New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-03-27
Bloody Scenes in China.
The correspondent of the Canton Press

from Foochow, Nov. 23d, 1860, says:
The entire community here, native and foreign
has been thrown into state of great excitement
during the last few days, the cause and progress
of which shall try to give you as briefly as can.
You are aware that for some years past feud
has existed between Cantonese and Chinchewise
sailors and lorchamen. This broke out afresh
during June of this current year, and in a much
more formidable form than it had previously
assumed.
Bya willy policy, the warlike lorchas numbering
some twenty-three, were entced to leave this
river. As soon as this was managed, the local
authorities determined hereafter to conine all
Canton lorcha and West Coast boats to the anchor
age at Quontow, about ten or twelve miles below
| the Pagoda station. To carry out this resolution
large body of native militia and marines were
collected, chiefly from Quemoy and Annoy several
war-junks and armed pullaway boats were fitted
up, and the entire force was put under the com.
mand of Commodore Woo, brave and fierce fell
low, dreaded by his own clan as man of war
and hated by Cantonese as a savage villain.
Commodore Woo has been on the watch fully
anticipating the move that this outside foe would
make an attempt to bolt past his station and as
cend the river in collected body. They attempt
ed this last Monday, the 10Th, but found their
match in the Commodore. There sailed past his
guard post three, some say ten Canton lorchas
and ty1noonS; others hanging on outside in case
this detachment succeeded. They were attacked
by the Mandarin force; three were burnt, two ran
up to take refuge at the Pagoda anchorage, and
the rest made out to sea as fast as they could
The remainder of that day was occupied in pur-
suing and capturing the fugitive pirates who had
escaped on Shore Next morning, the GOTH the
Mandarin armed boats were in pursuit of the two
boats that had escaped up the river. They came
up with them about noon, lying in shore at the Pa
CODA There they were attacked; their crews
dashed into the stream to swim ashore, aud while
floating on the water some forty or fifty were
speared and shot; fine sight to be seen for for
eign seamen and residents
Early in the morning of the 2lst, it was evident
TsDY ,1-n[l k5,rn, At,
the huhbub around, that something strange and
exciting had occurred. About O'Clock some of
the Mandarin war boats had come up with two
prizes and two hundred captured pirates. The lat
ter they commenced to land each man under the
guard of at least four marines, bearing drawn
swords, spears, matchlocks or sporting gay flags
The captiyes were in terrible plight, stripped and
naked, hands tied with awful tghtness behind their
backs, and feet scarcely able to walk while they
were driven along with the most barbarous savage
ness. Eight or ten had been beheaded on their
way up the river, and two or three Just as they
were showed on shore, for showing fight and their
reluctance to move on. The heads of these unfor-
Inmates were slung on poles, and swung before the
eyes OF tue remainder as token of what awaited
, them very shortly. When all had been landed
they were marched across the bridge to the north.
ern end and on the way as ii to crafty the public
gaze, the heads of four were deliberately chopped
of, and their corpses flung into the river below. -
But we were surprised in seeing, when it was
supposed all had crossed the bridge a large banl
slowed away again on board these war juuils bound
and tied with double fury, several hands and tails
tied together. No mercy was shown to any. 4
boy Of ten years was pushed in with a naked sword
over his head An aged wretch failed to creep
back TO his boat, and was flung on board to expire
as best he could. Almost all had their wrists so
tightly tied that the flesh WAS eaten into; and the
spectacle brought wildly to nina the fortunes in
tiicted on our c0untrymen in the North over whose
cruel fate there is no one that does not mourn
These armed boats, with cargo of 10 Canton
pirates, showed off to go back to Qulntow to have
them decaptated there; the remaining thirty hay
ing been carried on to the north gate execution
grounds.
Upon this announcement the thick crowd moved
away, and the thronged streets and bridges were
cleared. But that Mandarin move was found
after all to be dodge. At O'Clock the crowd
had been thickenng, and it began to be appre-
hended that the large Canton population here
might rise and attemptthe rescue OF their country
men, who were treated before their very eyes SO
nercilessly and brutally. The maneuvre succeeded
N thinning tho streets, and at q signal the boats
were moved back to their position as ia the MORN
ing, the unfortunate victims were at once landed,
and with the same guard they were hastenad along
I. street OF two miles in length at d0uble-quick
llme to the parade ground outside the south gate.
here some Of the principal officials were seated
at O'Clock, IT tribunal which, without trial or
nnrsIef! was 10 hurry more than one hundred and
my u .leiI fellows into eternity. The work was
SNORT, one after the other the whole LOT were he
heaued,sand IN h9lf m hour the Judges tronns and
staring ar mob were dispersed, Among the cSptyss
Eeven merchants advanced their GaraS%ae " an a
was saved The other died uaGeeded and nnear.
Ing, under the exeeeuttonera knife The eSocn-
upners, q J, whom there were several We'd to sac
VINO could do the largest amnut Of work; ono sno
eeeding in cutting Of sxtythree heads for n i%S
ne wouidreceiveEwhat he would consider . bnrd
some doueeuF as five hundred cash il etyga fGr
each eaput. Commodore Woo, the hero OF the
day, went to the tribunal with blue bntton bmt
returned to his feet with red one, honored ana
applauded by all his eo-mantarips. "''N
~ is worthy OF note that those brganls thatmade
Canton lorchas, did so Just after the ,Iohn SSams
u S. men-of-War, lett the port. >'-'s'
Cover fool with gold and he will pass current. |