The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-28

Iy leaving two or three dead and probably taking with
them several wounded The bodies of the dead remained
in The the next morning when they were removed
by their conntrymen Previous this attack which was
made In the afternoon several placards had been posted
shout the streets stating that the English barbarans are IN
league with the rebels and oppouens OF the government
that hey grasping In theft characte and
anxious 70 get hold upon Chinese territory and intma
ting that they have suffered in late troubles wih
king attack upon Canton The placards also call on
the Chinese 70 put confidence in the professions OF the
but to unite and resist to the death IN the pro-
lection OF their homes and families.
When the alarm OF the approach of the braves was CIV
the American forces prepared for battle the marines
fell into line the word forward given, and every
thing made ready for an energetic defence OF American
rights and property. We keep yieilant guard and at
every alarm the same precautions taken.
II not till Monday, the 27h, that the firing upon the
city commenced But at one o'clock on thai day the
steamer Bnconnter lying right abreast Of the factories
threw her first she'll which little beyond the gov
ern6rs peec and followed ii up all the afternoon sending
ssver INN rongh The roof * tbs paINcs and no doubt
doing great execution At the Lime the
lying further tho river commenced throwing shell across
the city into the fort and encampment OF the Chinese
troops, situated high hill directly behind the walls.
The firing which had been carried very esurey at ia
tervas Of about eight minutes between the shells ceased at
sunset s# etsri
On Monday appeared the following proclamation, which
was posted about the streets Of the city indebted to
Rev b. French of the American missionaries here
for this literal Translation OF 1t:
1ek governor of the two Kwangs &c, issues
this proclamation. Since the English barbarians have
made an attack upon the provincial city wounding The
troops and the people in the ruthless In
duty bound this proclamation that you all un
tedy seize and destroy them For this purpose issue my
commands all the troops and people in the province
shopmen and citizens that you may fully understand You
must with united strength and heart assist the troops
and militia Every English rascal that you coming on
shore board of the ships making trouble you
yourselves seize Every that is killed
in this after who, promise reward OF $50
for each person. This sentence is somewhat Obscure but
to include the people of all countres The bead
must be brought to my Office for examination Do not
slight this proclamation Let every trembling obey
without opposition. .E eT Gs X. .za
October 81 1862 a
On Tuesday, at o'clock the firing was resumed from the
Duch Folly" fort and directed with the purpose OF effect
ing breach in the walls of the city The Encounter also
continued to dropn shell ten minutes in
the ueghborhood OF the palace This firing had been kept
about hour when IRE broke out In the vicinity o the
palace and began to rage with great violence 1t caught
undout from some Of the shot bred and though not
Intentional did excellent assistance the English by
clearing passage for them from their fort to the walls OF
the city. strong wind blowing at the time; happi-
ly it north wind, and blew the fame towards the
river otherwise the factories might been endangered
although half mile Oft As it was, the English immedi
aey began destroy the houses in aHog Lane and in
the of the factories thereby removing great dam
ger of the fires communicating with them. The fire ragged
till far in the night when the Chinese who by the way are
excellent remen got it well under The firing ceased at
sundown but resumed with considerable vgor at sun
During this day Tuesday, Mr. Perry the United States
CONSUL received from governor Yerk polite notification
that up this time be had refained from making any
systematic resistance the English account of his long
friendship with Them but that matters had TO
such pass that he must measure strength with them ana
shonld accordingly begin feared however that he
should longer be able protect the property OF Amer
cans and hoped that If any damage should accidentally be
done he would hold the English Who by their obst
macy had occasioned these troubles responsible During
the day, ALSO epste OF argumentave nature was
received purporing TO from the gentlemen of the
CITY, in which they reviewed the circumstances OF the
and appealed to the foreign residents which party
in the right Howqua Chinese gentleman of great
wealth. (which has purchased for him the button and
cocks feather Of the first rank Of maDdarns and who s
highly respected by the Foreigners into the factories
early the morning looking very pale and excited and
wishing the admiral Sir Michael however, declined
to receive him. ] suppose that he came simply as
citizen and in his official capacity What his errand
was have not been able to ascertain
On Wednesday the firing was renewed early in the
morning, and kept up with good deal Of spirit until
o'clock, m by which time the shot from the forts with
the assistance Of yesterdays fire. had made sufficient
breach in the WALL and cleared way towards the palace
sufficiently to justify the admiral in landing his forces The
landing party only $50 strong, and consisted alto
gether Of sailors and marines They marched rapidly to-
wards the walls the admiral himself accompanying them,
and planted their flag the walls of Canton-the FIRST
time that European flag has been unfnred in this
great city The honor of planting the flag the good
fortune Of Capt Bate of the brig Bitten who remained
fo much five minutes entirely unsupported and
posed tremendous fire from the Chinese soldiers 10
the streets and the tops Of the houses The party push
ed on however part of them clambering through the
breach in the wall and Others blowing up the city gate
and entering easily with their feldpieces. They
advanced under severe fire 1.-THE dangerous and
CALLING from its irregularity) from the Chinese the
houseops and in the by-rees and themselves returned
il with much spirit and probably with terrible execution
although from the nature of the circumstances, it is mpo
sbe 10 say the loss the other side has been A
ter planting eldpece before the palace and battering
the walls few moments they entered without further op
position and occupied it for hour two, until nearly
sunset when they retreaed for the night As they retired
the Chinese returned and reopened fire upon hem with
effect The total loss OF and marines is three
killed and twelve wounded-four of them perhaps
tally 80.
regret to add that two American officials were
very unduy conspicuous in accompanying the attacking
party and must make special mention of consul from
Hong Kong, General Keenan,, who not only present
himself but took with him OF the of the Lee
want and bore with him also American ag displaying
publicly within the walls and with the personal
age and bravery for which he is distinguished advancing
farther towards the heart Of the city than any other for
eigner narrowly escaping with his life from murderous
FIRE which the Chinese opened upon him. Several other
joined very improperly, In the piliage of the governors
palace The display of flag public and appar
entity committed fully against the Chinese that Cap
tain Foote very promptly and udicously issued the fol-
lowing paper copies of which sent TO the British and
American consuls, and TO Admiral Seymour well TO
General keenan, himself: Hae
The undersigned has been informed that the American
flag this day borne upon the walls of Canton through
the breach effected by the British naval forces This
authorized act is wholly savowed by the undersigned in
order that il may not be regarded compromising in the
least degree the neutrality of the United States.
The United States naval forces here for the special
protection of American interests and the display Of the
American flag any other connexion is hereby forbidden
ANDREW II. FoUTE,
Commanding o. s. Navy senior officer present command
ing U. s. Naval Forces, Canton.
CANTON, CHINA, Wednesday,, Oct 20, 1856.