The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-10

hshed AT which stations Gil silks, teas, &c, wore
arrested until the duries iOuld be paid she
country sas oYerrun with bands of robbers it was
mater Of great uncertainty whether the money
for tire payment Of the duties would sch the
tom-hoUse, or the goods Reach S aDghae after the
duties were paid. There was, IN ia,t for the time
being total abroeatlo OF toe treaty Mr.. Mel ane
had AZ interview with the Taouiae and the pru
cpsl officials, as soon as bis arrival was known,
and gave them 70 undersia ana in plain, but at the
same time courteous terms, that be considered
their conduct as being in direct violation OF the
treaty, AID that tee government Of the United
States ccad not allow such state OF things to con-
tinue. By this determined action on his art the
Chinese authorities brouga, to terms, add the
Commissioner had the satisfaction before he left
Shapghae, OF seeing the custom house established,
with many improvements, and peace AID order
restored. Toe question of payment Of past duties
during the time the coDsuls had established pro-
yisional custom house and received promissOry
notes in pay ment of duties on Merchandise. also re-
CURED prompt tention. The Chinese officials on
the one hano pressed the payment OF the notes. aud
the merchants on the Other objected strenuousy.
Here also by frank and decided course of CO ndu IT,
MIR. McLane conciliated both parties and the m 1t
ter was finally submitted 10 his arbitration both by
the merchants aud the Chinese. Tae result Of the
arbitration il nor yet known. IL Is gratifying TO
know that such was the confidence OF the com NUM-
ty in hr. McLanes judgment, that The English mer-
chants refused to submit the matter TO tue arbtra
ton Of their own minister, unless Inc agreed de-
eide II on the same grounds and IN the same man
ner as Mr.. McLsne.
Notwithstanding these vexatious questions, the
Commissioner aid not lose sight of tie main object
OF his mission, but urged upon the Cainese author
ties the advantages OF increased facilities for trade
and commerce with the United States
During the summer monshs the Commit ssiOner
visited Fuchau and Wingpo, two of the five treaty
ports. AZ Fuchau be appointed Mr. ID. o. Clark, Of
the firm OF Russell x Co., as acting Consul until
the arrival of ar. Jones. The Viceroy sent his re-
spects TO the Commissioner and regretted that he
could no. see him on account of sickness. At
Wingpo there is little or trade with the mer,-
can residents except the missionaries. Mr. Nc
Lane gave DR.. McCartee the appointment of acting
Cons al at this place pending the arrival OF Mr.
Bradley. Or her return from WingpO he proceeded
IL the Susquehanna up the Yang-ese river to Nan
king, the head quar- tiers OF the rebel chief (Tnae-
ping Wang At Chum. kang fu the outpost of the
rebels, some thirty miles below Marking, shot was
fired at the Susquehanna, but an apology was
almost immedia ely given, stating that it happened
through mistake. The rebels were not disposed,
however, TO treat with foreigners, and the Commits
sioners visit was ia consequence very unsatistac
tory. Several communications passed between
Capt. Buchanan and the officials the tenor of those
of the latter was absurd in the extreme. They were
willing TO acknowledge the United States, should
they pay tribute. lGstead of being friendly dis.
posed towards foreigners, as is generally supposed
to be the case, they are more hostile than the i'm
perial party. Their religion is a compound of alb
surdity ana basphemy, and their habits are quite
as corrupt, nor more go than the other party,
there is a strict separation of men and women.
Little can DC expected to benefit trade from such
the Empire.
On his way to Hong Kong, the Commissioner
touched at Annoy, the only one OF the Five Ports
which he had not previously visited. After revisit
ing Canton, Mr.. Mel ane preparedt) go north again,
in the steamer Powbatan, the Susauehanna being
ordered home. His excellency the French Minister,
it is probable, will accompany him as far Shaug.
hae The most cordial intimacy has existed between
the Ministers Of the two tries which has greatly
facilitated their negotiations. lie will endeavor If
possible, to reach Pekn. Two small vessels from
the exploring expedition have gone to the Gulf of
Pechele and the mouth Of the Peho river to c0-ope-
rate with the Po uhatan, and at the same tins carry
on the work Of the expedition.
The Chinese government are very willing to grant
anything that foreigners may ask, il they will give
them pra teal aid but it is to be feared on no other
terms will they open the interior of China unless
forced to CO SO by superior power.
The state Ct China at this time is melancholy in
the extreme. Shanghae has been for the last year
in the possession OF party Of re 1es entirely dis
tinct from the rolio sers of Thae plug Wang. IL is
closely beeieged by the i'm peral troops amounting
to some 10 600 men. rhe interior of the city is
completely in ruins and press nta fearful picLure
of the horrors of war. Canton il also closely be.
sieged by the Triads, another distinct party OF
surgeDts. Tee Chinese merchants and their taui
lies have been leaving in numbers for Hong Koog
10 place themselves under the protection Ut the
English Trade there is aln st enJlrely stop oed,
owing to the troubles and the orincioai shipment
of teas, silks, &C., have been fro II Shaughae and
FDchaD but even at these ports serious iOterrup
tiOns have occurred. The Tnae-plng Wang parry
holds almost entire possession Of the rich country
wstered by the Yang-tse river "a far down rs Chiu
kisngfee, some NO hundred miles from its m )uth.
They had advanced within snort distance OF
Pekin, but were driven back. They still mold pos.
session OF tie mouth of the grand canal 1t is i'm
possible t, form any opinion OF the length OF time
TO eapse before order is restored the Chinese say
twenty years.
The Samoan, or Navlgntor's Islands.