, 1859-09-16


The barque Sea Nymph arrived at Victoria
direct from Hong Kong in AZ days, bringing the
China Nail to July 2lst.
Through the British Colonist, which copies
from the Mail, we have intelligence that a new
difficulty had occurred with the Chinese author
tiles, which led to an attack on the Taku Forts
at the mouth of PeiLo river, on the 25th June,
which resulted in the total defeat of the British
force, with a loss Of five gunbOats and four or
five hundred men.
IN the action were - British gun.boats, mount.
ing 80 guns, with about 1000 men, actually en-.
gagged under Admiral Hop, and small French
gun-boat with one gun in the stern. The British
lost 464 killed and wounded. The first battalion
Of Marines, which landed 400 strong, lost l72
killed and wounded. The Chesapeake had 26
killed or missing, and 81 wounded. No hope is
entertained Of the missing bel 6 alive with such
enemies as the Chinese, considering the circum.
stances under which the attack took place. Out
Of small landing party Of 60, the French had
Is killed or wounded.
The British Minister, Mr. Bruce, and NJ. de
BourbelOn, French Minister refused to see the
Chinese Commissioner at Shanghae who nego-
tiated the treaty with Lord Elgin. They declined
to hold any communication till they arrived at
Pekin. Mr.. Bruce delayed till the last moment
al Hong Kong, and only arrived with the French
and American Ministersat the Peiho on the goth,
where the treaty was to be signed at Pekin on
the 26th. Finding it defended by forts, piles
iron bars and chains, Admiral Hope found it
difficult to pass up the Tientsin. They were
informed that the Allied Ministers would be re-
ceived at the northern entrance. Gonernor Gen.
eral Hang arrived at Taku on the oath, and sent
letter to Mr.. Bruce the day before that the
EnNnar haA nkoIh Al.
cial Treasurer to receive all the Ministers, at the
Peho, and conduct them to Pekin; but unfor-
tunately the letter did not come to hand till the
26th, after the action had commenced, when il
was too late to signalize to the Admiral to sus-
pend operations. Hang Is therefore not charged
with treachery.
On the morning Of the 25th, at daylight, an at
tempt was made to pass up the river, but it was
found impossible. After !, p. m, the signal
was run up to prepare for action. No one was
seen In the forts for the hours previous The
PIOrer, with Admiral, pushed up close to the
first barrier, when no sooner had he arrived
there than the mats disappeared as il by magic,
and the whole Of the guns opened fire It was
evident that 10 was not ordinary Chinese artil-
leFy. 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 silenced, when the order was
given to land. Out Of 1000 men who landed,
owing to the deadly fire and the deep mud, but
100 men reached the ditchesi Prodigies Of valor
were performed, but without effect, The order
was given to retreat when more were killed than
10 the advance.
The COromandel was made temporary hos
pital ship, and the scene on her deck was truly
horrible. The belief Is universal that Europeans
manned the Forts as well as Chinese. Men with
close-cropped hair and Russian features were
seen. Two dead bodies aaoat In the river had
incontesdbly Russian features, thought in Chinese
clothes.
The Americans lent generous assistance by
towing with small steamer some Of the boats
into action, from the large ships, and, after Il was
over, BY taking the men on board and treating
them kindly. They are loud in praises Of the
bravery Of the British.