Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-25
Chinese Executions-Fifty Victims per Day
American Skirmishes with the Rebels, &C

American Skirmlshes with the Rebels, &c.
The following interesting letter we find in
the New York Observer:
CANTON, July lS.-Last evening the Rev.
Mr.. Bonney and ! passed by the execution
ground, narrow lane one hundred feet long,
occupied on one side by pottery shops, on the
other a blank wall. 1t was quite accidental
that we stepped aside few yards from our
way to see it, for / had passed over il yester-
day when it was cleared Of dead bodies, and
was only revolving by the sight of bin Of de-
cayed human heads, which would measure as
much as cord of wood, and the black, blood.
soaked ground emitting sickening efiuvium.
But this afternoon we happened to pass by
there not long after five o'clock, the execution
hour, before the headless bodies were removed
from the ground, or the heads thrown into the
heap. There lay fifty or sixty victims, which
is not greatly above the average Of daily exc
cutions for week or two past, the head near
the body from which 1t was Just severed, the
hands tied behind the back, the legs sprawled,
the victim fallen forward on the belly. The
poor creatures are placed in line, one before
the other, in kneeling posture, the head bent
forward one Of the two executioners holds
him, while the other strikes off the head at a
single stroke, usually of the sword.
Mr.. Bonney could understand the talk of the
bystanders, and it revealed indignant feelings
at the slaughter; for the victims are often poor
and innocent, seized while at their lawful ayo-
cations, "on groundless suspicious, and execu-
ted without trial." Ispeak advisedly. Leanp-
ala used these words. One was taken while
being shaved in a BARRIERS shop. When one
OF the bystanders expressed himself freely to
Mr.. Bonney against the government, his COM
rade hushed him, lest the words should be over.
heard and reported to the mandarins.
Yesterday, the American consul Mr.. Spoon
er,wishing to ascertain the true state of mat
ters at Fushau, a town up the river, fifteen
miles southwest from here Of 100000 inhabi-
tants, the possession Of which is disputed with
the rebels by the imperialists, causing a serious
interruption of trade, went up with Captain
Rodgers, Of the United States steamer John
Hancock, two or three other American officers
Mr. Bonney as interpreter, a crew Of more than
2S--in all, 30 souls in two boats. They left at
Z o'clock, a. m, and returned at 3, p. m.
Mr.. Bonney tells me the boats proceeded I'M
molested, and passed at 10 o'clock by the i'm
perialists transport boats, and little above
through The feet of twenty-seven imperialists
iunks, containing the heavy guns, and the SOL
diers returning from a morning fight with the
rebels at Fushau. The Americans communi-
Gated slightly and in friendly way, with the
junks and passed on. When within halfa mile
Of burning buildings on the opposite side ofthe
river from the town, they were challenged by
Struggling rebels, about sixty in number, who
brandisbed their swords, looking fendlike and
defying them. Mr.. Bonney called loudly, and
made very distinctly the Chinese signs Of their
friendly intentions, but in vain.
One of the rebels, several rods in advance OF
the rest stopped, and resting his matchbox
on an embankment within fifty feet of the
boat, aimed deliberately at the stern of the gig,
where sat Mr.. Bonney, Mr.. Spooner, and Cap.
tain Rodgers; the boats had been previously
put about, and were going down the river.
Captain Rodgers noticed the rebels movement,
and remarked il aloud, so that Mr.. Bonney
had time to stoop his head below the gunwale,
when the matchbox was fred, and buckshot
grazed Mr.. Spooner's cheek and whisker. In
stantly two guns were levelled and fired by the
two marines in the other boat---the launch
and also Captain Rodgers fired both charges of
his double-barrelled gun, and the assailant fell,
doubtless dead.
1t is a time Of constant excitement and alarm
here among the Chinese, hundreds and thou
sands OF whom are moving with their families
and effects to Macao, Hong. Kong, &C., paying
roundly for steamer conveyance Nothing is
done here promptly as with us, and distur-
Dances may continue for weeks or months be-
fore decisive result is obtained but IL seems
increasingly probable that ultimately the rebels
will succeed, and the Chinese imperial dynasty
be changed.