New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-24
THE CHINESE REBELS.


The following letter, written by gentleman of this
city, now engaged in business in China addressed 10
hs family here will be found TO contain very inter-
eting account of hs personal observations among the
rebels, whose policy with regard TO foreigners and
foreign trade has been the subject of much interest to
thos holding business relations with the Celestial En-
pe and esrecially since the resistance of the iul-
perasts 10 the Allied Powers has rendered the success
of the rebels vastly more probable than heretofore;
SnAgGHAE, Aug. 10, 1860.
have given Il long account by
tits nail Of the position Of Gtiairs at Shanghae Ihey
do not lock very pleasanti but have great faitb IN
tbe Good sense and yeaceable intention toward foreign
eTs Of the rebels in they should attack Shanghae
and do not myself think they viii DO It,.
I promised to give you an account OF my VIII 10
Soo-CbOw, which caused ME to entertain the opinion
which now DO in regard to the " long-hared dynas-
ty," which is coming into power 80 fast Of late:
On the 18th Of last month, IN company with Mr..
S, and Mr.. j, we left here for Soo-Chow, at
about = ?. Tn., and the next evening anchored about
80 niles above Shangbae Just off walled city called
sung-Korg then held by The rebels, and beseged by
large feet and lind force Of ImpeIialists.
Next morning we weie early away, and after pass
ing through several small and very pretty lakes, saw
in tie 5issnce very larke Imperial fleet Of boats,
just below there from 80 to 10 boats who were
afrsid to Iass Il e feet fearful Of being squeezed,
but rvon our passing them they weighed anchor and
followed the lead Of the star-spanglec banner.
Was very glad when we had got safely through
We had e. pected TO get 10 Soo-ChOw by the western
route but found that the creeks were all " staked,
and boats could not pass, we determined to cross the
great Tahoe Lake and enter the Yves; side. On com
nencng ills route we began to See the elects OF civil
war.
Ting-wang, place of $4,000 to $1,000 inhabitants
in ordinary times was completely deserted; nothing
but tie burned walls left and quite number Of skei-
eons lying about; tie creeks and rivers, generally
thrOnged with boats, entirely deserted; tie
fields left harvested, and in fact perfect scene
Of desolaticn prevailed throughout the country.
TIE next day reached Nam-Sing, still held
by he lmIeIiafts, but in Dolly expectation OF an
attack. From here proceeded TO the Taboo Lake
in about eight hours going AZ many miles.
This lake Las side fine looking ranges OF
very high bills and is very long and wide, but only
about four feet deep, and has IN places immense fields
Of lotus. That night We tiled up at lung ing
Sian, and never suffered 30 much from musketOeS
in NY lie. Sleep utter impOsslblll'y, although
Had mus ketocurtains, and we were Obliged towalk
up and down on the bank all night. Next morning
Saturday crossed the lake, and proceeded toward
the western gate OF SOo-ChOw about fifteen mile dis
tant. Here passed several large towns completely
ruined and deserted, and in one place of about mile
in extent, we must have passed between 700 and 800
dead bodies lying in the water putretyng, from which
TIE stencil was 70 bonid it made Us regularly sick.
We reached he walls of SOo-Chow Saturday after
noon at out O'Clock, and rebel officers at
sent on lOaTd to look after u.s. and show us around.
The principal mandarin in charge Of the outside quar-
ter called ulOn us dressed in gorgeous robes, and
wearing bright yellow turban, and was exceedingly
polite.
: We called upon him at bis house, which was the
most elee ant Cbinese mansion have ever seen.
We had requested an interview with the King, and
So at about p m, provided with horses and
guidee and went into the City Of Soo-Chow. large
portion Of the city and all Of It's suburbs rs in ruins,
corpes with very bad odor. After calling another
Mandarin, and being provided with fresh horses
mine was MULE, we proceeded TO the palace and
waited about two hours, when we were admitted TO an
audience. We passed through a very pretty garden,
and were very much taken aback on being us0ered
INTO hand.oine apartment at the upper end of which
sat very Dis niied CLinaman with immense elabo
rate golden upon h head and surrounded by yell
low u baued officers, and famed by little boys. Our
Chin. se endants Immediately went through the hOlc
tt-wl lie we uncovered heads and bowed
the crowned individual making a gesture 10 signify
that he would not require TO knock our heads which,
al Ill same time had not the slightest intention of
doing.
We had expected to see only rather "ao5by"
Mandalian but shis individual with gold and Jewels
was rather more tLan we could manage with ecat, aud
| am afraid that important business did show 10
advantage. We had an interview, however, of about
an hour, during which time had to stand uncovered.
His Majesty the Chung Wong, 7th king in rank, as
sured Of his good feeling toward foreigners general
" and ourselves in partcUar-pressed us TO remain
son etime at Soo-Chow, and when we wen; away TO
take disT aches from him to Shanghae promising an
escort &c, &c.
On taking our leave we were furnished with fresh
hoIses, and got 10 tie city gates about midnight.
The next day did good and profitable trade and
wole requested, by messenger from the KonS-Naug
(ith king, 70 call on hn that evening" accordingly we
started, and through nearly the same perform
anCe excepting that this gentleman although equally
well crowod ard dressed and holding the position Of
4th, instead Of 7th king in the Toe PlHg Empire was
more decidedly polite than the other-rsing, shool;
hands with us all around, said ''good evening"" and
" til DOWN Englisli-furnished us with small
boy each 10 fan us-gtye us lot of prOcIamations,
books &c. and, rising 70 60 insisted upon our
stolIing and rartaking OF watermelon and wine
81 Ook lands again our leaving ard sent his band 10
disc curse sweet music retired fr0m The august
presence.
We Were very much pleased with the people of all
classes that we saw-tbey much finer SPECIMENS
OF men than any other Cli,ese that have ever seen
ard appear 10 be under the complete dsci line of their
officers. After moving round the city wall on Mon
day and seng all the things we took along we left
Soo-thow IN the afternoon preceded by an escort of
go men. Some 30 miles below the city We came 10
lie village OF Eding, where were Obliged 10 an
chOr - the mandarin IN charge refused TO allow Us 10
ass i morning, a. he said he could not yet us "A fur
tler e'ort ill daylight, and TIE DISPATCHES we were
IN charge Of Were too important 10 allow us 10 mn. oar
selves in any danger ~ daylight we left and Tie
next morning passed Queen SEau the lHsr rebel town
few miles further Il small joss-houye and a lot of
villagers came out around ar with pilchforks horse
rGkts, sIears, &C. OF their number beating gong
to summon oilers TO tleir aid. They wished "a, 10
stop, Supporting that wc had rebels on board bat We
fualy induced them 20 let proceed and we reached
Shanghae on the afternoon Of Wednesday, Just rs the
dti, l-gfl cs.I, L..