The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-12-29
THE NEWS FROM CHINA.

The NEW . FhOM CHINA.
By the London Times of the 18th instant we
have fuller particulars respecting the fall of Pskn
We take the following from the Overland Mail of
October 29th:
SIN our last overland we mentioned that the al
lied army was in a hostile attitude, seven eig hit
miles from Pekin, waiting for the siege guns, and
demanded the release of the captives who bad been
taken. There does not seem to have been any
change in the position of matters from the 22d of
September till the Sd of October, when an advance
was made in search of the Tartar army, which on
ly resulted in a few pickets of the enemy being
seen and driven back. On the 9th further ad
vance resulted in an earthwork near Pekin where
no defence made, being taken by our troops
and the Y ueng- min-yuen, Summer Palace of the
Emperor, was taken and completely looted, afford
ing immense spoil
HThe chief Share of the plumber appears to have
fallen to the French, who had the first ransacking
of the rich ornaments, jewels and clocks and watch
es, the rich robes and embroidered Silks of the Son
of Heaven; but a quantity of treasure which was
taken is to be divided between both French and
English. Some privates are said to have sold their
shares for about 10000 francs. The entire British
share, including both treasure and private loot, is
estimated at about $50, coo. Next day, in reply to
demand for the release of the prisoners, MesSrs.
Parkes and Loeb were given up, together with
French officer and seven eight privates Later
letters than those have received bring unfavor-
able accounts in regard to the other prisoners but
they do not appear to speak with authority, nor do
"On the 18th everything was prepared for the
first great event of the war-the assault or the
cupation of Pekin-the unvioated capital of China.
The siege guns and other artillery were in posi-
ton to lombard the town. unless it should be sur
rendered by noon of the 18TH
The general order, issued by Sir Hope Grant,
placed the dispositions for storming the city under
General Napier. All officers and privates were
strictly forbidden to leave the ranks to engage in
plumber, that which should be taken in the palace
being sold for the equal benefit of all ranks.
just before the period given for surrender ex-
pired Hang Chin came out of the city and said the
Allies demands had been acceded to, whereupon
the outer and inner gates were thrown open,
The American and Russian Ministers had follow
ed the army-the former far Pekin.
The province of Swensi, in which the new rebel
lion had broken out lies to the west of the capt.
tai, and the movement, though not known to be
investigated by the Fai-Ping leaders, was regarded
as of much consequence.
Thirty brass Chinese guns, mounted on the walls
of Pekin, were taken by the victcrs. The wall is
60 feet wide and well paved.
Respecting the search Of the Imperial palace, an
extract from private letter says:
"The British army encamped here the 9th
The French on the same evening attacked the En-
peror's summer palace, Yueng -min-yuen, and en-
tered and sacked it, VIII lie the only British troops
present the cavalry and artillery, who were,
by command of the French General, placed in
position to cut off retreating Tartars. There were
none, as the palace was only occupied BY three
hundred eunuchs and thirty to forty men in charge
sstance, when two were killed, and two French
officers wounded. The next day the palace was
! given up to ndiscriminate loot, after the French
had made first selection. They got vast amount
| of jewery, watches, &C., much of which could be
| purchased from them afterwards at very low
prices.
'Letters were found in the palace from Sang -ko-
lin-sin to the Emperor, assuring him OF his conf
dence in being able to annihiate by the arrange
ments he had made on the road at Chang kia-wan,
where the battle of the 18th ult. was fought. He
begged the Emperor to have no apprehensions as
to the results that having ascertained how few our
numbers were, he was confident he could surround
and destroy
"The garrison of Pekin is reported to be 60, 900
to 70 900 men, or eight standards of eight thousand
each; but probably not three-fourths of that num-
Der exist.
"There were few guns on the wall opposite to
our battery and our works for rifemen were ex-
tended to within one hundred and ninety yards OF
| the wall"
Other writers describe the destruction of pro
perty at the Palace as having been immense and
wanton. Every spot was ransacked, and every ar
ticle that could not be carried off, destroyed.
1t is estimated that from 20 900 to 900 articles Of
dress-all exceedingly cOsy-were found therein,
multitudes being tramped on the floor, and others
used as ropes to tie the loads wagons The
French said they destroyed those vauables in re
venge for the barbarous treatment their country
men had received. The sale Of the British portion
of the pos realized S32 000 independent of SCI 00C
in the treasure, distributed prize money.
WEST COAST OF AFRICA.
The steamer Bonny, from the West Coast Of
Africa, arrived at Liverpool on the 18th.
Her Majesty's exploring steamer Pioneer, arrived
at Fernando 70 on the Dist of October, from Eng
land. She left again the 2Sth in tow. of hel
Majesty's steamer Sptfre, bound for the Cape tc
join DIR. Livngstone's exploring expedition on the
Zambesi river.
The King of Dahomey had threatened to attack
Abbeokuta. He continuing his wholesale
sacrifice of human life. The number already muir.
dered at this ceremony amounted to ZOO, and
many more awaited similar fate the King con
sidering that sufficient honor not done to the
memory Of his late father until he had detained the
European traders at Abomey to witness this fearful
custom.
CAPTURE OF A SLAYER,
Her Majesty's ship Industry reached Sierra Leone
on the Goth of November, with troops from the
wreck of Her Majesty's ship Perseverance, Hell
Majesty's ship EspOir arrived on the 2lst of No
vember, having in tow magnificent clipper slave
brig, which she captured in lat. 10 N, long. II Al
w. She fitted for carrying 500 slaves, which
she would have taken board the following
morning. The captain and supercargo had landed
with large of money for the purchase o
slaves. She had slave decks laid and irons Oh
board, also cnppers for cooking rice, and slave ca
for passing the slaves through the surf. W hei
| toLa nct,aE had or col Iarn Darn