Bellevue gazette. [volume] (Bellevue City, N.T. [i.e. Neb.]) 1856-1858, 1857-03-12
ROmbardmeni of Canton by the
British Fleet.

The intercourse between the British
authorities and the Governor Of Canton
has for some time been embarrassed with
growing difficulties, the result of the un-
redresSed grievances of British merchants.
On the S,h of october the Chinese author
tiles consmnma,od their career Of arbrilra-
ry violence, by Selling a lo.cha under
British %colorS, and made prisoners of the
crew. /: is stated, on good authority,
that they cut off the heads Of four of the
crew.
The consul sent in a strong r2rIonstrance
to Yeh, the Governor of the city, TO which
no answer was returned. Finding all his
Efforts vain a naval force o appeared
on the scene.
On the 18Th Of October. Sir Michael
Seymour dispatched from Hon Kong, the
screw corvette Encounter, ii guns, and
the steam sloop Sampson, g., for Nhampoa
III the first instance with a larL, force of
marines and blue jackets; and the steam
sloop Barracuda followed wish further de-
tachnents.
The river in front of Canton is rather
broader than the Thames at London
bridge, but the depth of the water does
not exceed two fathomS, while the narrow
"assages by which access is gained to it
on the eastern side Of the island of Wham-
poa, have a depth not exceeding a fathom
and half. The city is externally guar
ded Ply five forts, of which two are on the
land side, and two on Pearl river.
These were attacked and taken on the
Oath of October. An attempt was then
made by Admiral Seymour 10 terminate
the difficulty without farther hoSlilities, but
the Chinese Governor would neither give
satisfaction nor grant an interview to the
British Commander. Admiral Seymour
then determined to attack the city. A
wall, composed partly of sand stone and
partly of brick, surrounds Canton. Ii is
about 30 feet high and 25 feet thick, and
is mounted with cannon Against this wall
a fire was directed on the 57th of October
and by the 29th, a practicable breach had
been opened, through which the troops
entered. The Governors palace, situate
in the south western part Of the new city,
was gained, but appears not to have prov
ed a position worth holding. for the troops
were Withdrawn in the evening, with a
loss of only three killed and twelve woun-
ded.
A farther attempt which was now made
to negotiate proved vain, and il was then
resolved to attack the old inner, or Man
chou portion of the city, divided from the
southern, by a high massive stone wall
and containing the garrison of Canton
This part of the city was bombarded or
the Sd and attn of November, and on the
9th, the Barracuda destroyed twenty three
war junks. Another interval of reflection
was then granted to the Chinese Governor
but at the date of the last accounts from
Canton, which had reached Hong Kong
no signs of an accommodation was discern.
able.
The imperialist garrison of Canton wa:
in a very weakened state. The Governor
had raised the pay of common soldier;
from 6 to s dollars a month. Kawelin-foC
the capital of the adjoining province o.
Kwangsi, was closely invested by the in
surgents, who, it was thought would prob
ably attack the Manchou governor as sool
as his new embarrassmets became
known.