The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-14

O. E. Roberts, Esq., az Consul in place Of Mr.. Keenan,
TO this port handled pretty roughly by the editor
of the Dale Pres, Of Hong Kong and the editor
takes occasion to fire few shots ut government
upon the system Of appointing consus. l Also en-
close to you correct list of all the naval forces
Of all nations in the Chinese waters, including
gun boats, the number OF guns of all the ships
and ganboats, amounting in all to 974 guns, in these
waters. The total number of vessels OF war you will
see are "A. of which II are mounted with from two
to eighty guns
The news from Canton is unimportant. Business
at this place is about the same az it was at the date
OF my last. large feet of merchant ships, includ
ing any quantity Of Chinese junks, are lying here
some of which have been here long time, waiting
for freight, and the probability is that they
tbe blockade before Canton is removed and
there is not much likelihood of that event
taking place very soon And as we
remain neutral and have had nothing to do in the
taking of the place, We certainly have nothing SAY
in regard to the time when the blockade shall he
raised. Since this war commenced our excellent Min
lister has caused circular to be published in which he
cautions in very strong Language our merchants and
the masters of American ships not to engage in
the cooe trade. lie tells them that by the laws OF
Congress every owner and master who shall en-
gage in the trade is liable to be prosecuted and
dealt with the same if he was engaged in the
African slave trade This has thrown a damper on
OF the masters plans az several ships, no doubt,
are waiting to transport coolies to South America.
know Of better way to communicate to
You the health Of this ship than to give
you the footing Of the surgeons sick
report, it has been sent into the captain for the
last three mornings, which reads thus:-Admitted, o.
discharged, O; total sick, o.
Rear Admiral Sir NJ. Seymour arrived here this
morning from Canton We hoisted the English flag
at our fore and saluted him with thirteen guns
which was returned from the Calcutta eighty gun
ship. We learn from passenger who arrived
here in the steamer from Canton this morning
that thing remains quiet; that it is well known
in that city that the Chinese outside of the city
mastering their forces to attack the English
troops in Canton, and the next mail may bring
you the tdings OF another battle between the
cOntending parties. There is considerable sickness
in the English squadron in the river, arising from
dysentery and diarrhGa. There is not much doubt
but that OF squadron will be sent up to Whau
poa Immediately after Commodore Tatnall takes
charge of the squadron, And all those who feel in
terested in relations with this country may rest
assured that that gallant and brave officer will main
tain the honor of the United States.
The following were the ships of war, including
gun boats Of all nations in the Chinese seas, 18th
of January, 1865, their names, rig, number of guns
and commanders. Our own squadron will shortly be
increased by the sloop Germantown and steamer
Powhatan, both of which are soon expected to
arrive in this port On the arrival of the latter the
San Jacnto will return home, and our squadron will
consist of the two steam figates and two soops ex-
elusive of the Minnesota -
BRITISH GUN BOATS ON THE RIVER.