Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1855-03-22
CANTON, Jan. IL, 1855.

periai service vas put stop 70 BY the u.
s. Commissioner, Mr.. McI4Ane, who an.
nounced his intention ofinflicting a punish
ment Of three years imprisonment and a
fine OF $4,000 upon any Amer,can who
should accept service under the Chinese
Government. In the early part Of Dscem-
Der, the American and English Ministers
came up to Canton, accompanied by pow
erful fleet of men-of-war. Their attempts
to negotiate with the imperial authorities
were unsuccessful.
On the 30lh ofDecember q desperate at
tack was made OH number of trading
junks lying at whampoa, bya large fleet
OF rebel boats and piratical vessels from
outside. The junks were under convoy Of
few imporaist vessels, which were BY no
means in sufficient force to make an effec.
tual resistance. The fight, however, was
unusually obstinate, and the junks being in
the midst Of the foreign shipping, where
they were supposed probably to be in com
parative safety, great number of foreign
vessels, including mcn-of.war, were struck.
during the action, and several casualties
occurred on board American and English
ships. Not the least interference was at.
tempted by either the American or English
forces. The affair ended with tho capture
and plunder Of the junks, and murder of all
on board, except the women and children,
who were carried off,
On the following day the piratical boats
plundered from alongside American yes.
sells several chop boats laden with cargoes
for said vessels. They were returned next
day upon representation from Captain
Abbott that they were American property
The piratical and rebel forces hold fort in
Blenheim Rold, and have large number
of foreign sailors with them, who joined the
rebel service, after leaving the Imperial,
upon Mr.. McLane's decree. These sailors
head all the attacks, and give very differ
ent tone 10 the fighting from that Of two
months since. The Chinese authorities
have made strong representations to the
foreign Ministers Of the apparent injustice
in not preventing those men from fighting
against the Imperialats, after 30 promptly
forbdding them to take service with them.
At a meeting on the I'd inst, the Ameri'
can residents expressed unanimously their
regret that Capt. Abbot had not thought il
his duty to interfere at Whampoa, when
American life and properly were in such
jeopardy. Also, their apprcbensons for
the future, arising from Tie views express-
cd by Capt. Abbot.
On the 7th the rebel forces, with the aid
of the pirates, approached within 5 miles OF
the factories, plundered and burnt thirty
five junks,and murdered their crews. They
gave notice to the naval commanders that
Caution would be attacked on the 18th ia
slant.
The very large:numbcr of .pira,ical yes.
sells from outside that have joined the rebels
plunder every description of boats between
this and Whampoa, and consequently the
class boats can 10 longer 60 up and down.
Communication with the shipping is kept
up by means of steamers and armed lor-
chers. These pirates, who, when outside
the river. were sought out and dispersed BY
vessels of war, have found that by els they
can commit the Bogue and leagueing with
the rebels they can commit their depreda-
tons with impunity. The leader Of the
gang that holds the fort at Blcnheim Beach
has the nominal command, but the whole
object Of this Iandit,i, ashore and aaoat,
being piunder, they are subject to his or
ders only While such orders encourage or
do not interfere with their maraudings.
We have therefore no prospect of any
amelioration Of the existing state of trade.
Should the rebels take Canton, we cannot
see that there would be any more likelihood
than at present Of the province being tran.
quillized. !, is swarming with gangs Of
armed robbers, under chiefs independent Of
each other, who will resist all attempts at
restraint by their fellow thieves as quickly
as they would these OF the Imperial author.
tiles.
From Shanghae advices are to the lst
instant. The French commodore had de-
clared the city to be in state Of siege, and
partially bombarded it. His proceedings
will probably lead ts the recapture Of the
city by the imperialists, IN event which
would long since have occurred but Tor the
constant aid afforded TO the rebels by for
eigners. Ii is well worthy the attention Of
those engaged in this trade, that at Shang-
hae where the imperialists hold the pro-
vince, there is no interruption to free COM
muncation with the interior, while in this
province, where the rebels have the ascen-
dancy, none can venture to 60 mile from
the city without being plundered, and all
j.