New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-15
CHINA.
TRIP OF The U. S. STEAMSHIP sUsQUE-
HANNAH TO EANKIN.


ec,,t cruise Of The United States steam frgaie sas-
asebannah up the YaDg-tze-Kiang:
The ship left her anchorage at WOo7ung Oh Monday
the 22d May, about II Oelock the weather was Vsry
able and shortly after getting an1er way soc
was enveloped in dense fog; II continued 70 ram an
day; about O'Clock she neared the bionqe onoa.,
where she previously grounded. and which "a no"
Sound 10 be one Of the greatest obstacles IN the navl-
cation Of the river The greatest possible care "as
observed and after touching slightly the ~s'er oeep
sned and she got safely over; the weather oeng Sun
bad il was deemed prudent to come to anchor Tor
the night On the next day she continued her course
a. far az Lang shan Crossing when the water was
Soupd yery shallow and where the Hermee gr0unted
although drawing but thirteen ieet. very carelli
sounding were made by r. Harris, master OF the Sos
uuebannah when a deeper channel was found, and
dc shin proceeded on. No very serious difficulties
were then experienced although the soundngs on the
chart were found 10 be inaccurate, owing probably to
the changes made by the channel since it was pub
kthed.
The ship only running during the day, aud when
the weather was favorable, Silver Island, where the
imperial feet IL anchored, was not reached until
Thnrsday the 18th, about O'Clock A. VI.
The imperial admiral and suite at once came on
board: he had been spprised of the visit, and bsd
long interview with his Exceuency Mr.. hcLsne the
nature Of which is not known although it said TO
have been perfectly friendly As the ship approached
the imperial feet salutes fred throughout the
Ene IN honor q his Exeelency Mr. McLaoe which
were promptly returned by the susquehanna- Silver
Island il one Of the most beautiful sp0t on tire ryer,
and though no opportunity was afforded OF going on
shore at that time of the officers visited It on
the return trip.
As ChiDksDg-fu tho fret point on the river in the
DOS ession Of the rebel forces approached shot
was fred across the bows Of the Susquehsnna.
Capt Buchanan Immediately stopped, directly abreast
of The batteries and orders were instantly gwen 10
olear the ship for action. Heavy guns were run out,
and everything was IN readiness, If any iurther hOse
indications bad been shown, to administer proper
4, cd and fQnf
Lewis Carr Of the Legation, accompanied by the Rev.
Dr. Bridgman and the Rev Mr.. CulbertsOn a. inter-
Ireters were sent on shore to communicate with the
authorities and demand an explanation for the shot.
The rain fell in torrents and il was only after great
difficulty they succeeded in finding the officer in COM
uand OF the garrison whose residence was some two
or three miles inside the walls. The appearance OF tue
place was melancholy indeed; such des0iailon ana
misery every where Observable sufficiently told the tale
of the recent disturbances. more perfect burlesq1e
on a military organization can scarcely be imagined
than the troops within the works presented motley
crowd Of men and half grown boys had entire posses
sion Of all the water batteries that command the river
at this most important point
On reaching the residence Of Woo, the officer in
command at Chin.kiang-iu, Leut. Duer and MT:
Carr were conducted into his official chambers, and
were recsved with some ceremony, and an apparent
show OF state An avenue was formed by the guards,
through which they passed, and on reaching the gen
eral be was observed seated on platform. lie
pointed subordinate place for them to be seated
tIfy ADVANCED, nOWbNCI, Vooe bheh Pi",oo w
either side of him, ON the same elevation. OF the
number who crowded into the room, many were Oh
served to make their obeisance by kneeling, which
appears TO he very general as an act OF reverence to-
ward those in authority.
The general stated that the shot had been fired be-
cause they found necessary to stop all vessels a.
cending the river but that the friendly character
Of the ships -sscertained, proper Instructions
would be given to the officers at the batteries to pre-
vent a recurrence OF 1t.
Mr. Carr was instructed by his Excellency the Min
ter state that citizens of the United States resid'
ng in China under the guarantees OF solemn treaty,
were much exposed, both in their persons ana prop
erty by the civil strife extending itself over the
Empire and that it the determination OF the Min
lister TO exact from both parties proper respect 30
our neutral rights and in order that he might obtain
accurate information Of their relative positions he
intended to ascend the river some distance that he
would stop at Marking and might there communicate
with the authorities Woo replied that he would
much prefer that the Minister would remain at Chin
kiang-fu until be could make known his intended
visit 10 the Eastern King, and that the visit OF his
Excellepcy would be made more satisfactory by
doing. The interview was somewhat protracted owing
10 the peculiar dialect used which the interpreters I'M
perfectly understood. The result of this interview
beng reported, Captain Buchanan, on full CON
suItation with Mr.. McLane, was not altogether
satisfied and he then addressed a letter 10 General
Woo, demanding an immediate apology Tor the in-
suit offered 10 the American nag, ana that unless
il was full and ample he would ehectualiy prevent
similar occurrence from that battery at least. lie
also inclosed him drawing Of the flag that II might
not again be forgotten. Lieut.. Duer accompanied by
L. A. lie Roy, Of the Legation, was directed to de-
liver the letter. Before IL was received, however,
communication was sent on board, containing very
satisfactory apology, accompanied with reiterated
hone that His Excellency the Minister would await
some communication from Marking. MI mcLane
being unwilling TO suffer such detention, Capt. Bu-
cbanan apprised Gen. Woo that he would proceed on
the following day at noon, which he accordingly did
None Of the batteries appeared at all disposed TO ob-
-. obi
chow, some distance above Chn-kiangfu , strongly
fortified point at the mouth Of the Grand Canal in
the possession ofthe rebels the officer in command APP
preached the Susquehanna with letter, repeat
ing what had previously been written
by Woo, about going on. II was said
10 him in reply, that the object of the Minister was
friendly and that he ould only have intercourse with
The higher authorities at Marking. IL was getting
rather late, and as an nmation had been gwen that
a ckeptaHx de ese had been thrown across the river,
10 obstruct the passage of the Imperial heet, the
captain came TO an anchor for the night. The gen.
eral was conducted through the ship, and expressed
very great admiration OF her battery nc particularly
fingered around Of the heavy s-inch pieces; her
traverse pivot carriage and beautiful apparatus for
raising and depressing excited his special attention
He remained on board until late hour, and ulti-
mately expressed great desire 10 proceed on In the
ship. Heleft stating that he would come on board in
the morning. but the vessel leaving at an early hour
he was not taken on board.
On approaching Marking, on all the low fiat land
outside OF the northeast wall of the city, crowds
were assembled, and as it was from this point that
the Hermes and Cassni were fired at, the men
were beat TO quarters, and every preparation
made to give them brosdsde, if any hostile demon
stration had been made none was, however, and the
Sussuehanna slowly and gracefully moved up to her
anchorage just off the corner of the wall above
toned. The day was beautiful, and the thousands
and thousands who gaxed at her as she approached
were evidently much impressed with her fine appear
ance.
Lieut. Duer and Mr.. Carr, with the Rev. DR..
Bridgman were again sent shore with letter from
Capt Buchanan to the highest officer commanding at
Marking announcing the arrival of a United States
ship-of war with the American Minister on board The
letter was delivered to officer who stated that he
.xonld inrz.a and II 10 NAng the Eastern KIM