Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-21
FROM CHINA.

CANTON, july 80, ls54.-Almost total cessation of
business exists here Thousands of families have already
left the city and daily others arc leaving in crowds The
streets continue barricsded and guarded and the shops
almost entirely closed except those in old and new China
streets Engagements take place nearly every day north
Of the city, within couple of miles Of the walls and the
apprehensons great the part Of the Chinese that
the city itself must eventually be captured The Manda-
rim vessels stationed at different points Of the river west
Of the city to keep off the rebels completely succeed in
cutting off all communication with those places through
which teas and silks brought Market and the con-
sequence is that arrive The Ladrones on the river
between this and Whampoa to the eastward continue SO
numerous and so utterly regardless of the Government
which they seem to hold in great contempt that chop
boats with cargoes for the foreign vessels are still towed
down to Whampoa by the river steamers.
II IS impossible to describe the atrocities and barbara
ties committed either side when prisoners are made
Several officers of high rank have been killed in the diff
ferent battles that have taken place. and many soldiers
all of whom it is difficult to replace while the like casu-
aes the part of the insurgents are constantly made
good The operatives of every branch of industry are
out OF employ and this in any other country but China
would occupy the serious consideration Of the auhori
ties Their numbers too vast and it is not impro-
babe they will join the discontinued share the spois
OF the city Thus far THE state Of things has had no eff
feet on the price Of teas there very few in Canton
and they in warehouses the banks of the river
whence they could be easily moved in case of fire. while
those stopped at various points the road Canton
could not be brought to market for delivery even if sold
Prices therefore continue high
CANTON AUGUST g. 1854.-We have to advise the arri-
val Of the United States steam-frgae Mississippi with
Commodore PERRY, from Japan and Loo Choo, at Hong
Kong on the I'D ultimo. Commodore Perry does not
consider it proper to make public the Of the treaty
between the United States and japan until it shall have
been ratified by the former Government From the re-
ports Of himself and officers we Judge that commerce
with Japan must be of slow growth and first Adventures
may be large losers The Japanese to need none
of the products of Western nations and show no samples
of merchandise that could be safely shipped At Loo
Choo compact was made securing certain privileges to
citizens of the United States the terms Of which NAV be
found in the newspapers of the day.
The whole OF the province seems to be in state of
rebellion against the Government more or less active
in the different sections according to the ability Of the
rebels to supply themselves with arms
Fatshau remains in possession of the rebels most Of
the Government forces having been withdrawn there
for the protection of the city of Canton where there has
as yet been rising against the authorities Skir-
poorly armed insurgents the northern and eastern sides
Of it are almost of daily occurrence.
At Whampoa the mandarns have lost oil control and
chop boats with cagoes for the foreign shipping having
been compelled to pay black mail to the rebels Tor
thieves towad dawn by the river steamers when
available for that purpose.
To the application Of the United States Vice Consul for
guard boats to accompany six chop boats to the Kathay
detained in town from the here alluded toy the
Pwan Yu answered that he could afford none and they
have this morning gone down under convoy Of Portu-
guese armed Torch. The legitimate trade Of the place
therefore at end, and it is probable that more &C
tive interference of foreign Powers in protection Of the
river navigation may soon become necessary.
The forces under Commodore RINGGoLD having been
withdrawn the arrival of Commodore PERRY, (com-
handing the East India staton detachment Of sailors
and marines from the Mississippi is now stationed in
front Of the factories where the Comus also remains and
we consider this q sufficient protection.