, 1859-09-16
The British and French again at War with
the Chinese.
Total Defeat Of The British 1gih loss Of
AGA Haled and Uoundd.


The U. S. NJ steamer Julia arrived here this morn
ing at I o'clock from Victoria. Purser LOWELL has
again favored US with files OF Victoria and San Fran
cisco papers. The British steamer Forlrood had ar
rived at Victoria from San Francisco having sailed
the 6th inst The papers Of that city contain news
from the States by the Overland Mail to Aug. 18th
and from Europe to Aug.S. There is nothing of very
great importance. We will give the details next
week.
We are indebted to L. D. DuRGN, Esq, for the Brit
ish Coionist lith inst and TO Freeman & Co. anj
Wells, Fargo Co. for San Francisco papers Of the
81 inst
We clip the following exciting news from China
from the British CoiOnist of the nth inst
BY the arrival Of the bark Sea Nmyph, Siege, com
mander, in ~ days from Hong Kong, we have the
Chinese .HaH to July 2lst.
From the lIIi we have the lamentable intelligence
that new difficulty had occurred with the Chinest
authorities which led to au attack the Taku Forts
at the mouth Of PeihO river on the 2jth June which
resulted in the total defeat Of the British force with
loss of gun boats and four or five hundred men.
In the action were II British gun boats, mounting
30 guns, with about 900 men actually engaged un
der Admiral Hope, and a small French gun boat with
one gun in the stern. The British lost AGA killed and
wounded The first Battalion of Marines which land
ed 400 strong lost l72 killed and wounded. The
Chesapeake had 26 killed or missing, and "a wounded
The gun boats lost 30 killed and wounded. No hope
is entertained of the missing being alive with such
enemies as the Chinese, considering the circumstance.
under which the attack took place. Out Of a small
landing party Of 90 the French had Is killed Ol
wounded.
The British Minister, Mr.. Bruce, and NJ. de Bourbe
lOn French Minister, refused to the Chinese Com
missioner at Shanghae who negotiated the treaty witt
Lord Elgin. They declined to hold any cOnmunica
tiOn till they arrived at Pekn. Mr. Bruce delayed til
the last moment at-Aong Kong and only arrived with
the French and American Ministers at the Peiho OIL
the 20th where the treaty was to be signed at Pekir
the 26th Finding il defended by forts, piles, iror
bars and chains, Admiral Hope found il difficult t.
pass up the Tientsin They were informed that the
Allied Ministers would be received at the northern en-
trance. Governor General Hang arrived at Taku on
the 2lth, and sent letter to Mr.. Bruce the day be
fore that the Emperor had appointed hmselGsand the
Provincial Treasurer to receive all the Ministers, al
the Peiho, aud conduct them to Pekiu but unfortu
naely the letter did not to hand till the 25th
after the action had commenced when it was too att
to signalize TO the Admiral to suspend operations
Hang is there fore not charged with treachery.
On the morning of the 15th, at daylight an attempt
made to pass up the river, but it was found i'm
passabe. After NJ, the signal was run up to pre-
pare for action No one was seen In the Forts fol
the hours previous. The Pi0uer, with Admiral
pushed up close to the first barrier when soOnel
had he arrived there than the masts disappeared i
! by magic and the whole Of the guns opened fire. II
was evident that was not OrdiQary Chinese artillery
For two hours the bombardment was kept up, but with
little effect on the mud walls though every Chinese
shot told. After o'clock the fire was almost silenc
ed when the order was given TO land. Out Of 1000
men who landed, owing to the deadly fire and deer
mud, but 100 men reached the bitches. Prodigies o.
valor were performed but without effect. The orde
was given to retreat when were killed than il
| the advance.
The Coromandel was made a temporary hospita
ship, and the scene her deck truly Horrible
The belief is universal that Europeans manned th
4 Forts we'll as Chinese. Men with close croppe,
hair and Russian features were seen. Two dea'
bodies aloat in the river had incontestibly RUSSIA
features though in Chinese clothes.
i The Americans lent generous assistance by tow
ing with small steamer some Of the boats into nc
ton, from the large ships and after it was over b.
taking the men on board and treating them kindly
They loud in praises Of the bravery Of the British
| The British and French Ministers had returned Il
Shanghae. The American remained in the North
Requisition has been made on the Govemor-Genera
of india for assistance to force the passage.