcal to foreigners, and
on the other, posted his own chops on the walls Of
Nankn, asserting that he had five hundred foreign
ers under drill at Shanghae, and several foreign
steamers in readiness to 60 to the relief Of Nankin
We mention this in order to show the utter waat Of
principle of the imperial officers in their printed
private announce ments, and as indication Of the
difficulty, at present, of obtaining information.
The information and possession of the placard
was obtained by the very active interpreter OF the
British Consulate at Shanghae and in order, as It'll
supposed, to prevent any evil to foreigners from
/ AZ wei ~ f0rO
no doubt, his Excellency Sir George Bonham, her
Britannia Mojesty's Plenpotentary, resolved on an
expedition to Nankin, il Der Britannia Majesty's
steamer Hermes, which left shanghae on the 22d Of
April, and arrived before Nankin on the 9th Of
| April. The foreigners were received In the most
friendly manner by the insurgents, whom they found
completely In possession of the city, engaged in re-
pairing the Qualifications, and recruiting and organ
zing additions to their force.
There is other information brought by the exped
ton, of nature to attract the attention Of those
interested in the trade to Chinaa and Of those who
feel an interest in the prominent characteristics
OF this new party. We proceed to condense the &C
counts Of those who were on board the steamer and
on shore at NankiD, the whole are too long to
quote, ard there il much Of merely local interest
The chief OF the insurg is called ping wang
or prince Of Peace" to whom kind Of divine
"origin or mission is ascrbed With the exception
Of any admitted assumption Of this kind, the re-
gion and professions of the insurgents nearest
these of t" Christians Of the Protestant form of
worship" as they acknowledge the. Trinity
ments, even to the breaking Of dolatrous images Of
any nature; speak OF their successes as derived
from the prote ction of Heaven forbid the applica
ton TO their leader Of the terms supreme holy and
others, constantly assumed by the Emperor Of China
enforce in their camp the ordinary religious rules,
with the extreme Of prohibiting the use Of opium,
and even of tobacco; and their constant theme is Of
their hopes from the protection Of Heaven, in
connection with their present plans. 1t Is, no
doubt, the case that their religious information is
from the books, or impaired by the pupils, of Pro-
testaIt missionaries in the south Of China, as it s
known that one or more Of the latter are in the
camp. The visiters by the Hermes report that their
organization Is, in its own way, apparently efficient
and strict.
It is also stated that these people are quite in
different either TO the presence or influence Of for
egners In China; or, rather hold no opinions analo
gous to the restrictive policy pursued by the present
Tartar government Of China.
1t is indspufable that the insurgents are now in
possession Of the most important part Of China with
respect 70 the interior trade, and Of the control Of
the communication between Pekin and the southern
provinces. Besides Nankin, and other less impor
tant and less known cities, they are In possession Of
Chin Kiang lFoo), most important post, and
placed immediately at the confluence Of the Imperial
canal, the Yang-tsze Kiang, and other most impor-
TAFT avenues Of connection with the richest cities In
the north. Such being the fact, we are to infer
that until the future policy of the insurgents Is
tanly indicated by their movements, there be no
active trade In imports at Shanghae, as capitalists
and traders In that Deighborhood must be treasured
by finding that they have nothing to fear. We are,
therefore, anxiously awaiting further accounts.
In this quarter oil is quiet, and trade goes on az
usual.
We suspected that by this mail, and in conse.
quence Of the late news from Shanghai, contradic-
tory and disconnected accounts Of these events |
might reach you, and we have, therefore, presumed
that you would find acceptable collation. OF the |
most reliable and direct information that we can
procure--but we are by no means prepared to vouch
for the accuracy Of all the statements we have
quoted.
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM OUR COMMISSIONERS.
LEGATION OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SHANGHAI, 18th April, 1858. |
Gentlemen--I have the honor TO acknowledge |
youf letter of the l4th Instant containing the en-
quiry.---" Whether in the event Of American pro |