, 1858-03-19
important from China.

Weekly Herald, has dates from Hong
Kong, to January 2nd-received in that
city per Clipper-ship Jos. Peabody.
The news from China is Of unusual i'm
portance, but our space will not permit US
to give it in detail There eau be now no
doubt but that the war has there commenc-
ed in solid earnest The city of Canton has
been besieged and bombarded The Brit
ish and French forces have combined, and
act oStensibly as allies The propositions
for peace, submitted by the allies, has been
rejected by Commissioner YEH The ut
most secresy continued to be observed.
The demands of the Allies are said to have been
The cesson Of the Island of HOnGm--the payment Of
two millions dollars decentralization for losses sustain
ed by foreigners the entrance into the city OF Canton
and the immediate resumption Of Trade. The dOcu-
ment stated that Yehs replies were, that Honam be-
longed to private indvduas-i they wished to sell it
and the Allies wished to buy it the Chinese Govern
indemnity, the Allies should pay the Chinese and not
the Chinese the Ales-that the Allies might enter
the city II they could and that there nothing he
was so anxious for as the resumption of trade II
treaty Tight-as Honam was promised in l847, (under
suitable conditons) and both parties wished trade
resumed the only subject Of difference, according to
Yeh's own showing, was the indemnifcaton. Instead
Of showing any spirit Of accommodation regarding
this point Yeh aggravated the defiant posture he
lected by placing the walls the heads Of six British
sailors whom the Chinese had overpOwered when strag
Cling. Furthermore the American envoy disclaming
all part in the QUARREL sent the Of friend
ship which the United States Government had instruct
ed His Excellency to convey, but experienced an in
sulting reply.
After the termination Of YEH had been
ascsrtained, the bombardmsnt Of the city
was determined upon.
The first step of the Allies was to occu-
py Honam, an island opposite the site Of
the foreign factories where the principal
paek-houses are situated. The small island
on which the fort known as Dutch Folly
stood, (which structure had been entirely
removed by the Chinese, was next occupi-
ed. Heavy mortars were landed there, but
still there was neither resistance nor oppo-
sition from the Chinese. In fact, Yeh
would neither fight, fly, nor come to terms
The Allied Plenipotentiaries, whilst they
devoted their energies to induce Yeh to
come to terms, took great pains TO issue
proclamations to the people, warning them
away. This had the effect desired, and the
population left under the guns Of the Allies
in thousands.
The day Of grace was extended again
and again-the warnings were disseminated
far and wide, until the time had come when
the Allies had simply the choice of yielding
to Yeh, Of assaultng the city or Of bonn
harding it. The last course was selected.
THE ASSAULT.
The French and English naval brigades
advanced on Monday forenoon and took
Fort Lin.
The advance on the Magazine or City
Hill fort, as it is variously termed, took
place at 8 A. NJ, yesterday
Cough Fort was taken between 2 and 8
Pm
The bombardment was to be renewed
during the night with greater severity.
The destruction Of China life is not
known, but as the Admiral humaneIy de-
layed commencing operations until it was
apparent that all who desired to leave had
left, it is supposed that the loss Of life has
been comparatively small for such city.
THE ALLIES IN CANTON.
The Tartar portion of the city was in the
occupation of the Allies. Sir Michael
Seymour had taken up the Generalissimo's
palace as bis head quarters. Strong par
ties Of our troops traverse the city in all
directions without molestation. The Tar
tars have hed-the Braves are dispersed,
and Yeh could not be heard Of.
The bombardment and entrance Of the
city occurred between the Goth and 3Oth
Of December The loss of the allies was
very small, as the Chinese could not be
brought to e formal engagement. One
Fronch officer and several French soldiers
were wounded. Capt BATES, of the British
army was killed, and Lieut.. Lord GlLFoRD,
wounded, with q number Of soldiers. Five
Seamen were killed, and sixteen severely
injured by the explosion (through careless
ness, } Of q store-house, attached to mag
azine, containing quantity of powder
CHINA AT WAR WITH RUssA.-NoL the
least interesting intelligence from China is
proclamation Of the Emperor, which in
effect amounts to an announcement OF the
fact that China is at war with Russia, in
relation to the Amoor River country,