Polynesian., 1858-09-04


signed, receiving in exchange for his office seat
in the Senate.
NJ DeIangle, President of the Imperial Court
of Paris, has been appointed Minister of the Inte-
rior.
letter from Constantinople, in the Hamburg
NeIoS, says:
A difference has arisen between the Russian
Embassy and the Grand Vizer on account of in
suits offered by some Turkish scholars to the first
dragoman of the Russian Embassy on the last day
Of the Beiram. NJ. de Boutenieff went in person
to Ali Pacha, who replied evasively Three of
the Turkish ministers went afterwards to explain
matters to the Russian ambassador, but they were
not received.
Hayti.
The Emperor has decreed the erection of Com
mercial Exchange in POrt-au-Prince, and has de-
clared brokers responsible for the genuineness of
the stock, bills of exchange, &C., that they nego-
tiate-not bad idea, in an age of Schylerism.
China.
Frnm the North China Herald" of Nav 90,
we copy the following narrative of the exploits of
the allied forces on the river Peho.
The U. S. S. Mississippi left the Gulf of Peche-
Ii with dispatches from the Allied Ambassadors
to their respective Governments on the 22d. She
fell in with u. s. 5. POwhatan at the Ruggeds and
then proceeded on TO Hongkong. The Powhatan
brought in the packets for Shanghai and leaves
Immediately for the gulf.
The attack on the forts at the mouth of the riv-
er took place ON the Doth inst. On the previous
evening the boats from Calcutta, Pique. Furious
and Fury and from the French Squadron were
towed 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 a
guarantee that all should be held intact and at
the close of negotiations duly delivered up. Two
hours were allow ed for reply. None bein- re-
ceived, as the ebb tide began to make at
ten minutes past 10 O'Clock the COrmOrant lead
ing, advance tn take up position on the north
bank beyond the fort most distant from the fleet;
arriving abreast of the first fort, going at full
speed she snapped a hawser that had been stretch
ed across the river, and the fort fired shot at her
Steaming she run the gauntlet of all the forts,
from which about 40 guns were fired at her,
without returning shot and reached the appoint
ed place, when she commenced in gallant sty lie and
kept the fort in play until the boat division Joined
her. MmrOd followed and opened FIRE on the
southern, that is, the first fort, causing little d.
version and Sidney and FuSee with the English
and French Amirals leading the Gun-boats into
the action poured in shell, grap' and rockets.
In ID minutes the first fort was silent, and all
the work transferred 10 the nprthcrnmost forts
on that side and those on the opposite side of the
river. At noon the English and French Ensgns
flying all the forts, north and south Of the
entrance to the Pei-ho. The shelling was kept
up at intervals for more than two hours after
wards.
The landing party consisted of 800 or 1000
men, French and English. The guns captured
numerous of all sorts and sizes. The forts
will be demolished and Abandoned.
The number Of Chinese troops in the forts and
camps is placed at from 10000 to 10000, and
500 cavalry.
Several suicides had taken place among the
nandarins.
The forces were busy collecting guns and de-
molIShlng forts, a large number of junks, block
lug the river about II miles up, were to be fired
as soon as the food made on the 22d, and fort in
the neighborhood Of them destroyed.
The BeLieaSie, Huspilal-ship, arrived oPpOrtunely
from Hongknng on the Doth
The Surprise is gone back to Ningpo.
Mr.. Reed. L. S. Minister, Is going to Japan.
The expedition to advance to Tien-tSin on
the 22d.
The Tartars are reported to have stood manful-
y to their guns for the short time the fight lasted
The casualties on the side OF the Allies are un-
happily great.
And on June II we read
After the destruction of the forts at Taku the
Gun-b0lts moved up and down the river quietly
as if nothing had occurred. On or about the 9th
utimO the allied Admlra.s, who had gone up to
TIen-tsin, notified to the Ambassadors of their
respective countries that they could advance tn
that civ Lo Elgin and LIE Baron Grns with
their suite then proceeded up the river without
meeting any opposition, and with a flag of truce
landed at Tien-tsin and took up abode prepared
for them. The American and Russian Ministers
accompanied them IN the Russian Steamer America,
the flags of the two nations flying at the mast
heads.
We have vet to learn by what argument other
than bon gre NAL gre, this change i'll the action Of
the Chinese has been affected. and who the Func-
tionary is that is now acknowledged to possess the
required plenary powers to treat with the Ambas-
sadOrs.
We understand a meeting to arrange prelimina-
ries was to take place on tho 9Th, the day the
HSper left.
Affairs at Canton are in a most uneomfp table state
They we're uncomfortable be.ore the news of cap
ture of the forts the mouth Of the Peho-they
more so now for the ancient I'd feeling Of the rab-
bic towards foreigners has received impetus by
not unreasonable idea that the Emperor, after the
knocks at his door, must rejoice all that be done
in opposition to the barbarian But bad things
there is fear they will yet be and it is
seriously incumbent on Westerns, whether visiting or
residing at Canton. to exercise the utmost vigilance
against surprise Impressed with feelings Of alarm ut
the position here indicated, the United States Consul
issued the following notice nearly three weeks ago:
The Undersigned informs American Citizens resi-
dent at Canton aud Whtmpoa that number of braves
are reported to be lurking about Canton suburbs,
looking catch foreigners and solitary,
reports which well informed Chinese do not cons der
entirely groudle, and call for consideration on the
part of 'regners generally
~. S. Consulate, Canton, May 18th, 1861
Friend Of China, June l6.
Fraser River Speculations.
Whatever censure the Hudson's Buy Company
may have been thought worthy of, in at first pro-
hibting free traffic within parton of the terri