The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-30

TILE SIEGE OF CANTON.

correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer under date
Of December sb gives the following interesting but melan
choly picture Of the condition Of affairs in and around
Canton:
The insurgents making their approaches towards this
city, ard the junction body board the large
sqadrn which has recently passed the south side OF
the island Of Honan with their comrades in sedtion at fuh
shan has placed them in menacing attitude. Reports men
number OF vessels Of all three hundred
attempt made by the imperalsts to stop them at
the barrier In that passage and for three days
last week there skrmshes in which the insu
gents got worsed and they compelled to permit their
opponents proceed the towards Setan and
Fuhshan The mperiaists water have lost pluck very
since their signal defeat the 18th Of
last month"; and firing of their Intellectual warfare There
were few casualties In these skrmishes.
On the north Of the city the troops keep the enemy of
with varied but the country in that direction affords
the insurgents little provision that they stay long
single spot The view northward from the hills the
walls OF the city melancholy and the ruined villages
empty roads and neglected fields show the sad effects Of
civil strife.
The force and around the city consists Manchus
Bannermen infantry and volunteers estimated in all
900 Corps of volunteers and militia here from
Chan chau-u, Fukien province, from Hwui-chau-fu
and from many districts in this prefecture who
been noticed behave Themselves with considerable proprety
Nothing like military drill has been among them
they remain idle in their encampmens until called
tion wander about the streets those from the
procedures find much difficulty making themselves
| stood by the citizens
The confidence reposed in the courage and skill Gov
Yeh and Governor Phi kwe do what be
in resisting these marauders preserving city,
shows concluvey how little the people of sympa-
thze with Chin and Ho and their followers desire such
change of masters these bandt would bring in. Two
months shops and houses has been contributed by
people the call Of the authorities and the landlords
oborne levy released their from paying
during this cessation of trade. The maintenance OF
guards the and other ous defence borne
without much grumblng and there few but will allow
that bad things the capture of the city would de-
stroy everything like security and trade.
''The two parties drawing each other,
that decisive action precipate matters
crisis but it is quite likely that the insurgents will be
compelled to scatter themselves procure subsistence and
thus proong this guerilla warfare indefinitely 1t said
that the insurgents have drawn themselves many the
dsaeced from the neighborn districts that the regions
which disturbed last July comparatively
This probably for the cheapness Of rice in
comparison with meats and fuel meanwhile the harvests
have been mostly gathered in.
The people living between Canton and Fuh shan suf
fering greatly the tadesmen OF the latter city
mostly reduced to beggay by the Tads however hear
nothing of any cooperation with the sufferers though
cessfu effort of the would relieve them all of grievous
burden.
The approach of large body of insurgents has
induced the authorities apply for assistance in putting
then down to the foreign treaty pswers especially England
and the United States The mpernsts have become dis
by the constant fighting of the last fortnight that
they cannot be brought to close quarters.
The plans Of the foreigners you lately alluded
likely nothing and perhaps the imperiasts will
receive aid by the insurgents falling among them
selves reported though, while the prize Of the city
| still in view, doubt any serious alteration"