The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-04-14


UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP MISSISSIPPI,
Or WHAMPoA Jan. IA, 1883. }
x,,n,,s of Theat,icals on Board the United State
Steamship Missppi-Gyani Masonic Bltt at Hong ko'
Fsfaniieide IN China Degraded Coalition Of the o
men-2ae Coolie Tade-Abolitioaia Hgpocisy-A meSi
cam Claims against China-A Brush nth the Chimes
Braves de-
Since the of my last business has remained prett,
much in dull that has marked ii for the las
year The Allies still hold to Caution, and up TO thi
time there is sign of the city being turned to tn
Chinese government Their troops and gunboats still re
main on duty with their small and guns of arg
calibre, ready to commence the work Of death AZ mo
nents warsng.
Within the past fortnight weather has chang
cd 70 extreme cold wooen clothes aud pea jackets hlv
become welcome. While all pretty comfortable.
situated board of vessel with plenty of wholesom
SDod and beds 10 sleep there thousands
Of poor Chinese people, whose only habtatons are in the
Ill constructed and miserable looking sanpans or boats
that abound in this river who are on the eve OF sarva
tion-some being almost in state OF nudity, for the
want of clothing to their persons and to protect
them from the cold weather Our ship 10 daily surround
I'd with of these boats, with their living freight
OF men, women and children, eagerly watching for the
refuse food usually thrown overheard after meals
are over This being noticed by humane captain he
and he had clothes collected among the aud dstri-
buted among these unfortunate people Not less than
nfeen twenty families are thus daily made happy oy
the noble Of the good old Mississippi God bless herl
she good ship and every cruise she has made she
has always been the means Of doing good, either gu
large small scale.
rhe ships waiting freight in the river remain the same
"a the date Of my ship sent two II is
earnestly hoped that after the China New Year com.
menoes business will revive. Mr.. Casey OF Newto W.
who has resided here ten years, says he has
guch dull time BEFORE
me LIST instant will long be remembered by all on
Beard OF this ship The DAY ouiy observed and in
The evening had grand theatrical performance by
The Mississippi Amateurs" The forward part of the
spar deck from the foremost appropriated for the
stage temporary being erected and the seats
from the foremost TO the hurricane deck Tne
stage and the whole ship, far aft manmast were
most elegantly decorated with flags, paintings, Sc
whole arrangement being under general IN iaager-Mr
Samuel A. Stone armorers mate. The programme
veil got up, and bore the following headng:-"Ai
Worlds q Sage-Non Stbi, Sed Onnibus-We Strive
70 Please" Nearly all the officers Of the ffgase Pow
Aatan, the English ships of war, and the OTHERS Of
the shipping in the river, present. Mt
laae hour highly pleased with the Performance, which
consisted OF overture by the band followed by the
play Of Bombases Furioso, laughabie ineriude, the
"S,hoolmaster and His Pupils" negro songs &C. The
whole affair well arranged, and English guests
declared that the acting equal to that which they
in many theatres Our large party Of invited guests
well entertained with refreshments at the close of
The performances.
l have taken flying visit up to the city of Canton
There plainly all the mseres war All along
the river and the neghpohood the city the eye rests
upon the ruins Of what noble forts
70 have been sufficiently strong 70 protect the city from
Invasion The dongs OF the year that they
not and they now lay in one mass Of RUBBISH dis
naned Of their guns, &C. while the city itself is under
martial law and possession Of the allied troops Turn
right left and you catch view OF ruined factory or
dwelling which has been destroyed by the various shell
ipgH joss houses and pagodas destroyed in Same
manner. Shamun in the western suburbs nearly ruin
ed. This done by the French several months ago.
and the place remains as the French left it, presenting
one sad picture of horror and gloom.
The population of Canton is varously estimated
three millions, and a large majority OF them very
wealthy Of the leading mand irins are said 10
he worth from fifteen millions Of dollars Having
enough Of the sights Of Carton, returned 10 the
chip satisfied that the allies will have hard task
matters 90 rights in this country II they hold on
until the indemnity money is pad they will have long
stop here, and it is not unlikely that difficulties will
be constantly occurring.
