The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-22
Iuorrespondence II tho n Y nmas.l
INTERESTING FROM CHINA
U. S. STEAMER sAS JAcIxTo,
Hong Kong. China. MAY 10, 1871


Hong Kong China May 10, 1851
Military operations since the departure OF the overland
mail from this place the 25th Of April have been main
ly directed against the pirates which multiply,
and Vegetate in Chinese waters. Her Majesty steamer
Samson has Of late done good service 10 the native and
foreign trade Of China by totally destroying large fleet
Of piratical junks 10 the northward of Annoy send
you account OF the affair clipped from The Friend Cd
China OF the 18th OF April The British with their large
feet of small in these waters doing the
mcrcia world Invaluable service by their operations
against the piracal hordes which have too long been al
lowed to exist and multiply in this part OF the world
With commerce with China exceeding that Of Britains,
and trade Of which fast getting the monopoly,
have failed contribute mite towards the proeo
ton OF our Except in ease forces IN
the East Indies have done eectu service in suppress
sing piracy Let Us have n few small light-draught
here and then actual service viii be done
If Oficered aright) Talleyrnnd instrucng novice n
diplomacy said Co him. above all things sir let there
be no display of zeal What Americans ia China want
display Of zeal but in the right direction less of it
In batteng down forts and of il in the protection
of a valuable commerce.
Movements Of gfenaDe kind have been delayed by
the loss of the gate Raleigh spoken of in my letter Of
the 25th Of April Commodore Keppel, of that vessel
will transfer his flag to the Hong Konga small steam
Grand will forthwith, doubt render material aid
TINT nation which breaches loudly peace earth
and goodwill TO men. From Commodore Keppel much
il expected he being man noted for energy and bold
ness, and, having been this station before has
thorough knowledge of Chinese character than his
colleagues
From the river and in the vicinity Of Canton hear Of
but little of interest The Canton government have
employed divers great expense with view to blow
ing up the British menowar the river An attempt
made few days since to blow up her Majesys brig
Acorn. The attempt not successful the explosion
too soon, by very little the box containing the
powder exploded under her jibboom without doing
any damage After a few attempts the part
OF the Chinese they will no doubt succeed in this line OF
business
There is not single s.assage at arms" TO record be-
The danger to this colony thong Kong is considered by
Gov Bowrng To be over and he has accordingly dismiss
ed the three military magistrates of the place This step
strongly dsapproved of by the residents Of Hong Kong
who are not Ms vet disposed TO fold their and cry
little sleep and little sumber. Ruinor has
it that Yeh is disposed TO treat but il is not credited by
the knowing ones.
The British men-ofwar the Canton river allow the
boats and uks 10 ply and trade usual The trade of
the colony yet in depressed state Macaoa Portu-
guese settlement proted by the war vast trade
having gone into the hands of the Portuguese Of late
Emigration to Australia and California still continues
For the last there ten large ships up.
Rice is high, and apt to be for long time to
Ships arriving with OF the above in any of the
Chinese ports realize large profits Siam now the main
dependence for rice.
1t is reported that there is army of one hundred
thousand rebels In the eastern part Of KwaRg tng
ince led by Chak He has taken the district capitals of
Hoguen and Sung chuen and il in the vicinity of chow
only hundred miles from Canton Another army OF
about many under the leaders To and Hue taking
other villages and district towns, making sad work for
the common people.
From the northern part Cd the empire have late
dntes which inform that the rebels had taken the dis
trct city Of Yuhohan which lies the borders of Ke-
and Chehkeang, the grand route from Howuw to
shanShae, The Emperor's affairs said to be in de-
plorahe state there being money in his treasury he
finds it hard to get the services of soldiers There is
three months pay due his fighting men, with no
prospect of their getting it, This is truey oppor.une
time for English quarrel for il is with Chinese with
others no pay, work "
BY letter received from an officer of the United
States ship Ira dated April 30 learn that the small
pox still continues to rage board of that vessel There
has been up to the above date in ALL twenty eight
and six deaths amongst the The officers had far
escaped the disease A hospital had been established
ashore and it hoped by that means to abate the dis
This vessel is upwards Of sixty short of her
original complement