New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-28
CHINA.


After q siege of nearly a year and half the
CITY If Shanghai, by the assistance of the
French. fell into the hands Of the Imperial
patty. All supplies had been efectually cut
of-some Of the common people had starved,
and dogs. cats and horses had been eaten. The
rebels then concluded it was time to leave and
or the night of the 10Th nit. took their departure.
About II O'Clock at night the city was set on
fire in different places---some say by the rebels
and other. ,ay by the Impcrialists who entered
soon after the rebels left. The fire ragged till the
afternoon of the next day and large part of the
town was reduced to ashes Fortunately all the
Missionary Churches escaped; though houses
were burnt adjoining some of them Notwith-
starding the city was closely beseged, the large
majority OF the rebels made their escape. Some
sixty or seyefty found their way TO the American
Guard-IIoase where they were kept till the next
dsy. when Capt Pope told them to look ont for
Themselves ] bc Imperialists caught some three
or four hundred, whom they beheaded. 1t is now
generally believed that neither of the chiefs was
caught. Tie first day the city was given up 10
the piag.ng a the soldlery who took what little
tie former occupants had left The second day
the maDdarins endeayoTed to restore order and
freely administered the bamboo 10 those who
were caught stealing | took a walk through the
everywhere visible whole streets were in ruins,
and the bcegars were picking and pilllng at the
fragments. Here and there was a crlsped skele-
ton lille along the lanes aud in the houses were
headless bodies ripped up aud cut in the most bar
barous manner. The sick and wounded were ali
murdered wherever found. They even opened the
coifins and cut the bodies of the dead to crafty
their coWaTdly vengeance. As ! returned met
seven or eight baskets full of heads, each basket
fol. rx.~itt han hon
poles On which to stick them up in different parts
of the city as a warning to all future rebels. But
| must forbear lest your readers should sichen at
the details Of heather cruelty. Notwithstanding
their outward polish snd politeness, the Chinese
have proved in this war that they have the hearts
Of sayaces.
A few DAYS ago missionary caught man
taking bis property by force from his servant lie
took him to an officer, who wished to have his
head taken off, saving il was the rule now to be-
head all thieves When the missionary objected
to this he then wanted to know if three hundred
blows with the bamboo would answer, considering
that a very light punishment But the kind
hearted minister, thinking his tender mercies
rather cruel, reduced it to thirty forty cks for
which lie received many thanks from the thief
Speaking Of missionaries reminds me that the
American missionaries whose houses have been
damaged and destroyed by the war have been
paid for by the Chinese Government. Ii happened
on tbs wise The Imperial General found it to his
advantage 10 pull down all the bridges and stop the
paths near TO the city. He therefore told the
Consul he would pay for the houses If the mis-
sonaries would desert them entirely This they
readi, agreed 10 do, doubling whether they would
ever be paid ii they waited till the war was over.
As soon as they had given up their premises, how
ever. the Willy general, Chinese-lihe, made
every effort 10 avoid the payment, but Consul
Murphy compelled him 10 stand TO his bargain by
paving over the sum Of Sl- O0O,OO Re il said,
however TO the credit Of Keih. since he got pos
session of the city be has been in such good
humor that be has made the missionaries present
of what j. left of their houses. A feW days ago he
gave dinner in honor Of the capture OF the city.
al which seventeen courses were served All the
cons uls and naval officers were invited.
Very glad We are 10 enjoy the blessings OF peace
again. But soon a. We were rid OF the rebels
tie smallpox made its appearance, and still con-
tnues among us. though there have been but few
deaths.
The United States steamer Powhstan. which
went 70 japan to carry the treaty has just re-
tuned AMI brings the intelligence Of severe
earihquake which happened there before their ar
rival. A Russian frigate lying in the harbor at
Simoda was wrecked. The town was destroyed,
ard where some Of Commodore Perrys fleet
cLored is now dry land. This is the report sent
up from the Powhstan, which is yet out at the
mouth OF the river. We shall hear the psrtlcu-
lars soon.
We have also received the news Of the loss Of
the ship Living Age, on the Prattas Shoals. She
left here not .ong since with teas for New-lork.
Crew all saved
40 late news from Tai-Ping-Wong. He confines
his operations 70 the interior The rebels at this
place had nc connection with him On the con-
trsry they were noted gamblers and opium smokers
sins which would cost any Of bis followers their
heads,