The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-14
LETTER FROM CANTON.

CANTON, CHINA. June 20, 1854.
To The Editor of the National Era:
While The Nebraska bill and the war in Eu-
rope are absorbing the attention of your read
era, events on this side Of the world may pos
sess but little interest. The rebellion is, Of
course the main topic here. A short account
Of Its origin and progress may not be cut of
place, as an introduction to my letter. In
1850. numerous bands of robbers in Canton
aud Kgang-si Provinces united under Hung
tai-tsiuen. as Emperor with the title of Ten
ten, who appointed SIX generals and ministers,
with the title # Kings After several engage
ments at various places, GuDg-ngSnfu, in
Kwang-si fell into their hands, on the 9th Au-
gust, 1851. Here the Emperor had established
his court, coined money, &c.
In making their escape from this city,
when surrounded by Imperialists many rebels
were killed, and Tien-teh taken captive, sent
to Peking, and executed, in June, 1852. After
this, the Insurgents proceeded in q northeast
direction, and about the end of June took
Tsiue3-chsu-fu and in July Tau-chau-hien, in
Human Province. They then attacked the
capital Of Human, but were repulsed and pro-
ceeding no-thWard, took Yok-chau-fu, near the
end of 1852. TIE capture of this important
city, situated at the junction of the outlet of
the great lake with tho Yang tsz-kiang, was
the commence mert Of that series of unparal-
leled successes that attended the descent of the
Iang-tsz-siang FOX three hundred miles, and
ended IN the fall Of Marking on the 21st of
March. 1853. Daring the summer and fall OF
this year the rebels advanced northward, with
various success until they had several import
ant cities on the Grand Canal and in the Prov
ince of Chill, in which Peking is situated, but
were driven back again By the Imperial forces
who regained possession of the cities in Chill
Province, and two or three on the northern
portion cf the Grand Canal
According to latest reliable accounts, the In
surgents had possession of three provincial CAPT
tails, and of parts Of FIVE Provinces on both sides
the Yang-tsz kiang. The territory which they
control contains about forty millions of inhab
itsnts, and some Of the richest soil of the EN-
pire. They have three armies in the field, one
In Shan-tung Province, which has met with
great reverseP, one in Ngsn hwai, and one il
Human. HuDg-siu-tsuen seems to be the chief
since the death of Tien-teh, and he is styleC
Tai ping wong. This man is a native of Can
ton Province, and spent several months in 1S4t
with Rev. |. j. Roberts, an American Baptis
missionary, stationed ia this city From hin
was obtained the knowledge Of the Bible
which gave origin to the religious element O
the instruction.
Very different views are entertained here, q
elsewhere, as to what is to be hoped for man
kind from this feature Of this wonderful move
ment On the one hand, much good is expect
ed to result from the distribution of the Bib,
among the rebel forces and from the opposition
to idolatry, opium smoking, and other vices
On the other hand, the leaders Of the insur
rection seem to use Bible truth as foundation
for their own pretended revelations from
Heaven. and il is said that neither the caus,
of humanity nor religion can be advanced By
q mixture Of error and truth, which teaches
men to murder their fellow beings, and tina
death on the battlefield is sure passport t.
endless Bliss The philanthropist, however
will look upon this and all the commotioni
which now agitate the world, with the earnes
hope that the unseen hand Of Him who con
troIs the destinies of nations may cause to re
suit therefrom relief both to those who art
oppressed by tyrants, and those who are bounc
down by chains of ignorance and superstition
In Canton all is quiet and the Government
exercises great vigilance. At several place:
in the Province, local disturbances, unconected
with the rebellion, have taken place. Neal
Whampoa several villages have been at wal
with each other, because of some old feud be-
tween two families or clans. Many persons
have been killed, and one village of three thou
sand inhabitants destroyed, the families taking
refuge in Whsmpoa. The American steamer
Vincennes has come to that place, for the pro-
lection of American interests there and in
Canton.
1t has been rumored that the Russian feet
in the Pacific were about to attack Hong
Kong; in consequence of which, the aushori.