American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-21

f.
24th, being nine days later intelligence
than that received by the last mail.
The most stirring events have been
an insane attack by Imperialists on
boats from United States ships of war,
and the we'll merited punishment which
followed the firing on them
"The Barrier Forts being entirely
demolished, the Americans intend to
retire from the quarrel, it is said, and
wait the issue of Admiral Seymour's
demonstration before again operating.
The French have also withdrawn their
men of wars men from the factories,
and, report has it, have taken posses
sion of the Liptal Forts on one of the
branches of the river. These they in
tend holding pending the arrangement
of some matters which they, too, have
TO present to the government Of China
the recent cruel torture and murder of
the missionary Chapdelaine havingyet
40 be explained to the authority quail
stiea toreceive the cxplanation-M. dc
Montl gny--now on his way here from
IOchlH yuma.
disappointed in the hope of bring
sing the Canton Government to proper
sense of duty by the harsh means re-
ported in our last summary, Admiral
Seymour now relies, apparently, and
with reason, on coercion by the people.
With this, or some such view, his Ex-
cellcncy is intrencIeing the foreign
quarter, has had captured junks filled
with the remains of demolished forts,
and is sinking them in those parts Of
the river where danger from fire RATS
has to be apprehended--booming off
those tracks which it may be found ne
cessary to open on an early occasion.
Every native boat that approaches the
factories is fred on, though, few since
the Niger has been guard-sI1ip, have
had the tcmerity to come within reach
of her unsparing sEarpshooters.
"a covered way from the British fac
tory to the southwest corner of the ci-
/, ty wall is in contemplation, too, it isre-
ported, SO rendering the next attack on
tho citys work of comparative ease &
safety. In place of the withdrawn
French and American guards, some
companies of her Majesty 59th Regi-
ment have been sent hence, though few
are required, 100 English bayonets--
properly disposed, being quite sufficient
to keep at bay as many Chinese. as can
he brought against them, on the land
side; and it would be quite possible for
Admiral Seymour, even with the force
at present under his control, to take
possession of and to hold securely all
that quarter of the new city extending
west from the Governor Gcnoral's 8 off
cial residence, and northup to the wall
of the old city, distant but few yards
from the extremity of the building spo-
ken OF. ..U -.
''As specimen of Yeh's still con-
tinuod obstinacy, we give below the last
'edict.
"Proclamation.---Ych, Governor
General of the two Kwang, issues this
edict for the soldiers and people Since
| have taken charge of my Office have
been indebted to you-thc people,
You have looked upon me as your fa-
cher and / have looked upon you as
children. Four years ago the rebels
rose in several hundreds of thousands
md you ventured with united strength
20 resist them, which was very merito-
rjous, not leaving fragment Of their
Tcmains. Even until now you have
manifested your merits in behalf Of the
country.
"Now the barbarian rebels have raj.
sed disturbances, attacking our hoav-
enly dynasty, destroying forts, burn
ing Che shops, and making war on the ci-
ty. The anxiety on this account has
entered into my very bones and mar
row; and your united wrath too, has
been aroused. Now, [ have received
the Imperial commands "frmly to hold
and resolutely to fight and maintain
the war from the public Treasury, to
blockade the river and sea, and to
sweep out every fragment" You must
in behalf of the empire, exert your
strength as brave soldiers, in order that
not fragment of the foreign robbers
may remain. In case there should be
any speaking of peace, the speaker
shall be dealt with according to martial
law. Did / not love the people as chill.
dron, the barbarian rebels certainly
would deceive them. You must be
faithful and, with pure heart, trcmb.
iingly obey"
"Capt,D'e Of the B@vtcy Forts by
He dmerjcaas. The future plans Of
operations having been agreed upon by
the three commanders, early on Friday
morning the Cumfa towcd the Lcvant