The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-15


rmpcrors the last ascending the throne in 1871.
At this period the Manchous (before referred tol
had become very powerful and seeing the distracted
state OF affairs in the Chinese empire under Wanhe,
decided to make war, under the lead OF Tenmng.
This war lasted for some time; before any ueoLsise
result was achieved, both Wanhe anu lle1n iitS
died. For twenty years now the MaIa i"5 20 mo
great fury. The native generals aspiring " .ae
Throne were numerous, when, hnaliy, one Vi lhsIl'
10 revenge himself upon another haeVe Pleteu,ue,
made treaty with the Manchous, anu VIII s cl
assistance succeeded in eNpelling the usufper rom
5be throne which he had almost conquered and
placed thereon the first Manchou emperor, In the
year l644 The long wars, which had devastated
Abe country, caused the Chinese TO ha the Manchou
emperor as a deliyerer. He lived however, but
short time dying of a fatal disorder Before his
death he named his grandson, Shunche, his sue
cessor, who, although minor (being but fourteen
years of ageD assembled the throne in 1862 From
that day to this have the Manchous without any
serious opposition ruled China.
Under Shunche the dynasty was fully established,
but long and terrible were the which achieved
it, Even to this day-more than two centuries hav-
ingintervened-may be SEEM all over the empire,
ruins of Cities large estates with gardens, and walls
standing, evincing by their present appearance
how much elegance and wealth in all existed,
where now all is ruin. About the great city OF
Marking this is particularly the case, for, although
it contains population, variously estimated at
from three to four millions, still the old walls are in
ruins, far beyond the present one and so marked is
it. even to this day, that the British noticed it In
ls42, when that great capital was taken by them.
From the active and warike habits OF the Manchous,
they were, physically, powerful race, and each
lived reign longer than any other set oil princes,
since the fabulous times.
The fifth emperor of this dynasty, kea King,
the dignity so characteristic of the Manchous.
Vie kept low company, was entirely dlsreSardiui
the affairs OF State and annual customs, such
the annual hunts, plough matches, &c, the
rglect OF which the Chinese will neither excuse nor
kerlook. He, therefore, became exceedingly un-
opular, both with the Chinese and Tartars, so that
Evolutionary societies were formed throughout the
npire, having for their ultimate object his de-
ironement. Among them was society, styling
themselves Triads. This society exists to this day.
and the party now holding this city against 10000
Imperialists, rally under that banner.
kea King, like the rest of his predecessors, lived
to a good old age, sustaining his empire against all
attacks, and in 1920 died, naming his son, Taon
Kwang, (glory of reason,) as his successor. I'm
der him the British war occurred. He died
in 1850, after naming, as his successor, his
fourth and only surviving son, under the title OF
HienFoung. who is the seventh, and, from the signs
of the times, is destined to be the last Emperor OF
that most remarkable dynasty. He was but nine
feen years of age when he assembled the throne. He
is therefore now in his twentyfoarth year.
Having been educated among the hterat OF
China he entertains their well known hatred to all
foreigners. His first act was the selection OF his
ministers. who, like himself, were mere children,
and who also entertained violent prejudces against
all outside barbarians. He removed from Office
all who were known to be favorable TO
foreigners. So soon as this was generally known,
ahe DISSATISFACTION giving rise to this rebellion wa
in great measure increased. This effort to re-
establish the exclusive principle, which had been
shattered by British cannon and British enterprise
III persisted in, would destroy any dynasty. The
Chinese were drivVD at the point OF the bayonet
into the possession of great knowledge, and since
chen they have made most rapid strides. Every
vessel that comes into these ports brings back
hundreds of Cinnamon from California and Austria
lila, as well as few from other parts of the world
all of whom spread the leaven of their experience
has hog he n extent there
Ia scarcely to be found in any OF the seaports Q
Chinaman who has not quite good general idea Of
Abe leading nations of the world. They have ad
vanced too far then, to retreat; consequently, LEI
1bis present rebellion result as it may one thing II
certain, that to have any firm hold upon the active
business portion of the empire, the present re
strictions must be relaxed part by part, until final,
the whole country will be open to free and unre
Htrcted trade. ORIENTAL.
shanghai, CHINA March l. 1854.
Soo Progress Of the Imperiasts the Siege Of Shanghai
Its Characterization Of the Imperial 7redsary-San
qua on His Last Less-Hs His,ory-Ce'ebration Q
Rosh;ngons Brthday--Primitire Character Of d
Ssononosyr..,,u '- =. Of
Jet,oeen Him and The Forces Under Genera
Lac-Atrociies Committed by the Later-7he fiad 50
eiay-THe Leading Spirits amongst 7Hem.
Since my last nothing of great importance ha
iranspred between the Imperial forces here and tn
Triads. Cor small sword society,) under Gen. Lew
The latter still hold Shanghai, although Samqua has
received an additional force of 900 men, and from
his camps, which are on two sides of the city, Is
bombardng the same night and day. When this
additional force arrived it was supposed by all that
Samqua would make desperate effort, but as YET
he has done nothing. Many conjectures are around
as to the motives Of such delay; some think it il
because the powder Of the Imperiasts is wet Others
think because the treasury is too empty the latter
which reasons would with Chinaman be final.
In every attack which has been made upon the
city Samqua has been obliged, before they would
advance, to turn out the Carolus dollar quite liber
ally. The Imperial chest at Picking is empty, and
no vessels have entered or cleared at this port fol
sometime, and, therefore, Samqua is upon his last
legs Before the fall of this city he was rich-said
10 be worth $500 000-but in it's defence he has lost
ALL and the chances that if he does not effect its
recapture soon, that he viii be ordered to Picking
1here to pay with his life and those of his family the
Forfeit always exacted from Chinese officials in case
of failure in what they undertake TO accomplish
If such fate should befal him, it will be much re
GREETED by all Americans, his career In life has
evinced character which we all admire the most
yiz.-the self-made man.
Samqua was a Hong merchant at Canton, which
is the third class in China scholars and agrcultur-
lists being az general rule, only advanced to poll
1ical or official distinction. He speaks English q
little, and when the treaty made with the Eng.
lish, he accompanied the imperial commissioner ap-
pointed for that purpose, and performed an impor-
fant part in the negotiation of the subsequent
treaties between France and the United States.
After these services, he was appointed by Hen
Foung the Emperor as Provincial Judge of this
district and Governor of Shanghai, a high position,
and which entities him to ride in a green sedan.
Thus, by his own talents and energy he had not
only amassed q fortune, but he had even broken
down, by the same means. the barriers of Chinese
custom, which very much resemble the laws of the
Modes and Persans, and rose to one of the highest
executive Offices under the Council Of State. He
has great respect for foreigners, especially Anne
ticans.
On the 22d ult., the United States ship Ply
mouth, well dressed on every mast fired the nation