New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-02

The intelligence from China published this morn
ing is in the highest degree interesting. The
American naval forces al Canton have fairly joined
with TIE English flhbusters in their attempts 10
force their way into the Chinese dOminiOns in utter
defiance Of established treaties. On the 18th Of
November last for some reason which is not ex-
planned, the cutter Of the United States steamer
Portsmouth, while proceeding from Whampoi to
Canton, was fired at from the Barrier Forts. No
reason is assigned for this attack and, of course,
the presumption Of tie American commander was
that the firing was wantOn and malicious. Gentle
men OF the Laval species who are thirstDg for an
insult ard very anxious for pretext are not in the
habit Of waiting for an eIplaoaton. There seemed
to be 10 especial hurry, for nobody had been killed
or was in danger of being killed. Nevertheless,
Commodore Armstrong determined upon a bit Of
Irish diplomacy He decided upon taking pos
session of the two forts, and then advising the
Governor of Canton Of what had occurred. lie
accordingly proceeded after this prePosterous
fashion The assault was commenced on Sunday,
the 10Th of November, and the forts were soundly
bombarded until dark. On Monday, the 18th,
diplomacy might be tired with as good effect IA
QunueIy He met Or. Parker, the American Com
missioner, on board The San Jaclnto at noon, and
after due consultation, wrote letter TO the 1mPe-
rial Commissioner demanding satisfaction within
twenty -four hours. The disgust at this delay
among our British allies was, Of course, very great.
Til, China Mai said "leh will, Of course give
explanation enough TO satisfy Dr. Parher-and
"ihete the matter viii rect. We have only TO say
THAT, in our opinion, the attack having been once
commenced, the forts should have been taken,
"eyen il they were not destroyed" CORE
spObdent of Thu Mail was particularly sarcastic
upon cur Commissioner, sty Jog hun The mighty
doctor Peter Parker-that extraordinary con-
pound, ssmi.clcrico, semi-pOlitico, semi medico,
| "stm;-.'
The apparently well meant Efforts OF DR.. Parker 10
preserve peace and the honor of the nation to
have been rendered unavsing, but whether by the
refusal Of Governor leh TO make the proper rcpara-
ton, or whether by the esgerness OF our people %
resume the contest We are not informed Ii has
seemed 10 US that in his past correspondence With
the British authorities Governor leh has shown al
honest desire 10 adjust in an equitable way all eI-
isting differences. That he, in common with sl the
Chinese authorities, has been irritated to the last
degree BY the unnecessary and barbarous lombard
mtnt Of Csntcn is unquestol ably true and the last
proclamation issued by him is Of the most defiant
descrpu,p. To whatever cause may be attributed
the failure of negohatons-and We cannot help
thinking that il may be sttr buted 10 the undue
| haste Of the Americans ~ syenge an lnsult-on
Friday he work Of destruction OF the Barrier Forts
Was commenced b. the boats OF the Portsmouth
and Ievsn,, and was, of course, soon completed
In connection with their allies the Fddlers Reach
Fort, the IslsOd Fort and the Square Fort were
sho destroyed Tie AOng Hong NAL Of Nov. u
SAYS: The Barrier Forts being completely denol-
"ished, the Americans intend 70 retire from the
"Qusrrel, il is said, ,pd wait the issue OF Admiral
"Sty mours demonstration, before again operating
We are very glad the Americans intend 10 re-
tire, but We are equally sorry that they ever en-
gsged in the hostiE,ies at al. A careful review o.
all the evidence has convinced that IN the orgi
nal quarrel tie British commander WAS In The
wrong, ami the Chinese Governor entirely IN Tie
right. We have already detailed the grounds apou
which VT found this belief nor IS il necessary here
to recapitulate them. Leading English journals al
Nit ttat there is in England little sympathy for the
punishment indicted upon Governor Yeh. arising
out If the affair If The Arrows punishment in
yolyiig tie distraction Of millions Of property, an(
thousands Of lives Of sOIne Vsue TO their posse
Tie unfortunate Ctcisl, whose srrnaess would ha7;