, 1858-04-09
Late from China.
CAPTURE OF cANToN-YEH A PRISONER

The San Francisco Herald of March
2Gth, has dates from Hong Kong to Jan
uary 29th, from which paper we copy the
following condensation of intelligence re-
ceived from that quarter The high com
missioner, Governor General Yeh is pris
oner on board II. B. Ms ship IajleriJie.
"The Allies have captured Canton. By
o previous arrival, we received the intelli.
genct that they were in possession of O
portion Of the suburbs, and were preparing
for the assault. At last dates, they were
the undisputed masters of the whole city
and have established sort of Provisional
Government, of which Peh-Kwei, formerly
the Governor of the province, is the Exec
utive, with Council Of British and French
officers to assist him. The Chinese are tC
be governed by their own laws, but vexed
questions and accusations Of violence
against Chinese and foreigners are to be
submitted TO the Commissioners, and grave
matters are to be referred by them to the
Commander-in-C Chief of the allied powers
1t seems that Yeh, after all his braggado
clio, weakened when the time for energetic
action arrived, and scarcely any efforts were
made by him to repel the besiegers. 1t is
said, that previous to the assault, he had
consulted the gods, and from them received
the assurance that no danger need be ap-
prehended-and being a devout Buddhist
he therefore deemed no action necessary
and contented himself by ordering the head;
Of numbers of Chinese to be chopped of
merely for the purpose of demonstrating
that he was still supreme in Canton. 1t i:
probable that no further movement will be
made by the Allies, till the effect which
the capture Of Canton will have upon bis
Celestial Majesty shall have been ascertain.
ed. On this subject, commercial circu,
lar, received by the Daring, remarks:
The allied penipotentiaries keep their councils SC
close, that all information, however much it may bt
entitled to cIedence, caunOt possibly be considered
authentic fully tO be relied upon. II Is, however
pretty well understood that in about two months tmC
the penpOtentiaries OF Great Britain and France will
visit the Peh-ho, taking with them a number Of gun
| boats and a battalion of marines Two Sepoy regi
mens are said to be expected daily from India TO gar
rison Canton, and the French are reinforcing thei
feet with number otManila seamen, engaged for thu
service at Manila
The only question which, at last dates
had arisen to disturb the equanimity Of thu
victors, related to the plunder. 1t seems
that war had never been declared nor O
prize-court established. Tie questions al
Issue are thus stated in an opinion Of on
Admiralty proctor Of eminence, published
in one Of the HOugkong papers:
'Do the operations in the Canton River amount to
war embargo? Are we at war with China or the
Cantonese II with China then all foreign resident,
at the different ports enemies under the doc
trine Of domic and their goods liable to be seized
prize TO Her Majesty. As there has been declara
tion of war there can be prize court, and without
that no prize. The matter remains in effect with the
Government, who may or may not override the law Of
nations and appropriate the captures prizes may
restore them to their Chinese owners"