The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-04-09
state OF Affairs In China.
From the Overland Mail, J

At Canton every thing remains, and Is likely TO remain
quiet powerful military police has been established
rs a patrol with five stations at different points o tho
city while body of Chinese oonstabulag has been i'm
bodied under the directions OF the native authorities
Much misery naturally prevails IN the city but the streets
represented crowded with people whose alarm
seems to have given way to confidence in British procc-
ton Besides shops for the retail OF goods OF cyeyde-
scripion, market has been opened, well supplied with
provisions of all kinds which sold at very reasonable
prices.
We have heard however, from Chinese just returned
from Canton that IA great many people are still moving
away from the city fearing that the Emperor, when he
learns the state OF affairs, VIII he greatly eniase and
send large army to externinate the English lie
says further that Yeh and his father. both higoted
Buddhists had consulted the gods regarding the safety Of
the city and were assured there cause for ieu
and hence the absence of preparation for its defence Our
correspondent adds that sin the joint prooamatiom in
Chinese at Canton the French have the precedence OF
the British - he several issued by the plcnipoten
tiarics and admiras in which Lord Eigins name, IL,
occupied the third place from the right and that OF Baron
Gros hot, the second and consequently Not is looked
upon the principal personagea matter of very tiing
interest bctwixt the allies but evidently OF sufficient
importance the eyes Of the Chinese to attract atlen
ton
Immense depots OF arms have been discovered within
the city containing gnjas, bowsand arrows, shields,
swords spears &C., but all in wrechcd condition, with
every appearance of having lau 10 store for many years
Some hundreds Of coolies have been employed In their
removal but so enormous is the quantity that IL has
Americans made muskets were also found IN stores.
On Monday last the remains of all the Notifications
outside the city walls blown up and not brick left
standing. The simultaneous explosion Of so many mines
Is said to have been magnificent sight
The yamun OF Muh the Tartar general, Is being pre-
pared the maingmrd and for the reception of the
missoncrs but the building found altogether In such
diapidated and filthy state room being occupied
entirely by thousands Of bats which have evidently ten
antcd it for it will take fortnight at least
to put it in habtablc condition. This yamun IL very
much larger than that of Pin kwei and like it consists OF
succession of large -lghtcd comortlcss, empt, rooms
covered with common China paper, and foored with tiles
broken in many places, and through which the mud
squirts up upon passers-by The yards and gardens
are covered with weeds broken BRICKS and rubbish Of
every descriptions and what intended for fish ponds
and mere dirty puddlcs crossed by small ruinous, fan
tastici looking bridges which 20 European, in
good ORDER would look like the play work of parcel of
children.
The dcpredations committed by the river pirates upon
their countrymen have reached such pitch as to be
longer bcarable and therefore Admiral Seymour has
determined to put summary stop to them.
In weekly issue Of yesterday spoke of the block
ade of the Canton river likely to be maintained until
after China New Year. tho tth prox for until the creeks
and passages are cleared Of the dccaocs by which they
are infested il is manifest that trade only be
carried on ut great risk Of life. The animals. however
are evidently in hopes that Commander Fellows will
compsh his task within shorter space OF time for by
Gudte Extraordinary issued last evening, and copy Of
which is enclosed learn that the river will be thrown
open 10th Of February few days before the first day OF
the Chinese moon.