The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-01
FROM EUROPEAN PAPERS.
THE BRITISH EXPEDITION TO CHINA,

TtES-sH, June 4-Tbe day following the capture OF
the forts OF Tngkoo at the mouth of the Peho river,
described In my last letter occupied by the allied
naval commanders chief in denolshng the forts get
ting OIL the guns, and securing position. line of
junks moorcd across the river the village Takoo about
three miles from Tungkoo, served admirably barri
cade against rera should the Chinese resort TO that
favorite mode of attack behind these advanced
gunloats anchored II had been ntimated TO the
Chinese authorities that the capture OF the forts by force
in the event OF their not being peaccaby surrendered
was not intended by the allied governments TO imply
hostile attitude their part towards the Imperial gov
crnnvnt, but was TO be regarded preliminary
uIe rendered necessary TO the safety of the am
bassadoH who in consequence the refusal of the cab
met OF Pckin to treat with them at distance had de-
temned to proceed -sn with the view of putting
themselves Immediately into communication with
the high tunconares of the empire. Indeed the posi-
ton Of -sn at the junction of the Grand Canal and
Peihs river its proximity to Pekin and its Importance
to tks capital ia mercantile point OF view, all
bined to induce the belief that at city in the empire,
with the exception perhaps of Pekin itself, nego-
uations be carried under favorable conditions
The first duty of the naval authorities therefore, after
the taking of the forts to proceed the explora-
ton OF the river for the purpose Of opening the way and
securing safe transit for the allied missions to Tensin
As they anticipated every description of natural and
tcia obstruction and conceived that the Chinese would
offer most violent resistance TO their progress they adj
vanced at first but slowly As they proceeded however,
it became apparent that these fears groness the
river winding through fiat alluyal country with richly
cultivated and partially wooded banks, had average
breadth of about two hundred yards, with depth of
water at half tide ranging from ten feet to forty Villages
were not very numerous and consisted merely of col
lection Of mud hus such grace the banks Of the Nile
SO far from the inhabitants attempting oppose the pro-
grcss Of the allies showing signs Of distrust much
less OF active hostility they collected in crowds upon the
banks prosating themselves with their foreeads to the
ground the first gun boats passed and staring those
following with expression of countenance peculiar to
the in which the most apathy combined with
the extreme of wonder awe The shore was occasionally
Iyfb ,,rin
adopt squattng attitude, looked like of penguins
gazing for the first time upon intrepid Arctic
plorer 1t the first time that the 'sdevil ship of
the barbarians had disturbed the muddy waters of the
Peho that the agitated pant Of 9nhomepower steam
engine had aroused from noonday sicsa the placid in
habitans Of its banks But they did not content them
selves with gazing at worshpping the god of steam
regarding it the precursor Of power destined to
throw the present dynasty and raise itself upon Its ruins
they faced the DEGREES Of fate In spirit worthy nation
which has preserved its existence throughout changing
dynasties for countless ages, and with cries of Hail
great King welcome, oh, King! thou and reign
and be Emperor r. they brought cattle and
poultry and vegetables down presents. The pioneer
OF European civilization in China would fare badly if he
acted the principle of Gneo Donoo On the 25th of
May the Staunch and Busard leading gunboats contain
ing the marines and salarm of the Piquc and Furi
ous under Captains SI Frederick Ncolson and Shcrd Os-
born sighted lien sin and the following day the aduls
in their respective SHIPS, Coromandel and Avalanche,
anchored opposite the town. Thor hitherto
had far exceeded their most sangune expectations that
they pushed beyond Tensin towards Toongchaw the
port OF Pckin and distant only ten miles from that city
The larger gunboats brought to standstl very
shortly after leaving ensn but the Kestra of 4O-horse
power with the ships boats in tow, succeeded in reach
ing village about miles above this town Meantime
other gunboats were employed clearing the unks out OF
the river between Iien-sn and the mouth so as to rem
der it impossible for the Chinese bar egross by
sinking unks. The crowd of these making their escape
in obedience to orders sometimes great to cause
hopeless jam may occasionally be seen inside Tenn
pe Iyasa N a ry I,yifl
out the slightest difficulty operation which the French
admiral had declared impossible unless supported by
land force of 900 men, and which might have been as
successfully undertaken month had obstacles
existed of far gaver character than any which the Chi
have it in their power to nterpose At this time of
year the loss Of that month, the finest in the year. is
most deeply to be regretted. Already have most
disagreeabIe evidence of the proximity and probable
temperature of Pekn summer. AS us the am
bassadors made aware of tho complete of
the admals they determined to follow them to Ien-si
in pursuance of their original intention and reached that
city on the morning of the 30th of May. spacious
temple occasionally used residence by former En-
peror commanding view of the river at its junction
with the grand canal, and opposite the city, appro
priatcd for the accommodation of the French and Eng
sh ambassadors. Numbers of Chinese were in
attendance many of the had been newly paperc
and the work of furnishing up going on brisltly
Baron Gros and Lord Elgn occupy two light and airy pav
ions on the summit of mound assembled by pathway
Of ornamental rockwork, Their respective stafs are
scattered in sundry fragile buildings quaint construc
ton with paper walls, have made their bedrooms in
joss house in which gods and goddesses the principal
articles Of furniture spacious garden, enclosed by
wall surrounds the whole English and French guards
occupy the out houses and stand sentry at the principal
entrances. The national flags float proudly ovcy ALL
and line of gunboats moored within twenty yards
of the windows. These consist present of the Coro-
mantlcl, Cormorant Slaney, and Opossum, (Englsh,)
the Avalanche Fusee, and Dragonne (Frcnch) The
Stalnch, Bustard and kcstrel are anchored u mile
above the town, and the Leven Woodcock and Firm
are somewhere between this and the fleet The Wood
cock and Kestrel (both forty horse power arrived few
days after the capture of Tungkoo party of engineers
have also arrived from Hong Kong in the Sampson,
and engaged in blowing up the forts after which it is
expected they will come here Numerous vamums Of
ford abundant barrack accommodation Notwithstand-
ing the great variation in the temperature (he thenom
cter ranges from G5 deg. to Sc deg in the twentyfour
hours the health of the continues excellent sup
plies abundant, although little reluctance has
been apparent the part of the country people lately in
bringing them in through fear Of mourning the dspea
sure Of the authorities Ice is luxury In which the
Chinese upper classes freely indulge during the
months boats and coolies carrying large blocks Of II
constantly passing and fro and the barbarians
have not been slow to avail themselves Of refreshing
an article of consumption.
The interior of the city has been explored but offers
few attractions to the stranger The streets are broader
than those in the southern Cities the houses poorer and
the curiosity shops not to be discovered Mt all.
The wholesome effect which this movement ON 1ien-sn
has produced upon the Chinese government is already
apparent and has proved satisfactorily the wisdom
of the policy pursued by the representatives of the four
powers which been conduct negotiations at point
as the capital possible to bring that pres
sure TO bear upon the imperial government without