Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-17
Wasbingtnn gentinfl.
From the = Friend of China, June 10.
Cruise of the susauehanna.


The recent cruise the United States steam
frigate Susquehannar up the Yang -tsze kiang
was one of very great interest to all on board
a more full narrative oft may perhaps be pre-
pared hereafter; lest, however, any inaccurat
statements may get abroad, the following, yer.
hurried account is submitted TO the editor o,
the North China Herald.
1t may be remembered, that in the spring o.
last year, the "Susquehanna,p with Col. Mar
shall on board, started on similar expedition,
and although Captain Buchanan was told b,
all who professed to know anything of the nav
igation ofthe river, that it would be futile TO
attempt il, in so large vessel, he was sti
willing to make the effort; more particularly,
as at that time very great interest was fell
touching the remarkable events In the interior
The ship grounded on the Blonde Shoal.
soon after getting into the river; the disap-
pointment was naturally, very great TO all OF,
board, and especially TO Captain Buchanan,
who would at that time have perseyered ano
gone on, had not the services Of the g Susque
hanna been needed in the Japan expedition,
he returned, therefore, with reluctance, intend
ing to embrace the first opportunity to attemp'
il anew.
His Excellency Mr.. McLane, the present
American minister, having some occasion, in
connection with his mission, to 60 up the river
and the "SusquehannaT having been placed BY
the United States government at his disposal,
Captain Buchanan was only too glad TO have
another opportunity.
The ship left her anchorage at Woosung,
on Monday the I'D of May, about III o'clock,
the weather was very unfavorable, and shortly
after getting under way, she was enveloped in
q dense fog; it continued to rain all day;
about two o'clock she neared the Blonde shoal,
where she previously grounded, and, which is
now found to be one Of the greatest obstacles
in the navigation of the river The greatest
possible care was observed, and after touching
slightly, the water depened and she got safely
over; the weather being still bad, it was deemed
!. prudent to come TO an anchor for the night.
On the next day she continued her course as
far as Lang-shan crossing, when the water was
found very shoal, and where the Hermes"
grounded, although drawing but 10 feet Very
careful soundings were made by r. Harris,
master of the "Susquehanna,f when deeper
channel was found, and the ship proceeded on.
No very serious difficulties were then expert
enced, although the soundings on the chart
were found to be inaccurate, owing probably
TO the changes made BY the channel since it
was published.
The ship only running during the day, and
When the weather was favorable. Silver Isl
and, where the imperial feet is anchored, was
not reached until Thursday, the 25th, about 8
o'clock, q. m. -e
The imperial admiral and suite at once
came on board he had been apprised of the
visit, and had long interview with his excel
lency, Mr.. McLane, the nature of which is not
known, although it is said to have been per-
tectly friendly. As the ship approached the
imperial fleet, salntes were fired throughout
49, L. Il a
which were promptly returned by the Sus-
.quehanna.r Silver island is one of most
beautiful spots on the river, and though no
opportunity was afforded of going on shore at
that time, some of the officers visited it on the
return trip.
AS Chin.kiang-fu, the first point on the river,
in the possession Of the rebel forces, was APP
preached, shot was fired across the bows Of
the "Susquehanna;" Captain Buchanan i'm
mediately stopped, directly abreast Of the bat
teries, and orders were instantly given to clear
the ship for action, her heavy guns were run
out, and everything was in readiness, If any
further hostile indications had been shown, to
administer proper rebuke. A boat was low
cred, and Lieutenant Duer and Mr.. Lewis Carr
of tbs legation, accompanied by the Rev. DR..
Bridymsa and the Rev. Mr.. Culbertson as inter
prefer, were sent on shore 10 communicate with
the authorities and demand an explanation for
the shot. The rain lel in torrents, aud ii was
only after a great difficulty they succeeded in
finding the officer in command Of the garrison,
whose residence was distant some two or three
miles inside the walls the appearance Of the
place was melancholy; indeed, such desolation
and misery everywhere observable sufficiently
told the tale of the recent disturbances; a more
perfect burlesque, on military organization,
can scarcely be imagined than the troops, with.
in the works, presented; molly crowd Of men
and halfgrown boys had entire possession Of
all The water batteries thar command the river,
nj this most important point. There seemed
to be no one who could be digni6ed with the
name Of an officer; the greatest possible kind
ness and good feeling was, however, exhibited
by the crowd, and the visitors were addressed
"Our Brolhers,r which was the designation
given by the rebel party on every occasion
where any communication was had with them.
On reaching the residence Of Woo, the Off
Ger in command at Chin-kiang-fu, Lieutenant
Duer and Mr.. Carr, were conducted into his
official chambers, and were received with some
ceremony, and an apparent show Of state. An
avenue was formed by the guards, through
WINCH they passed, and on reaching the gen.
eral. he was observed seated on a platform
He pointed TO O subordinate place for them 10
be seated they advanced, however, and took
their places, on either side Of him, on the same
elevation OF the numbers who crowded into
the room, many were observed to make their
obeisance by kneeling, which appears to be
very general as an act of reverence towards
those IN authority. hag4
The general stated that the shot had been
cred, because, they found it necessary to stop
all vessels ascending the river; but now that
the friendly characterof the ship was sscer-
tanned, proper instructions would be given to
the officers of the batteries, TO prevent recur.
renee Off
Mr.. Carr was instructed by his excellency
the minister, 10 state, that citizens of the UNI
ted States, residing in China, under solemn
treaty, sere much exposed, both in their per-
sons and property, by The civil strife now ex-
tending itself over the Empire, and that It was
the determination Of the minister, to exact from
both parties, proper respect to onr neutral
rights, and in order that he might obtain acur-
ate information Of their relative positions, he