Washington sentinel., 1854-04-05
Iafest from (,hina.

weeks on her passage from the Gulf of Pecheli,
and reports when she left Tien-tsen that that
place was actually in possession of the rebel army
and that Pekin was closely invested.
We learn from Shanghai, under date of January
5, that the imperial feet had just attacked the city
In an action that lasted one whole day. some Junks,
that had taken up position in singular manner
for attacking the enemy's battery, We're set on fire
by means of pots an feu thrown on board, and
blew up. In spite of this reverse, the imperial
fleet continued the attack, and having effected a
landing Of men, il was enabled 10 throw up a
strand battery facing the rebel detences During
the attack, which was warm, the imperialists set
on fire that part of the suburbs that lies between
the Notifications defended by the rebels and the
European conceded settlements. Hostilities were
going on still when the despatch left
The professional rebels Of the Toong-koon
district have been obliged to succumb TO the arms
Of the Canton imperalists The Kwan-chow-ioo
has returned TO Canton, still having, however,
large bodies of troops in the disturbed districts
Between Hong-kong and Canton piracy is still
of frequent occurrence; but, as our naval au-
thorities take little notice of it, need not refer
TO the subject in more particular manner.
THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO NANKIN.- The
following has been received from the French
steamer Cassini, off Nankn December 1853:
aWe have accomplished the voyage thus far
with perfect safety. Our only alarm has been
gun which was fired into our arrival here
on the 9th instant. Preparations were made, and
decks cleared but as the firing ceased on shore
as soon as we droped anchor, boat was sent
to ask an explanation, which was satisfactory,
and messenger was sent 10 apologize for the
shot fired, which was by accident
The beauty of the river has far exceeded my
expectation. We passed through the imperial
feet some distance from Chn-kiang, which was
supposed to be besieging the city, but doubt if
they got within gun.shot. We met hundreds of
boat-loads on their way down to reinforce the
rebels at Chin-kiang but they appear TO have very
few arms of any kind and the first question on
coming on board the Cassini was, whether they
could buy guns, cutlasses, &C. Hundreds were
allowed to come on board in an orderly manner,
the chiefs only being allowed to go aft the mainmas
It was curious crowd in China. Imagine a
crowd Of Chinese, with long hair, no pipes, and
no hats, dressed as if for carnival in silks and
satins of the finest hue. Such are the rebels and
one can Judge that the stores of Nankin must
have been well supplied 10 furnish such multi
tudes with rich &C wns and furs, distributed APP
parently Unfortunately. have not been able
to 60 on shore, but those who have been through
Nankin say that i presents scene OF ruin and
desolation, painful to Witness and II is true what
had been said, that they have everything in COM
mon. One can see that the houses have no longer
careful masters, for the doors and windows, which
had been broken, suppose, during the pillage Of
the place, are patched up with mating, or with
boards of any kind, merely TO keep out the cold,
which, by the way, is severe here. Although this
trip has been most interesting, with enough Of
danger and inconnn in tito make it piquant.
The revolution is stupendous affair, but, SO far
as am able to Judge, savors more Of Mohamme-
danism than Christianity, in this sense-that is
the Tae-ping who is the Messiah Of these fanatics,
and il is in him they believe rather than in the
crucifed Saviour. They have no organized church
or ministry, and their worship altogether seems
composed Of the repetition of certain prayers three
times day. When Tae-ping himself attends to
his devotons, ten guns are fired each time to an
nounce the great event to his enthusiastic fol-
lowers.
When his excellency M. Bourbillon went on
shore to have an interview with some of the au-
thorties, he was accompanied by Father Clavein,
who afterwards remained with them two da VS.,
and he was able thus to collect great deal ofin-
formation about them. He says they seem per-
fectly confident Of their ultimate success, and
speak of Heen-fung and all the Tartars as devils.
One Of the most curions facts he heard was, that
in Nankin were assembled together all the women
belonging to Tae-pngs followers, amounting 10
the immense and almost incredible number Of
100000; but when one considers what large and
populous towns they have taken possession Of in
their progress TO Nankin, and that these women
are collected from all these places the rebels fear
ing 10 leave their families behind them the number
is probably not much exaggerated. They are de
vided into brigades of $4,000 each, which fe-
male authorities are placed, the least important
having 100 under her command. These women
bear the baton, of Office in the shape of flexible
cane tied together with red silk and forming sort
of switch, which doubtless comes into play pretty
often. The chief Of the brigade is applied 10 in
case Of need, and those holding authority have the
privilege corresponding directly with the princes
in any question Of moment. They have also fe
male soldiers, and there places where they
have been left as the only garrison in towns of
which the rebels have taken possession. OF course
this separation Of fames-wives taken from their
husbands, and children from their parents-causes
a good deal of dscontent among those w no are
oh fhys Sffc in rToa-,
but it is certain such state Of things cannot last
long and if in year or two they have not con-
quered the empire, there will be discussions and
divisions among them. One cannot but feel in
terested in the denonemeat; but in case Of final
triumph, whether foreigners will benefit by the
change of masters in China is question which
time alone can solve"
Millard Fillmore in New Orleans.--We are
happy to see that the councils Of our city have
adopted an order of proceeding for the reception
of this distinguished citizen on his arrival here
from Louisville, which may be expected to take
place to- morrow. He will be received by the
mayor and council on board the steamer head of
Canal street, whence, under military escort, he
will be escorted 10 the City Hall, and there ad-
will be escorted to the ST. Charles Hotel, where
apartments have been provided for him. Salutes
will be fired at the landing the arrival of the
steamer, and flags will be displayed from the pub
Hc Dululngs, ana ut Is requested Dy the cOmHlttee
ofthe councD from the vessels in harbor, the ho-
tells, &C. The mayors room is placed at the dis
posa ofthe distinguished guest, for the reception
Of citizens during his whole stay with us. Hon.
]. p. Kennedy, who was Secretary of the Navy
during Mr.. Filmores administration, accompa-
nes him on this tour, and will share largely in the
cordial welcome our citizens know so well how to
give TO vsiters and guests
At the banquet given Mr.. Fillmore and Mr..
Kennedy at Louisville on the evening Of the 18th
utimo Governor Powell, Senator Crittenden,
Judge Nicholas, and other eminent persons, were
present and made appropriate speeches. Mr.
Fillmores response to a toast given in his honor
is described as being very able and eloquent and
was received with great enthusiasm.
He expressed himself as feeling no little en-
barrassment in speaking upon such an occasion,
which, he said, was one entirely new to him. A
private citizen, retired from public life, he said
he could only attribute this manifestation 10 the
overaowing hospitality Of Kentuckians that must
always be lavished upon some object. Mr.. Fill
referred to his administration, the principles
that had influenced him in its conduct He was
given the nomination Of Vice President without
solicitation on his part, and after his election had
no idea that his duties would extend further than
TO those incident to his occupying the presiding
chair in the Senate. When called 10 the Presiden-