New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-03-31

INTO position, which was not done with The Pcris-
mouth and al next day she lay at the mercy OF inc
fort; but not . shot was fred at us. The Comma
doIe believing from this forbearance that Inc dh
position or the ability OF the forts 70 90 us
further injury was at an eud, directed Capt. Foo'e
to keep the ships in position, and not to re unless
be was fired upon. He then retained, with the gen.
uemen who had accompanied him, 10 the San Js-
cinto and directed letter TO the Imperial Com
missioner complaining of the outrage upon our
flag and informing him OF the redress he had taken
asking an explanation before taking further meas
ures, and giving twenty-tour hours from the time
the letter reached his Exceency for reply. Inc
letter also stated the means be was taking and the
wish be had to preserTe our neutrality.
Before the expiration of the time gwen zen, IL
was reported to the Commodore that the Chinese
were renewing and Strengthening their means of
assault throwing up new batteries, &c, and De
therefore directed them 20 he stopped. Under this
order the firing was renewed on Thursday morning
from ships and very actively from all the forts
II continued with daily assaults by landing parties,
until Saturday morning, When all the forts were In
our possession. Our loss was three men killed by
the enemy, two by accident and nine wounded.
The only man seriously injured on board ship was
the marine shot in the Portsmouth, in the action oil
Sunday. The four men killed by the enemy we're
named Ed Muller, Alfred Turner, Henry
Sand and Msckin. So much for the
war, and now for the diplomacy. An hour
after the firing commenced, and within the "a
hours allowed him, if Canton was the point his COM
municatiOn was to reach, the reply OF Yeh was re-
celveS, but only reached the Commodore that night
1t was cOnciiatory in tone, defiant IN fact DE ex-
expressed good will and moderation OF spirit, but
charged upon us that the gentry Of Cantoa had &C.
eused us of an English alliance; and although he
had taken steps to procure information and explain
alton he could get none. He did not disavow the
act Of the for IS and said that the only security he
could give us would be the advice not to pass the
forts in this excited state of the popular mind. At
the same time the French and Portuguese flags
passed with impunity. In reply to this be was IN.
formed of the reason for renewing an assault all
his good wishes reciprocated, the neutrality OF
the Americans was asserted, and the hostile tenden
cy of his letter was pointed out. This letter was sent
in in English as no translation could be procured.
This be returned without reply. II has been again
sent him, and thus the matter rests. Meantime
the American forces are destroying the forts, be-
cause, if simply taken, with their immense re-
sources they are Immediately reequipped, and 1t is
circulated TAR and wide that men have been
driven Off to the detriment of all future inhu
ence and regulations.
Where the matter Is TO end, none can see. The
squadron here is small and steamers not drawing
over ten feet are needed, if only to act upon
the defensive.
have endeavored to present You with truthful
statement, and have not left out acts which might
be used against the Americans by those seeking to
put them in the wrong.
An interview had by Commodore Armstrong
and DR.. Parker, our Commissioner, with the
British Admiral and Sir John Bowring, has been
much perverted. The conference was confidential,
but assure you our neutral position was main.
tanned, clean and clear Of all other questions, al
liances and complications.