The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-27

An GV i V1tE
ter nation also had several gunboats at anchor inside the
river but below the FORTS from which point this
chorage is distant about eight miles, Newspaper readers
are Of course familiar with tho causes which have thus
collected more than twenty vessels Of 1t the mouth
this river just twelve months SINCE England, France
America and Russia made treaties with China at Tein sing,
and they have returned TO have them ratified. Rus
STA alone Is not represented this me one report telling
us that her Minister already in Pen, and another tina
he had violent death before reaching that city by
his overland via Siberia and Tarary. II now re-
mains to be how shall get up the river via Tein
sing to Pekn and how and by whom the treaties will be
ratified.
In my Hong Kong letter, dated several weeks back,
used words TO the following effect regarding this
coming ratification ,-"I place no confidence in
Chinese professions Of sincerity they do not resist
openly at the mouth Of the Peo they will do secretly
in the Cabinet at Pekin And now want you
how the present aspect Of affairs about the mouth Of the
Peihop points to Chinese dupcy and insincerty to
renewal Of the OF boodshed which were enacted
here thirteen months since by the English aud French
with their gunboats on one sde and by thousands o
Chinese behind their well built but mserably defended
forts on the other Again assert the conviction that
John Chinaman is a minded unsocial and chur
sh rascal and, that to anything from him like
political honesty Of action, the West generally must do
what England is now alone doing, drub him into
healthy state of mind All hail TO John Bull, tho
sibe and fearless gentleman.
This third that Il has been the writer's fortune
engage in attempt "t0 reach Picking by watcr-hs
hopes il may be tho last. He doesn't believe word
Mr. OMpre's sage observation regard 70 luck in odd
numbers" He rather regards that gentleman in the
light Of a humbug In 1854 came past where am
with Mr. Robert McIane. In 1868 managed, thanks TO
English and French guns, to get far Teinsng with
Mr.. VIM. B. Reed. And now, in 1859, have accompa-
MED Mr. John E. Ward thus far towards Pekin and the
indications shall get just about did Mr..
Robert McIane. This is evident case Of zone step
ahead and two back''
Previous to leaving Shanghae had told of the
rebuilding Of the forts in sight Of which we an
chored, but had idea that the work had been en-
gagged in so largely They now seem twice as high
formerly, and said to be much
formidable Ten thousand Tartar troops also said
be behind their walls, and other forts reported
having been built between this and Pekin. All this we
learned yesterday from the English Admiral who, upon
his arrival here sent in gunboat TO examine the river
and report if it clear This vessel found the forts
built the river barricaded by chains and heavy booms
and everything indicative Of another resistance Upon
requesting permission TO pass the barrier refused,
and with this for her commander returned
the Admiral. This was on the 18th inst message
now to the forts demanding that by Monday the
GOTH the barrier should be removed and free pas
sage granted to the English Minister This they pro-
missed to do but Monday evening came and showed only
that the works had been strengthened in the mean
time Another message then the effect that
the previous demand not complied with by certain
time the forts would be atacked-and await
I,o And lila
mount old hobby of mne and indulge in few remarks
regarding the very Notifying and irritating position in
which the profitable but unworthy policy of govern
men last year placed and is again about place. us tho
United States naval officers Of this station.
take the ground that we either have business here
we have not. we have not should be in other
part of the world; and if We have, we should be
just where we are, but with intentions worthy Of
first rate Power and with a force adequate
carry these intentions In other words we should
be here to help England in clearing the road which
duces to the commercial prosperity of the United States
well to that Of John Bull Instead of this, however, we
sent TO strut with ordly air in the Chinese
friendly and retire with depressed tails should they
prove otherwise This is policy unworthy nation of
strength and excessively disgusting to individual
Americans.
July "A fatal and unlocked for calamity has over
taken the prosperity of Western commerce with China
England has thrown her gunboats against the forts Of the
Peiho and been repulsed with terrible loss Three of
thirteen sunk all terribly battered and FIVE out Of twelve
hundred men killed, wounded and missing Such havos
has before befaen attacking squadron "Dont
ask loss - replied the Admras flag capan
when questioned shortly after the b4tle "t is fright
full 10 think about"
The battle came OF the 25th ult, and witnessed
by number of officers who were on board Of the
Toey wan inside the river at the time. 1t the most
desperate fighting that the imagination picture upon
the part Of the English, and premeditated certain cold
booded, relentless and cowardly massacre upon the
part Of the Chinese The former of the at
tackg party and could have had possible idea Of the
strength Of the Notifications against which they ad
yanced and the latter well. protected by heavy
walls Of mud, through which brised two hundred guns
and which the shells seemed bury themselves and
lose the power Of explosion.
Now that it Is all over, apd we have time TO think,
we wonder how it was that more than four thousand
shells should have been thrown at them without ef
fecng breach. If this matter is not satisfactorily
planned you may well sell the granite Of seaboard
Notifications and build others Of mud taken from the bot
of the harbors. Here and there you
knocked of bastion, cart load Of earth blown OF
the face of battery something Of that Sort and shot
holes PLENTIFUL but it is greatly to be doubted if the
forications generally were not as deenslbe AMER the
explosion OF the last shell they had been at the first
OF course will never be known how many Chinese
killed in their forts, but the number supposed be
small perhaps than that of the English them
selves This would Incredible did fail TO con-
slider the safety Of the position from which they pcrpe
raed the massacre but that viewed the only wonder is
that there any killed at all. I'VE have since been
told by the Chinese that several hundreds killed in
the portsl
Engshmen have to blush for the battle Of the
Peho Such indomiabIe courage and logged resistance
as there displayed in themselves sufficient to
fleet the rays Of glory around the semcrcumference of
the GLOBE and dry the tears which will shortly flow
the unburicd dead.