Wharnpoa and New Town are very good looking places
situated the island Of Whampoa, about thirteen
miles from Canton considerable trade IN the silk aud
Grape shawl line Is carried on IN the former place,
which, as we'll New Town. TO be found our own
oountrymen located in business Both places abound
houses and pagodas, and, like all the other Chinese
tpwns they dirty, with streets, aud a.
fepstye odor sautes your nostrils at every
Bamboo Town on another island, two miles below TIE
former The principal business done there Is With the
large fleet of shipping which constantly laying in the
river The passage the canton beautiful:
Islands each side some OF winch are well covered with
and other foliage and the various forts they
lay In ruins add much TO the beauty Of the Be
Pre- you in the distance is to be Mount rycockon and
Ann1choy peak, which Ia fifteen hundred feet high the
top which, with the aid ofhe glass appears be pretty
we'll covered with foliage In the river exclusive OF
the Barrier forts are eight forts which have bs SUBJ
dued by the allies which mounted at the time Of the
attack with four hundred AMI seventy five guns varying
IN cabrefrom ten TO thirteen inch bore At New Town the
Americans have three very snug docks ia which any
merchant ship ordinary sized shpof be hauled
In for repairs; the English have ALEC As
eye penetrate with the glass into the Interior
1nding country appears be in high of cutva
top On each side Of the river to be beautiful
and rice 1eds. The climate is not considered good
here at Hong Kong. Dysenery, darrhea and fever
anda Qu a
Our time, as you must suppose, passes away rather
slow, have nothing TO but the different
shipmasters and their ladies, making flying visits
any quantity of Chinese junks and boats ply up and
down the river. The evenings generally pass of
dancing and singing.
The flag ship left here on the Sd inst for Macao to give
the crew liberty That over, she was then to proceed
Siam or Manila, which port however, was not known.
When Commodore Tatnall left the LIST, he made MS
0na inspection visit 10 this ship. Toe old hero puts all
through regular course Of sprouts in the way Of drill
both with guns small arms. Madam rumor states
that the English and French, well as the Russian
government TO send nbassadors TO Pekn The
general inquiry 10 as 10 our envoy who is the lucky man.
and when he Is likely to come Whoever he may be he
should be of good judgment and capable Of CON-
manding the respect due his rank He should be
man. short late Minister Mr.. Reed has LETT
behind him the best impression upon the Chinese.
The tea crop reported to be very large but owing
the disturbed state Of the country and the fears Of the
rebels does not reach the city very rapidly Many OF
the ships ing here have been here several months
and will have 10 remain long time yet before they
get full cargoes Three English aud one French shp left
last week. unable obtain expected cargoes others
will probably do the same. The ship Sarah " SNOW OF
Boston, expects TO be able 10 commence taking board
her cargo Of tea &c, in aaout two days happy to
gtate that Captain Smith spoken Of in my former letter
n being seriously ILL., Is now in fair way of being
at his post, but he intends 10 his native
State, as he finds this climate injurious 10 him.
The Masonic lodges OF Hong Kong gave grand ball a,
That place few evenings since. II reported thai, was
che most magnificent affair Of the kind that has ever taken
place In this country. Our Naval StoreWeeper Mr.
6peeden also gave grand entertainment his residence
fow evenings since. II quite brilliant affair and
was well attended by all the Americans and Europeans
now sojourning in Hong Kong
Infanticde appears TO be quite this country
party left this ship few days ago Cunning excur-
among the beautiful woods whampoa, and during
their travel OF four hours they in contact
with six dead children, varying from two three
% year two old lying in the woods where they had
probably been left by their unnatural mothers Some
them had been partially devoured either by the dogs
hogs, which constantly proving about for game
The morals Of China are 10 a very low state man is
allowed to turn his wife of whenever he gets tired OF hsr
and take another one without any form Of divorces pr
vege which not allowed TO the poor females. Again,
married man Is permitted TO keep the society OF any other
women he may select and cohabt with them and there Is
NO law 70 punish him for doing If married woman.