New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-04-23
CHINA.
S.om Oa, Own Correspondent

In my last communication, THINK stated toat
The French Admiral was PROTECTING the lmperi-
aYsts iD building a wall intended to cut off the
rebels communication with the foreign precincts.
As wac exp. cited by many, it brought the French
TITO collision with the rebels. December the Och,
1854, they went beyond their wall TO guard sn
Ia pulling down a mud breastwork thrown up by
the rebels. Here they got into very serious
difficulty having several of their men killed aud
vouudsd. Tbi. kindled the Admral's wrath ex-
csedinply More men were immediately landed,
AID be commenced frlOg the city, both from
lsDd anc water. Without any respect for the
sOds. be sadly battered two temples on the city
wall. anj burnt the third with shell. No other
dSmsse was done, as they did not then at
tempt 20 set the city on fire. Waiting till
the 18th Of the month, the Admiral again at
tackled the rebels and took mud battery out
aide Of the east gate. After spikiDg the guns the
French returned to their ships. On the 30th Of
December, the French and Imperialsts made q
combined attack which lasted for several hours;
but accomplished nothing. The French threw
shells rapidly into the city. bat could not succeed
in firing it--there being little wood about
Chinese houses. One of their conclusion shells
burning. The rebels had been previously told
that if the French attempted to shell the city, they
could burn il up in few hOnrs and so most for
eigners thought, and many trembled for the fate
OF the thousands within the walls. To the sur
prise Of every one, the battle ended without any
fearful results. The spell was now broken. The
rebels laughed at shells, and said if the Ameri-
cans and English would only remain neutral,
they did not fear the French. This, of course
nettled the latter who determined to give the city
demonstration of their power. BY the 9th inst,
they had their battery prepared, and commenced
early in the morning To make breach in the wall,
which they soon accomplished. They then, $50
strong. bravely entered this breach, but with the
loss of their First Lieutenant and Ensign-the
rebels firing from the houses aid concealed bat
teries. The first object of the French was to get
possession of the north gate just above the breach
and let in their allies-the Imperiasts 1t is said
the latter rushed 10, and some suppOsng the city
then taben, thought only of plumber, to which
they gave themselves with all diligence. Others,
Fastening on through the narrow streets in quest
OF the rebels, suddenly found themselves cut of
by persons concealed in the houses closing and
fastening gates behind them In the meantime,
the rebels were cole citing from all parts
a. the CITY, and tell upon them with such violence
fney feUeato1 is 's-..l..-oa 60 tho wall where the
French were stationed The French held their
position for some time; but finally, finding their
allies useless and their ammunition nearly ex-
hausted. they retired with nine killed and 80
uOunded-a very serious loss out of 80 men.
The lmperiasts, it is thought lost several hun
bred The French are very much chagrned at
their want of success, and will use every effort
they can to retrieve their reputation. AT present,
tbey fntisfy themselves by remaining behind their
bresstxoIks, and firing at the rebels as they pass
beyond them to get into the western part OF the
foreign precincts, where they purchase vegetables,
&c. AS | was passing That region few days
I threa French (,uArls resting their
rnuskets on the wall before them. success
ivelv fire at passing rebel, who only lodged
lis head, but did not alter his gait.
Shade Of Napoleon Whist employment for
French soldiers to be watching for aud shooting
at a poor single Chinese as they would at hare
or bird The French have only two men-Of-war
in port and are waiting the arrival of one or two
others before they attack the city again-so says
report There has been much suffering among
the poor Chinese, pent up In the city ana VIII DC
much more, presume, when the city is hnaly
taken as heathens know no mercy. The lmperl-
alists have suffered severely az the hands OF the
rebels, and will probably allow their soldiers full
license when they enter War is at all times
great curse, but especially as heather wage II.
they seem TO think no kind of torture too severe
for their prisoners During the siege at tins place,
men have been cut to pieces, limb by limbs others
have had their hearts torn out and eaten, the can
Nibals afterward Dragging OF the deed.
longer than ali calculation would allow, we have
ceased to reckon when t1ey will have TO give up.
Eyer thing goes by contrares IN this strange land,
and Judgment formed upon Western principles,
is sure to he wrong. wise man here will only
believe what he sees, and not all of that.
SO far as we can learn, the rebellion makes but
slow progress toward Pekin, while it is extend
ing in different directions south. Canton Province
is AT the mercy Of the revoutonists, and al; trade
cut of from the city. Consequently, large
number OF vessels have come TO Shanghai this
season for teas. One great drawback is the enOr-
pous discount on bills, or letters Of credit, which
has been up to sixty per cent
The Chinese cOastiBg trade lie very much in
;ured by the swarms OF pirates in these trouble
some times. The Epglish steamers have killed
them OIL several times; but they are like the
tabled flies more hungry set takes their place.
The United States ship Vandalia is now at this
station, The steamer Powhattan is expected
shortly on her way to Japan, with Capt. Adams,
bearing the ratified treaty.
The weather is at least seven jackets cold Ito
use Chinese term) and ice is plentiful. Upon
She latter we hope to keep cool" next Summer.
the TRIBUNE comes regularly, giving the news
from Ill parts Of the Union. Among other thugs,
] zee hey have been getting up baoy-show
"out West" OF course they have never seen
any Of our Shanghai babies, or they would not
make such fuss about their own.
p. S. The steamer John Hancock and schooner
tsnnlnore Cooper, belonging to our Surveying