Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-11

allowed for the selection of the same, and
whore the public surveys have been made and
returned the selections by sections should be
filed in the local land Office, and the fact re-
ported Immediately by the Receiver and Regis
ter to the General Land Office. 81
But should the land containing Salt Springs
be yet unsurveyed, the Commissions directs
that the proper course Of proceeding win be
for the Governor to furnish the Surveyor Cen
eral with the most accurate data he can obtain
descriptive of the locality, and taking q body
Of land in square, as near as may be, in
GLIDING the Salt Spring, and looking to the
four cardinal points in the formation Of the
square. This done before the public surveys,
will enable the Surveyor General to instruct
his deputy to make careful examinations, and
note the Salt Springs certainly and unmis-
takably on his field notes, and thereafter desig-
nate on the township plats the proper section
to which they may belong, and then within
year from the return of the public surveys to
the local Office the six sections in each case may
be set apart finally as selections, 30 as to con-
form to the basis of the public surveys.
The WAR IN CHINA-The following account
of the capture of the forts at the mouth of the
Pei-ho, we copy from the North China Herald,
of May 10Th, which we have received through
the politeness of Purser Gallaher, of the U. 8.
steamer Powhatan, at Shanghai, China:
The attack on the forts took place on the Goth
May. On the previous evening the boats f'om
| the French squadron were lowed by gun boats to
the entrance Of the river and remained there all
night.
On the following morning message was sent
In summOning the garrison to surrender, with 4
guarantee that all should be held intact, and at
the close Of negotiations duly delivered up. Two
hours Were allowed for rePly. None being re-
ceived, as soon az the ehb tide began to make
the Cormorant, leading, advanced to take mp a
position on the north bank beyond the fort most
distant from the feet; ON arriving abreast Of the
first fort, going at full speed, she snapped haw-
ser that had been stretched across the river and
the fort fired shot at her Stsaming on, she run
the gauntlet Of all the forts, from which about
forty guns Were fred at her, without returning
shot and reached the appointed place, when she
commenced in gallant style and kept the fort in
play until the boat division joined her NimIod
followed and opened fire the rst fort, causing
a little diversion and Slaney and Fusee with
the English and French Admirals leading the
gun-bOats into the action, poured in she'll grape,
and rockets.
In fifteen minutes the first fort was silent, and
all the work was transferred to the northernmost
forts on that side and those on the opposite side
Of the river. At noon the English and French
ensigns were flying on all the forts, north and
south Of the entrance to the Pei-hO
The landing party consisted Of 500 men.
The number OF Chinese troops in the forts and
camps is placed at from $1,000 to 10000, and $40
cavalry.
MIR. Reed, United States Minister, is going to
The expedition was to advance to Ten-tsln on
the 22d.
The casualties on the side of the Allies are I'M
haDpily great.
The French had killed. a officers and men;
wounded, officers and 81 men, principally from
the ex plOsion of a magazine
The English had Killed, officer and men
wounded ] officer dangerously and Ii men.
Total killed and wounded IS.
UNcALLED FORA Washington correspond
emit of the New York Times uses the following
language
The most pressing subject in the whole
range OF public affairs IL the war with Paraguay,
which, owing In part to the hesitation OF Mr..
TOucey, and I'm part to the scarcity of vessels, is
not proceeding satisfactorily to the country"
1t may be that some Of those having, or pro-
Tossing to have, claims against Paraguay, or
who expect to be profted in some way or other
by this expedition, are becoming impatient
for it to start to its scene of operations but,
when it is remembered that the appropriation
the naval vessels necessary for its prosecution
were, until quite recently, engaged in the
vicinity Of the West Indies protecting our
merchant marine from aggressions On the part
Of British cruisers, and that there were not
sufficient light draught vessels belonging to
the Government to admit Of bringing an
effective force to bear against Paraguay, in
case resort to force should be requisite we
are confident no right-minded man will deem
either the Administration or Secretary Tousey
obnoxious to the charge Of unnecessary chest
tation" or delay. This matter is one in which
the interests Of the country demand that great
prudence shall be exercised. First, every hon
orable precaution should be used to prevent &.
resort to arms, and if suck an alternative is
forced upon US through the obstinacy or at
tempted prevarication Of Lopez, the means
should be at hand to secure a successful ter
mination of the difficulty in the shortest pos
sible period. The proper plan, then, was to
delay operations until strong and effective
fleet could be sent, and tho Government has
only made such delay as was necessary to ac-
complish this object.